San Joaquin Valley’s ED Use Highest in State, Study Finds

A new Public Policy Institute of California study found that Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Fresno have the highest number of emergency department visits per capita among urban counties in the state. The high rate of ED visits can be attributed in part to San Joaquin Valley's high unemployment, lack of physicians and large number of uninsured residents.

• "Valley's ER Use Highest in State" (Carlson, Modesto Bee, 8/20).