Despite growing evidence that criminalizing policies are associated with poor health outcomes and inclusive policies are associated with improved outcomes, little is known about the mechanisms by which policy influences individual health through behavior, perceptions, or attitudes.

The Research on Immigrant Health and State Policy (RIGHTS) Study seeks to understand the experiences of Californians who were born in Asia or Latin America as they seek health care, go to work and school, and engage in their communities. My colleagues at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and I are studying how the state’s policies and programs shape these experiences and how such experiences influence people’s ability to seek the health care they need. Learn more about our latest papers on my Publications page and about the RIGHTS Study at our website.