Partially because of the systemic injustice and discrimination we have faced over the past century, American Indians and Alaskan Natives are at greater risk of being victims of violence then any other race. Colonization plays a major role in why these disparities exist.
With the constant stream of tragedies stemming from domestic violence people often ask, “What could have been done to prevent this from happening?” The reality is that a staggering 5.78 million Californians experience domestic violence every year. Domestic violence homicides in public places put entire communities at risk of harm. And yet, we know much can be done to prevent these deaths which devastate families and communities.
Health care advocates are always working on ways to make sure Medicaid is around to help people living in poverty. This is a good thing, but I also think it’s important to ask: Why do so many people require Medicaid? Why are so many people living and working in poverty? Why are we not working on more ways to lift people out of destitution?
We’ve heard the individual stories, tagged #MeToo and #TimesUp on social media. But what about the collective cost of sexual assault?
Research we published last month shows that the annual cost of sexual violence in California is $140 billion.
Los Angeles has at least 328 motels with a combined 10,259 rooms.
And on any given night, the city struggles to find shelter for nearly 35,000 people, many of whom have chronic health issues.
In Los Angeles, and across much of California, affordable housing is scarce and can result in domestic violence victims staying in abusive relationships simply because there is nowhere else for them to live. No one should have to choose between homelessness and staying in a violent home.
As the only openly HIV-positive public official in San Francisco, I applaud Gov. Jerry Brown for signing into law Senate Bill 239, which modernizes the outdated HIV criminalization laws in California.
Recent federal budget conversations are putting these programs that California seniors rely on at risk.
There’s still debate over which programs work best in California, and how to help the most amount of people in a cost-effective way. I say: If you want to know how to help Latino seniors, start by asking them.
In-Home Supportive Services is California’s major in-home care program for people with disabilities. But what happens when the person who needs the care doesn’t have a home where services can be provided?
Norma has been working since she was a teenager. She started working as a farmworker, then became a cannery worker and now works in childcare. Now at 60 years old, she is unsure if she “will ever be able to retire.” Her story is illustrative of the challenges that Latino seniors face trying to afford retirement, health care, food and housing.