Vote NO on Proposition 54

Vote NO on Proposition 54
Proposition 54--known on the California recall ballot as the Classification by Race, Ethnicity, Color or National Origin Initiative--would prohibit state agencies from collecting and analyzing data on race, ethnicity, color and national origin. Data on race and ethnicity is vital in identifying disparities in health and education, and in efficiently targeting resources to underserved populations.

We believe children's health will be jeopardized if this measure passes. Please join us in opposing this ballot initiative.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Prop 54 Jeopardizes Children's Health
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Please join me in publicly opposing Proposition 54. This initiative jeopardizes children's health by prohibiting the collection of data according to race, ethnicity, color and national origin. Such information can be vital in directing health outreach efforts appropriately to help children and families.
Just one example of how this information is used to improve children's health is the California Department of Health Services' Black Infant Health Program, which was created in response to African American infants' high rate of infant mortality, low rate of early prenatal care and high rate of low-birthweight infants. Since the program was implemented, the percentage of African American mothers receiving early prenatal care has increased significantly and the infant mortality rate has dropped.
Culturally-appropriate outreach services are critical to improving outcomes among various racial and ethnic groups. Data on race and ethnicity also are critical for efficient use of state resources, which is particularly necessary during California's current economic crisis.
Please speak out about the danger that Proposition 54 poses to our state's children. I urge you to vote no on Proposition 54 and encourage other constituents to do the same. California cannot afford to lose the progress that has been made in eliminating disparities and improving the lives of all children.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
September 16, 2003

Background Information

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Proposition 54 was originally scheduled to appear on the October 7 recall ballot. Although the recall election may be postponed by the courts, there is still a good chance that the election will take place as originally planned. We will post updated election information following a final decision by the courts on Monday, September 22. Be prepared to defeat Proposition 54!

Please join us in opposing Proposition 54 by taking the following steps:

1. Register to vote by September 22, 2003 at: http://www.myvotecounts.ca.gov/.

2. Vote NO on Proposition 54.

3. Take action from this Web site to oppose Proposition 54

4. Tell your friends why they should vote no on Proposition 54

The examples below illustrate how data on race and ethnicity can be vital in directing health outreach efforts appropriately to help children and families:

In San Francisco, a school-based survey of parents in the predominantly minority neighborhoods of Bayview and Hunters Point found that local children had a rate of asthma that was double the national average. Children in this area were twice as likely to be hospitalized with asthma-related problems as children in the rest of San Francisco. By combining these findings with information on the racial and ethnic make-up of the neighborhoods, local community groups were able to partner with the city Department of Public Health to develop a grassroots education campaign on asthma and environmental issues. Information on race and national origin made outreach and education more effective and allowed researchers to identify a pattern of existing environmental problems in similar communities of color in the Bay Area.
In San Diego, a district-wide survey of youth conducted by local schools found that Filipina teenage girls had the highest rate of suicidal thoughts, even though they did not exhibit other typical indicators of suicide risk. In response to this problem, the Union of Pan Asian Communities, a local service organization, was able to develop a successful suicide prevention program that specifically targeted Filipina teens.
In the early 1990s, African American infants had a mortality rate that was more than twice the rate of other infants (16.4 deaths per 1,000 births in 1991 compared to 7.5 per 1,000 births overall). In response to this problem, the California Department of Health Services implemented a Black Infant Health Program in 17 counties with large African American populations. Since the program began, the percentage of African American mothers receiving early prenatal care—instrumental in promoting good health—has improved, and the infant mortality rate dropped to 12.1 deaths per 1,000 births in 2001. Collecting such data on race helps the state monitor improvement and reveals that, despite some progress, more work must be done to eliminate racial disparities.

Thanks for your support!