Health Equity & Social Justice

When SNAP benefits were paused on Nov. 1, millions of people were left without cash assistance to buy food. To fill the gap, restaurants like Al Pastor Papi began offering free meals to CalFresh (SNAP) recipients, food banks expanded deliveries and the city launched a philanthropy-backed partnership to distribute one-time prepaid grocery cards, but advocates warn that these pauses are only a preview of looming, long-term federal cuts that could push more than half a million Californians into food insecurity, with no quick rebound in sight.

Chinese immigrant mothers in Southern California seeking care face language barriers, billing fights and fear of using public benefits. Many instead are turning to community clinics and informal networks.

The quality of care can vary vastly between two clinics only 20 miles apart. Adrienne Bryant learned this the hard way after a recent mammogram.

Substance use and mental health are driving preventable maternal deaths in Oregon, as fragile, underfunded programs struggle to support pregnant people, especially Black and Indigenous parents.

Part Three of The Mercury’s Pulse Check series explores how reduction of Ryan White funding could mean increased spread of the disease and new challenges for those living with it.

In Part Two of The Mercury’s Pulse Check series, we explore how hospitals, clinics and nonprofits are grappling with various federal funding cuts to public health.

In Part One of the Mercury’s Pulse Check series, we examine the challenges that were roiling the state health department even before this year’s federal cuts introduced new hurdles, and how officials are responding.

The verdict highlights the challenges of holding detention center staff accountable for alleged abuse, advocates say.