Kern County Makes Strides Even As It Continues To Rank Low In Health Measures
Residents have made progress decreasing cases of chlamydia, lowering the teen birthrate, enrolling for insurance and decreasing the number of preventable hospital stays recorded, data show.
The Bakersfield Californian:
'Do It For Your Kids': Responding To Poor Outcomes, Life Expectancies, Officials Urge Adults To Make Healthier Choices
Kern County ranks toward the bottom of the state and the worst in the San Joaquin Valley for poor health outcomes — but it has been making progress when it comes to a few key measures, according to a report published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation this week. Kern ranked 52nd out of 57 California counties that were analyzed for health outcomes. Fresno County came in 51st, and Tulare came in 50th, according to the report. It ranked counties on a variety of factors, including length and quality of life, health behaviors, social determinants, clinical care access and physical environments. (Pierce, 3/16)
And in other news from across the state —
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Sonoma County Seeks Deep Cuts To Mental Health Services
In an effort to save $1.85 million, the Health Services department has proposed cuts to a bevy of mental health and substance abuse programs operated by nonprofit “community partners,” including a $236,000 reduction to Community Support Network, which runs Hope House and five other supportive housing homes. If the cuts go through, [Tom Bieri, director of Community Support Network] said all six homes would have to be closed — a move that would affect 72 county behavioral health clients. The loss of supportive housing like Hope House could lead to an increase in people with mental illness ending up in more expensive settings such as inpatient psychiatric facilities, hospital emergency rooms or jail, Bieri said. (Espinoza, 3/16)
Ventura County Star:
After Parkland Shooting, County Districts Review Safety And Security Measures
There’s a pattern that’s all too familiar in school districts across the country: There’s a shooting, then there is widespread concern about school safety. There are calls from students, parents and lawmakers for gun law reform, arming teachers and mental health awareness. And then the conversations seemingly fade as the tragedy falls out of the 24-hour news cycle. But a month after a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida, and killed 17 people, local school districts are still doing their best to assure parents and students that school safety is a top priority. (D'Angelo, 3/16)
San Francisco Chronicle:
South Bay Nonprofit To Discontinue Home Care Amid Struggle To Find Caregivers
Pathways Home Health and Hospice, a nonprofit home care agency in the South Bay, plans to discontinue a 30-year-old program that provides caregivers to 60 mostly elderly people. The program sends home aides to residents who need help with daily tasks such as laundry, grocery shopping and housekeeping. About 100 Pathways caregivers will be laid off. (Ho, 3/16)