The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73430

Carmen Nevarez, MD, MPH, Medical Director and Vice President for External Relations, Public Health Institute, 2001 Addison, Suite 200, Oakland, CA 94704-1103, 510-644-8200, CRNevarez@phi.org

The March 2004 California primary election ballot will contain an initiative measure that prohibits the collection or use of any race, ethnicity or national origin data by all California public institutions. A limited exemption for "medical research subjects and patients" has been included.

California is the nation's largest state that no longer has a racial/ethnic majority. Important information that advances science, assists in the wise investment of public dollars, and assists communities and health workers in addressing racial and ethnic health disparities will be lost if the initiative becomes law.

This session will address key issues in the intiative, including impacts on government, communities and the development of a broadbased campaign coalition that is attempting to build statewide awareness of these impacts.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• List the major impacts of the initiative on public health data sources.
• Discuss potential impacts of the elimination of data on race, ethnicity and national origin on public health.
• Articulate potential impacts of similar initiative efforts in other states when they appear.

Keywords: Data Collection, Health Disparities

Related Web page: www.informedcalifornia.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.