San Joaquin County Report Measures Access, Quality of Health Care
A coalition of not-for-profit hospitals and other health organizations in San Joaquin County released a three-year report on health care in the county, concluding that the group would focus its efforts on improving access to services, chronic disease care and early entry into prenatal care, the Stockton Record reports.
The 231-page report, called "Healthier San Joaquin County Community Assessment 2008," found that being uninsured is the primary reason why county residents lack a regular source of care or do not receive preventive services such as flu shots, blood-pressure monitoring or mammograms.
San Joaquin County continues to report higher incidences of chronic diseases -- such as diabetes, asthma or obesity -- than the California average, according to the report.
The report also featured information on:
- Tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use;
- Medi-Cal and enrollment in the county Women, Infants and Children program;
- Hospital emergency department use; and
- Mental health services (Goldeen, Stockton Record, 5/20).