Listening to Black Californians is a three-phase study to understand Black Californians’ experiences of racism and the powerful influence it yields over their health care and outcomes. This project identifies policy actions and practice changes at the clinical, administrative, and training levels that policymakers and health system leaders can take to eliminate the impact of racism on Black Californians’ experiences in health care and to improve their health outcomes.

In Phase I of the study, 100 Black Californians were interviewed about their views on health, their experiences with racism and health care, and their perspectives on quality health care. Interviewees, who ranged in age from 18 to 86 and resided in locations across the state, were selected to represent the diversity of Black Californians. Interviews were conducted from June to August 2021.

Phase II of Listening to Black Californians comprised 18 focus groups with Black Californians and key health care stakeholders. The focus group discussions explored, in depth, participants’ experiences with racism and health care as well as participants’ thoughts about specific recommendations for improving the health care system. The focus groups were held in November and December 2021.

The third and final phase of the study was a statewide survey of 3,325 Black Californians, designed to assess the extent to which the Phase I and Phase II findings are represented in the general Black Californian population. The survey is one of the largest-scale surveys to date focused on the health care experiences of Black Californians. It was conducted from March to May 2022.

EVITARUS, a Black-owned public opinion research firm in Los Angeles, conducted the research. An advisory group composed of academics, policymakers, providers, and community advocates guided the study.

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For more information, please contact Katherine Haynes.

Read about CHCF’s approach to building health equity in California.