Healing California

The Center for Health Journalism has teamed with ethnic media organizations in California to report together on health equity, immigrant health, community well-being and gaps in health care in a unique collaborative learning effort. Learn more about the initiative here

By
Jian Zhao

In the San Gabriel Valley, boarding houses for vulnerable Chinese immigrants in search of affordable housing have operated for years. For new arrivals, these places are often the first stop. For elders, they can become the last. Some have lived in the same rooming houses for decades, resigned to conditions others would never accept. These rooming houses are cramped, unsafe, and undignified. Yet they are also a fragile safety net, keeping many elders from ending up on the street.

By
Mariana Duran

Health care providers in San Francisco are taking note of a growing interest in acupuncture among Latinos. In January 2025, the Mission Neighborhood Health Center (MNHC) opened its first acupuncture clinic in the Mission District, offering free and sliding-scale services. Appointments are now booked almost two months in advance. Many are middle-aged Latinos working low-paying, labor intensive jobs and Acupuncture helps them manage workplace injuries and chronic pain from years of hard labor. 

By
Carlos Alberto Trestini

Cuts to the food assistance program CalFresh in California could impact more than 735,000 beneficiaries. Latinos make up about 55% of all participants, making the program critical to address food insecurity within the community. These families often face disproportionate challenges in affording food, and program cuts could have a significant negative impact.

By
Jian Zhao

When both her children came out as queer, Janice Lee struggled initially to accept, but it didn’t take her long to come to terms with it. She read a lot and made the effort to learn about sexuality and gender identities. In many Asian households, changes are taking place, as parents challenge long-standing patterns of shame and silence around LGBTQ+ identity.