Nothing About Us Without Us: Can Area-Based Social Indices Effectively Advance Health Equity?

Policymakers can use area-based social indices to target interventions and mitigate health disparities for communities of color, LGBTQ+, and individuals with disabilities. Drawing from an analysis of California's COVID-19 response strategies, which relied on social indices to address COVID-19 inequities, this report outlines the strengths, limitations, and important considerations for using area-based social indices to reduce health disparities. It also provides fifteen recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of using social indices.