COVID-19

COVID-19’s Lasting Effects on Brain and Mind

Heather Tirado Gilligan

Behavioral Health

Stories That Caught Our Attention: Brain shrinkage, inflammation, genetic changes, and impaired circuitry are likely causes of the mysterious "brain fog" experienced by many COVID-19 patients and contributing to the expected surge in demand for mental health care.

Black, Hispanic Americans Suffer Most in Biggest Decline in Life Expectancy Since WWII

Health Equity, Behavioral Health, Homelessness & Health Care, Maternal Health

The pandemic threatens the long-term health of people devastated by the loss of jobs, homes, and opportunities for the future.

ACA Health Insurance Enrollment Sets New Record

Heather Tirado Gilligan

Expanding Health Coverage

Stories That Caught Our Attention: Experts say total Affordable Care plan signups were probably undercounted because of data-gathering limitations.

Community Health Centers’ Journey Through the Pandemic

Health Care Costs

This collection highlights the financial challenges faced by California's Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they adapted to keep serving patients. It also highlights policy changes that are needed to stabilize FQHCs so they can continue to play their vital role in providing care to Californians with low incomes.

Risky Business: California Health Centers Weakened by the COVID-19 Pandemic Prepare for the Future

Carol Backstrom, Lauren Block, Allison Coleman

Telehealth, Workforce

California's Federally Qualified Health Centers experienced many financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report summarizes policy options that have the potential to improve FQHC stability, address health equity, and ensure access to a broader range of services in the long term.

Economic Factors Are Shaping Individual Vaccine Decisions, Polling Suggests

Heather Tirado Gilligan

Stories That Caught Our Attention: Months into the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in California, groups of people who seem to have little in common continue to lag in getting their shots.

A Call for Meaningful Change

Behavioral Health, Telehealth, Health Equity, Workforce

'Listening to Californians with Low Incomes' report sounds alarm on deteriorating mental health.

¡Hablemos! Let’s Talk About the COVID-19 Vaccines

Xenia Shih Bion

Latinx doctors, nurses, and promotoras answer common questions in English and Spanish about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Listening to Californians with Low Incomes: How They Experience the Health Care System and What It Means for the Future

Jen Joynt, Lucy Rabinowitz, Rebecca Catterson

Telehealth, Workforce, Medi-Cal

Explore key findings and implications for the future from a statewide survey of California residents with low incomes who received care between March 2019 and August 2020. The survey included an oversampling of residents with low incomes.

Nurses at High Risk for Suicide: ‘I Just Wanted All of It to Stop’

Heather Tirado Gilligan

Workforce, Behavioral Health

Stories That Caught Our Attention: Among health care workers, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated two key risk factors for suicide — work-related stressors and mental health problems.

Why the Time Has Come for Statewide Data Exchange in California

Data Exchange, Health Equity, Investing in Innovation

The ability to share appropriate health data will be critical as the state moves forward with its CalAIM initiative.

COVID-19 Tracking Poll, May 2021: Views from California Health Care Providers on the Front Lines

Goodwin Simon Strategic Research

Telehealth, Behavioral Health

This statewide survey of health care providers assesses their mental health and morale, the pandemic's financial impact on their practices, and providers' view of California's readiness for futures emergencies.

California Statewide Survey on Homelessness

Homelessness & Health Care

CHCF, in collaboration with the Blue Shield of California Foundation, is funding an 18- to 24-month research project that aims to improve understanding of the immediate precipitants of homelessness and barriers to exiting homelessness in California.

Some Face Dire Consequences for Delaying Care During Pandemic

Heather Tirado Gilligan

Health Equity, Telehealth

Stories That Caught Our Attention: Delayed preventive care and screenings are expected to take a devastating toll on some patients and families.

Clinics Respond to Anti-Asian Hate with Many Kinds of Support

Xenia Shih Bion

Health Equity, Behavioral Health

Health centers serve as care providers, social services connectors, and community advocates, and they stepped up to help patients navigate the tribulations of the COVID-19 era.