Mona Shah

Stories open hearts. Data opens eyes. Sports fans are paying attention. Research shows most fans support athletes and teams who take a stand on social issues. Use these insights to shape how you communicate, reach fans where they are, and...

As a sports fan, I’m inspired when athletes use their platforms for equity & justice. And as a researcher, I love seeing new data showing most Americans feel the same. For more, check out this new study from PerryUndem & @rwjf.org around narrative change through sports:
www.rwjf.org/en/insights/...

Map of the United States showing the share of veterans ages 19 and older enrolled in Medicaid by state, categorized in three groups: 6%-8%, 9%-12% and 13%-15%. States are color-coded. Source: KFF estimates based on the 2023 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates

The share of veterans enrolled in Medicaid varies across states, ranging from as low as 6% in North Dakota and New Hampshire to as high as 15% in Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, and New York. https://on.kff.org/4p2i3Vl

Millions rely on Medicaid and Marketplace coverage for birth control — from the pill to IUDs to hormonal treatments.

Cutting these programs = cutting off access to essential care.

Birth control IS health care.
#ThxBirthControl

The Partnership to Advance Transformation in Higher Ed (PATH) launched a national study on how recent policy changes are shaping campus life for students, faculty & staff. If you’re 18+ & currently at a U.S. college, you can take part here: qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_...

Policy Solutions for an Affordable Future Everyday Americans are worried about the cost of living, and more than 60 percent feel prices are heading in the wrong direction. American life has become mo…

The data might not be encouraging, but there are solutions! @urbaninstitute.bsky.social’s companion brief lays out dozens of ways policymakers can help make life more affordable for their communities: www.urban.org/apps/policy-...

The American Affordability Tracker Timely data on Americans’ finances and the cost of basic needs by state and congressional district.

Check it out:
www.urban.org/data-tools/a...

Rising costs for childcare, housing & healthcare are hitting families hard. @urbaninstitute.bsky.social created the American Affordability Tracker to show policymakers what it really costs to live securely in every state & district and help inform policy decisions.

700+ NIH grants have been forced to remove words like “equity,” “disparities,” and references to race or gender. These changes shift the meaning, direction, and impact of the study. Learn more about how these requirements are placing researchers in a lose-lose situation.
bit.ly/3Lz4IW0

US Trans Survey The  U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS) is the largest survey devoted to the lives and experiences of transgender people across the United States. The USTS was created by trans people, for trans people.

The US Trans Survey by @transequality.bsky.social is one of many great sources that journalists can draw on to better understand trans communities. Paired with direct quotes from trans people, it helps ensure reporting is accurate, grounded, and reflective of lived experience. ustranssurvey.org

How journalists covered the attack on trans rights in Trump's first 100 days Trans perspectives were rarely present in articles about the consequences federal actions would have on their lives, according to an analysis conducted by Berkeley Media Studies Group in partnership w...

A new study from @transjournalists.org and Berkeley Media Studies Group found that in a sample of news stories about attacks on trans people, 70% did not quote a single trans person. www.transjournalists.org/tja-bmsg-exe...

YouTube video by ABC10 $500-a-month program helped Sacramento families gain stability, study finds

"A new Sacramento State report shows giving low-income families $500 a month for one year significantly improved their financial and food security."

‘A Big Positive’: How One Company Plans to Profit From Medicaid Cuts

An excellent piece of journalism here from the New York Times about just one large vendor, Equifax, who will profit from the new Medicaid work requirement that will cause people who desperately need health insurance to lose it while for profit companies benefit.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/h...

Wondering where health care policy is going (and how we got here?) Check out my wide-ranging conversation with @princeton.edu grad and @tcfdotorg.bsky.social senior fellow @chiquitabl.bsky.social, former CMS administrator.

Cities could dramatically cut childhood poverty with new tax credits, research finds • Stateline Child tax credits are becoming more popular across the country, with more than a dozen states offering them as financial relief toward the cost of raising kids. But new research suggests cities could ...

New research from @itep.org shows cities could cut child poverty by up to 25% by offering just $1,000 or less per year to families with low incomes.

Small investment ➡️Huge return for families, communities, and local economies.
stateline.org/2025/10/24/c...

Paid Family Leave Can Be a Lifeline I study how paid family leave impacts the health of parents. When I gave birth, I became one of my own statistics.

Paid leave boosts health, supports infants, reduces postpartum depression, and strengthens the workforce – As a researcher, Whitney Wells knew all of these benefits, but when she became a mom she got to experience it firsthand on a whole new level. Read her story:
progressive.org/op-eds/paid-...

Officials show little proof that new tech will help Medicaid enrollees meet work rules | CNN The Trump administration says it’s developing a digital tool to help people prove they’re meeting new Medicaid work requirements. KFF Health News talked to officials from the two states running pilot ...

Opt-in apps/web-based tools will not be sufficient to reduce the anticipated loss of coverage expected when Medicaid work requirements are implemented. They also ignore areas with limited or no internet access.
www.cnn.com/2025/10/22/h... #Medicaid #healthpolicy

Can Hollywood do for paid leave what Congress hasn’t? TV once made designated drivers mainstream, and 'Will & Grace' changed hearts on marriage equality. Now an effort is underway to get caregiving on screens — and perhaps influence paid family leave pol...

For years, TV shows have put caregiving on the big screen.. advocates say Hollywood may be the key to achieving national paid leave by showing the reality of work, family, and care.

Most recently The Pitt put this story front and center.. What's next? 📺 https://bit.ly/3Wsm3SJ

The Bridge Project gives expecting moms unconditional cash during the most critical time in their child’s life. It’s already supporting families in nine states, and I’m excited to see it expanding to NJ this fall!
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/to-c...

As the federal shutdown continues, it’s threatening essential support programs like SNAP, which millions of families rely on to put food on the table. The bright spot? States are stepping up to fill the gaps!

The Bridge Project is the perfect example ⬇️

And for even more information on how philanthropy specifically can help protect public health data, read my colleague Alonzo Plough’s blog! www.rwjf.org/en/insights/...

Data should always be a force for good. But right now we are seeing the removal of key public health datasets which not only deepen inequities, but erode community trust in government. With 2030 Census ahead, we must act to protect communities and democracy. Learn more: www.rwjf.org/en/insights/...

APHA 2025, Here We Come! Attending APHA 2025? Add these offerings from de Beaumont to your Annual Meeting schedule.

We can't wait to see you at #APHA2025 next month!

Get a sneak peek at the sessions, activities, and treats de Beaumont has in store. https://bit.ly/4nbMYgl

Today @uconnaaup.bsky.social turned out 200+ members and supporters to our contract action in Storrs. The part of the day that I am most proud of is teaching dozens of students about unions, solidarity, and the meaning of academic freedom. #unionyes #unionstrong

@mrbimpact.bsky.social sat down with three experts from @georgetownccf.bsky.social who laid out the facts and realities of the difficult challenges that lie ahead for states and the domino effect for health providers and patients.  

Listen. Share. Join the Conversation! https://tinyurl.com/43myhja2

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) Shifts Tax Benefits for Children Toward Middle- and High-Income Families The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s (OBBBA’s) changes to the child tax credit (CTC) and other programs, like tax benefits for child care, the adoption tax credit, and tax-advantaged savings accounts for ...

#OBBBA favors families with higher income and will reduce spending on programs that support families who need it most. Dive into the data and learn more about how this will impact families in @taxpolicycenter.bsky.social ’s report ⬇️
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/one-b...

Last week I participated in the Partnership to Advance Transformation in Higher Ed (PATH) convening. PATH is a powerful coalition fighting to advance equity in the classroom and beyond. I’m grateful to be part of this community of leaders and excited to continue sharing their work. #OnThePATH

State-by-State Progress Interactive Map: Does your state have data disaggregation policy in place? Hover over each state to see its current data disaggregation policy. For states with laws, bills, and other related activity...

See where your state stands in @civilrightsorg.bsky.social’s interactive map: wearethedata.us/state-progre...

Data disaggregation is a key piece of the health equity puzzle. Without it, inequities stay hidden. Proud to see NJ as one of only 8 states that require data for AANHPI people to be disaggregated.

When Insurance Is Lost Gail was undergoing breast cancer treatment when she lost her job—and her insurance.

Visit “That’s Medicaid” to read Gail’s full story: thatsmedicaid.org/stories/when...

For Gail, Medicaid was a lifeline when she lost her job and health insurance in the middle of breast cancer treatment. She never thought she’d need Medicaid, but now she can’t imagine what she would have done without it. Medicaid saves lives.
#BreastCancerAwarness #Medicaid #HealthEquity