The Urban Spatial Structure and Pandemic Inequalities

Add to calendar

More than 1 million Angelenos have been infected with COVID-19, and more than 4 out of 5 of those cases have been racial and ethnic minorities. Prior to COVID-19, the urban spatial structure — the geographic location of people and activities and the ways they are connected — has played a fundamental role in the production of a systematic web of interlocking race and class inequalities. The pandemic has further exacerbated these disparities.

Paul Ong, PhD, director of the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge, has taken an empirical approach and looks at available pre-pandemic analytical tools used by public agencies such as the CDC. The tools he found had limited accuracy and consistency in identifying the residential spaces of disadvantaged racial and ethnic groups, particularly smaller groups like NHPIs, American Indians, and various Asian subgroups.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, October 30, 2025

Training Webinar // 12:00 PM — 1:30 PM

California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) Data User Training: October 30, 2025

Join the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research as we host a data user training on Thursday, October 30 to demonstrate how to use CHIS' free online health query tool AskCHIS™ to get data on a wide range of health topics.

Read more

Thursday, November 06, 2025

Webinar // 9:00 AM — 10:00 AM

Data Equity Center Information Session for State Data Leaders

Join the UCLA Data Equity Center at an informational webinar on Thursday, November 6, to learn more about a newly-launched program that will provide technical assistance to a cohort of states working to improve their data quality and integrity.

Read more