About Health Equity
Disparate health outcomes for minorities, individuals experiencing homelessness, and other subsets of California’s population are the result of historic and systemic inequalities that persist today, and it has risen to the level of a public health crisis in California. Unequal access to health care and health resources, as well as unequal and damaging environmental conditions due to race, socioeconomic status, and other factors is untenable in a just and healthy society. Ensuring every Californian receives equitable, high-quality care requires long-term, systemic solutions. Some facts*:
Black Californians have the highest rates of new prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer cases, and the highest death rates for breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer.
About one in five Latinx Californians report not having a usual source of care and difficulty finding a specialist.
Californians who are Native American and Alaska Native, as well as Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, are less likely to report having a checkup within the past year than other racial/ethnic groups.
*Source: California Health Care Foundation
California’s hospitals are on the front lines of mitigating health inequities. Within their communities, hospitals examine and address the social determinants of health — things like housing instability, access to healthy foods, and community violence — that significantly affect health risks and outcomes. And they continually work to improve the experience and outcomes for everyone in their care through a variety of initiatives, including a statewide maternal health quality collaborative; data collection and analysis on race, ethnicity, language preference, and other sociodemographic data; cultural competency training; increasing diversity in leadership and governance; and improving and strengthening community partnerships. But hospitals alone cannot eliminate health disparities. It will take systemic reform, paired with broad partnerships across all segments of California’s communities, to break from the status quo.
5 Things To Know: Public Safety Power Shutoffs, Medi-Cal Rx, Minority Fellowship Program, Patient Safety Evaluation Summit, Behavioral Health System
PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFFS: San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) is conducting two public safety power shutoff (PSPS) exercises and welcomes the attendance and participation of external stakeholders: PSPS Tabletop Exercise: April 11, 8 a.m.-noon PSPS Full-Scale Exercise: May 1-2 If you are interested in participating, please complete the Extent of Play Agreement and […]
5 Things To Know: HASD&IC Education Opportunity, Public Charge Final Rule, CDPH Leadership Updates, Telehealth Equity, Health Careers Grants
HASD&IC EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will join HASD&IC for a webinar on Oct. 20 from 10 to 11 a.m. (PT) on the Hospital Presumptive Eligibility Program and the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program. DHCS will provide an overview of both programs and share common mistakes made by providers that cause delays […]
5 Things To Know: Workforce, Health Equity Webinars, Behavioral Health, Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs
WORKFORCE: The San Diego Workforce Partnership recently launched the Healthcare Administration Pathways Program. This program will put participants with no health care experience (but preferable experience in hospitality or retail) through the UC San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies Revenue Cycle and Management Intensive Course at no cost to them. The partnership is working […]
Celebrating Efforts to Improve Care for Our Aging Population
At our board meeting earlier this month, we heard about the statewide health equity focus that will involve not just HASD&IC but also CHA, the Hospital Association of Southern California, and Hospital Council – Northern & Central California. This important work entails collaboration among the four associations and their member hospitals to ensure care is […]
Medi-Cal Expansion Vital to Ensuring Healthy Communities
Access to health care is vital to a healthy society, and to ensure that those in our local communities can see a doctor when necessary, it’s imperative that they have coverage.
Turning the Spotlight on Equity in the Health Care System
This June, as we celebrate Pride Month, it’s a good reminder for everyone about the role that hospitals and health systems play in building inclusive and equitable communities for our LGBTQ+ neighbors.
5 Things To Know: EMS Week, Blood Bank Ribbon Cutting, New Website
RECOGNIZING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS): This week (May 15-21) is the 47th annual National EMS Week, which was established by President Gerald Ford in 1974 to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation’s communities. The week includes theme days, and throughout the week, San Diego County EMS will be driving to […]
5 Things To Know: Medi-Cal Eligibility, National Hospital Week, Rural Floor Court Ruling
MEDI-CAL ELIGIBILITY FOR NEW UKRAINIAN ARRIVALS: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released a Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Information Letter to provide guidance to counties on the Medi-Cal eligibility of Ukrainian nationals arriving in California. It is anticipated that a significant number will resettle in California. The federal government has not provided any special […]
5 Things To Know: CHNA Survey, Homelessness Report, Medi-Cal Rx
CHNA SURVEY: ICYMI in the Feb. 16 Biweekly, HASD&IC asked for your help in connecting with communities across San Diego County for the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Please consider promoting the survey through your organization’s communication venues, including newsletters, public distribution lists, social media, employee distribution lists, etc. To assist members with promotion, […]
CHNA Survey a Chance to Hear from Community about Health Needs
Hospitals and health systems in San Diego and Imperial counties engage in collaborative efforts to identify the most important health needs in their communities. Incorporating feedback from community members and the providers who care for them is essential to identifying the top health needs and understanding the social drivers that impact them.