Erika Marquez (Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy) and Melva Thompson-Robinson (Center for Health Disparities Research) led a team that published the Environmental Scan of Region IX: An Access to Health Care Report , which takes a look at factors that promote and impede health equity. It is the first of its kind to examine issues around access to health care across the American Southwest, which includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Pacific territories.

The report presents challenges, opportunities, and next steps for access to care in the region. It highlights the various aspects of diversity within the region as well as limited health insurance coverage of unauthorized persons. This document overall provides a baseline of access to care within the region that can be shared with stakeholders, with the hope of development and implementation of activities to improve access to care within the region.