Oregon has "more severe" racial and ethnic health disparities in its health system compared to other states in the West, according to a recent Commonwealth Fund report.

The big picture: No state has eliminated health disparities between racial and ethnic groups — and researchers warn recent federal policy shifts are likely to widen them.

• Nationally, rates of people skipping needed care because of cost are rising after hitting record lows in 2021 and 2022, per the report.

Zoom in: In Oregon, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and white residents had the best overall health care outcomes, access and quality — ranking in the 86th and 84th percentiles, respectively. These outcomes are often linked to higher income levels.

• Meanwhile, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) and Hispanic communities experienced the worst overall health outcomes, scoring in the 8th and 45th percentiles, respectively.

By the numbers: In Oregon, AIAN adults are significantly more likely to be uninsured than other groups, with 18% lacking coverage, and are more likely to die from avoidable causes.

• Black Oregonians have the highest death rates from breast and colorectal cancer, and the infant mortality rate among Black residents is 8.5 per 1,000 live births — more than double the rate for white residents (3.9).

Between the lines: Hispanic residents had lower mortality rates from preventable causes than white Oregonians despite less access to care and higher rates of obesity.

• Researchers call this the "Hispanic paradox." However, that trend could be fading, per the American Heart Association.

How it works: The Commonwealth Fund analyzed 24 performance indicators across three domains — health outcomes, health care access and quality and use of services — using federal data from 2022 to 2024.

• Researchers calculated standardized scores for five racial and ethnic groups and ranked each group's experience on a 1-to-100 percentile scale relative to all groups nationally.
• The data predates 2025–2026 federal policy shifts in Medicaid and ACA coverage.

The bottom line: The report finds that Medicaid eligibility, lower medical debt and strong family support improve health outcomes.

• Researchers urge Congress to expand insurance access, strengthen primary care and protect access to preventive services.

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🏛️ Portland's top public safety official is leaving after just eight months on the job and will walk away with a $275,000 severance package.

• City Administrator Raymond Lee will temporarily oversee all police, fire and 911 agencies while officials search for a replacement. (The Oregonian)

The recent attack at Multnomah Athletic Club is intensifying public debate over gaps in Oregon's civil commitment system and when officials should be able to intervene in mental health crises. (Willamette Week)

🐟 Fourteen "mostly pregnant" female common carp were found in southern Oregon's Cooper Creek Reservoir last month — a species that was "illegally introduced" and can degrade native fish habitats. (OPB)

🦌 The Thompson Elk statue sustained damage after a truck crashed into the sculpture's water basin last week, less than a month after it was re-erected.

• Southwest Main Street, between 3rd ad 4th, will remain closed as officials make repairs. (KOIN)

🚰 Vancouver is weighing a water utility rate increase to pay for mitigating PFAS contamination in the system, which is expected to cost $280 million. (The Columbian)

We're coming up on 10 years of Biketown — the City of Portland's e-bike share program, run by Lyft and sponsored by Nike.

To celebrate a decade of reducing dependence on cars, the Bureau of Transportation plans to replace the entire 3,000-plus e-bike fleet with newer "zippy" models that have a stronger motor, longer battery life and more seat-height options.

• These zippier, gray "Cosmo" e-bikes have been on our streets since 2024, and make up 30% of the fleet and account for half of all trips, per PBOT.
• The agency did not respond to Axios' request for how much money was allocated from Portland's clean energy fund to pay for the upgrade.

What's next: PBOT plans to host a group ride downtown on July 19.