Health Equity & Social Justice

How young is too young for a child to be charged as an adult? 

Former legislator Cheryl Brown is the two-time chair of the California Commission on Aging. She took part in the advisory committee for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Master Plan for Aging and continues to serve on its Equity Advisory Committee on Aging and Disability. She discusses California's master plan on aging, and notes that “equity is about ensuring that we intentionally uplift the voices of people who are underrepresented, underserved and unheard." That includes communities of color.

Californians are living longer and the state’s aging population has forced policymakers to focus more on the growing ranks of older adults as they plan for the state’s future. Black experts in the field want to ensure that African American seniors aren’t left out of the conversation. Representation in research and recruitment in academia matters, but these remain huge unsolved challenges.

Also this week: Early window key for tackling long-term health inequities, and disparities in orthopedics affect everything from outpatient visits to post-surgery outcomes.

A new database from Spotlight PA makes it easier to track how Pennsylvania counties are spending tens of millions from their first rounds of opioid settlement payments.

Why are so many seniors in Central California's San Louis Obispo County facing homelessness in 2024? The first in a three-part series.

While anyone can develop dementia, the disease affects African Americans at significantly higher rates than whites.

An early look at how the election may reshape U.S. health policy under Trump, from Medicaid to abortion to major changes at federal agencies.

Also this week: Studies find birth weight impacts infant mortality more than physician's race; and transgender youth "highly satisfied" with gender-affirming care.

A reporting team turns to makes use of silicone wristbands that can detect up to 75 types of pesticides to gauge farmworkers' exposure to toxic chemicals.