The Population Health Learning Center (PHLC) was established in 2023 to address California’s critical need for a more equitable and efficient healthcare system. California's diverse population and fragmented healthcare infrastructure contribute to persistent inequities, particularly among low-income communities. PHLC was created to bridge these gaps through an innovative, scalable approach that aligns policy, technical assistance, and practice transformation to drive improvements in population health and health equity across the state.

PHLC strives to become a central hub for Population Health Management (PHM) and Value Based Care (VBC) innovation.   To achieve this, the Learning Center (LC) oversees a variety of programs and initiatives designed to strengthen PHM and VBC capabilities. Our flagship initiative is the statewide Medi-Cal-focused Equity and Practice Transformation Initiative (EPT), a $140 million investment through 2026. In addition, the Learning Center is collaborating with multiple funders on related population health transformation projects, leveraging our existing EPT infrastructure to enhance PHM capabilities in primary care practices. This includes utilizing data and technology-driven workflows to improve care, addressing behavioral health and social needs through effective screening and response, and supporting the adoption of efficient team-based care models. The Learning Center is a fiscally sponsored project of the Tides Center, a 501(c)(3) public charity organization that fiscally sponsors over 160 projects. This work aligns with Tides’ vision, in that health equity is central to enabling all populations to thrive and to share prosperity.