Report: Health Grades Mixed for Southern California
Rates of diabetes and obesity are on the rise in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, but some health care measures are showing improvements, according to a report scheduled for release on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
The report was conducted by the Valley Care Community Consortium, a group of schools and health care and mental health providers. Kaiser Permanente, the California Endowment and Northridge Hospital Medical Center provided funds for the report.
The report found that:
- Diabetes accounted for 21% of deaths in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys in 2004, up from 19% in 1999; and
- Obesity rates increased to 21% in the areas from 19% in 1999.
In addition, Ronald Sorensen, director of the Providence Center for Community Health Improvement, said that schizophrenia now is among the five most common inpatient diagnoses for children and adults in the areas, a trend that he says suggests there is inadequate access to mental health services.
Although the report found these declines in health care measures, it also showed that the number of uninsured residents decreased from 23.6% to 19% over three years. Asthma rates also declined from 8.7% of children under age 17 to 7.9%.
Health care experts and community leaders on Wednesday are scheduled to meet to discuss the report's findings (Abram, Los Angeles Daily News, 7/24). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.