Sacramento, Calif. – On September 28, 2024, Senate Bill 1016, the Latino & Indigenous Health Disparities Reduction Act by Majority Leader Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) was signed into law by the Governor. The legislation will require the state’s health department to collect and detail health data specific to Latino and Indigenous Mesoamerican subgroups, enabling a more accurate understanding of their unique health needs. By moving policy and research away from generalized, aggregated data, SB 1016 will help save lives and prevent poor health outcomes for these communities, ensuring they have access to vital health services. 

"Latinos and Indigenous Mesoamericans are vibrant and diverse communities, each with unique health needs," said Majority Leader Gonzalez. “Every Latino deserves to be seen, heard, and represented in our healthcare system, especially in the data that drives resource allocation. With the Latino and Indigenous Health Disparities Reduction Act our state is making significant strides toward health equity for all Californians. I am grateful to Governor Newsom for signing this bill into law, and also extend my heartfelt thanks to the many community advocates who have championed this cause and continue to fight tirelessly for health equity in our communities.” 

“We applaud the Governor’s decision to support SB 1016. This demonstrates the incredible leadership of our California legislature in doubling down on its commitment to protect the Latine and Indigenous communities of our Golden State. Data equity can save lives, and collecting and disaggregating data for a community that represents 40% of the California population and contributes $83 billion in state taxes is not only the right thing to do but a sound economic decision,” said Dr. Seciah Aquino, Executive Director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. “Today gets us one step closer to the north star of health equity. Thank you to Governor Newsom for joining us in advancing this fight for justice!”

“We have all done so much work to get here to this very moment and we are incredibly grateful that the Governor has signed SB 1016 into law,” said Arcenio J. Lopez, Executive Director of the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP). “This decision is a major milestone in recognizing the thriving Indigenous Mesoamerican communities in California. Our voices have been heard, and we are thrilled to see this crucial step toward data equity and justice, ensuring that the Indigenous community is fully represented and supported. Thank you to the Governor for listening to our voices!”

“SB 1016 is the first approach at the State level that attempts to capture our presence, not as Latinos or Hispanics, but as First Nations,” said Dr. Sarait Martinez, Executive Director for Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indigena Oaxaqueño (CBDIO). “Disaggregating data is a crucial step for agencies to learn about the cultural and linguistic diversity of the communities they serve and a first step to ensure that they are working to respect the fundamental right of individuals to receive information and services in the language they understand and prefer. I am thankful to the Governor for signing this important bill into law, beginning to create the change we need for our communities.”

“We believe SB 1016 will significantly improve the lives of Indigenous communities that are integral to California’s social fabric,” said Odilia Romero, Executive Director, Comunidades Indigenas en Liderazgo. “Disaggregating data is crucial to creating an inclusive health system that acknowledges our presence in this state and country. We are thrilled that the bill has been signed, and we thank Governor Newsom for signing it and ensuring that Indigenous communities have better access to the health resources they need.”

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Majority Leader Gonzalez represents the 33rd Senate District, which encompasses the City of Long Beach and portions of South Los Angeles and Southeast Los Angeles, including the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, Signal Hill, and South Gate. In the Senate, she advocates for working families and champions various priorities, such as fighting for a clean environment, digital equity, LGBTQ+ and women's rights, and the economic prosperity of small businesses. Her landmark legislative achievements include bills enacted to end neighborhood oil drilling, provide broadband for all, and expand paid sick leave. Majority Leader Gonzalez also serves as Vice Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. She lives in Long Beach with her family. To learn more about Majority Leader Gonzalez, visit her website at www.sen.ca.gov/gonzalez. 

Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC)— is the leading statewide policy organization with a specific emphasis on Latino health. For over 30 years, LCHC has worked on transforming systems to achieve Latinx health justice. We pride ourselves in translating community solutions into equitable policy and lasting change. Learn more at: www.LCHC.org 

Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) — is the leading Indigenous migrant organization on California’s Central Coast. For over 20 years, MICOP has worked on addressing inequities in health and language access through advocacy and outreach. We envision a strong indigenous immigrant community actively engaged to achieve just working and living conditions, equality, and full human rights in the broader community. Learn more at: www.mixteco.org 

Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño (CBDIO), is an Indigenous women-led organization building power in the Indigenous communities from southern Mexico in the Central Valley and Central Coast for almost 30 years. Our mission is to foster and strengthen the civic participation, economic, social, cultural development of the indigenous communities, as well as the resistance of the indigenous communities. Learn more at: www.centrobinacional.org

Comunidades Indigenas en Liderazgo (CIELO) is an Indigenous women-led, intergenerational organization that is combating racism towards Indigenous people by bringing visibility and resources to the Indigenous migrant communities. CIELO creates substantive solutions to the social, economic, and cultural challenges faced by the Indigenous community. We work on language revitalization by creating new spaces of engagement with Indigenous languages for younger generations. Learn more at: https://mycielo.org/