All Californians deserve the opportunity to reach their best health. Health equity means ensuring people have what they need to be healthy. Yet too many Californians face steep barriers to care, based on who they are, where they live, and how much they earn.

We invest in programs, research, and policies that remove those barriers and improve the health care system for everyone.

On this page, explore our subtopics and read our featured and recent publishing.

Essential Resources on Health Equity

Woman conducting an informational interview via video call.

In Their Own Words: How Undocumented Californians Are Navigating Medi-Cal Changes and Immigration Enforcement

Based on interviews with 39 undocumented Californians, this report examines how Medi-Cal policy changes and immigration enforcement are shaping health care decisions, coverage stability, trust, and access to care.

Our Approach

CHCF is working to make the health care system more fair and inclusive for all Californians. We drive change through multiple strategies, including using data to monitor inequity and improvement, developing policies and best practices that remove barriers to access, ensuring the workforce reflects California’s diversity, and supporting organizations that foster community resilience.

Why This Work Matters

California is one of the most culturally diverse states in the nation — and one where health care disparities exist. These aren’t gaps that close on their own.

The stakes are significant. When people cannot get the care they need because of the size of their paycheck or the language they speak, it leads to more preventable illness, increases costs across the system, and undermines the well-being of entire communities.

When we make the health care system work better for those Californians facing the biggest challenges, we make it more effective for everyone.

Recently Published