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Welcome to the Central Valley Health Policy Institute
Understanding Traditional Hmong Health and Prenatal Care Beliefs, Practices, Utilization and Needs
The purpose of this project is to understand the health and prenatal care beliefs, practices, and needs of Hmong women age 18-35 and men age 18-45 in Central California where the largest share of the Hmongs have settled.
Although the displacement of people from their home countries is of growing concern, little attention has been paid to the health care experiences, utilization or outcomes of refugees in the U.S. health care literature. Experiences of refugees are more complex and difficult than those of voluntary immigrants because refugees often experienced trauma in their own country, as well as being forced to leave. Voluntary immigrants most often choose to immigrate willingly in search of a better life. Trauma may further complicate acculturation for refugees and their children as they learn practical skills for survival and construct an identity in the host country (Yakushko, Watson, & Thompson, 2008).
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The Impacts of Short-Term Changes in Air Quality on Emergency Room and Hospital Use in California's San Joaquin Valley
The findings of a recent CVHPI study for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District provide important new regional evidence for the public health consequences of air pollution. This study offers the first local evidence of short-term population-level health effects associated with elevations in PM2.5 and ozone for the San Joaquin Valley, demonstrating linear increases in rates of asthma ER and hospital admissions with increasing levels of air pollution, with effects more pronounced for children.
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Place Matters is a national initiative of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Health Policy Institute (HPI) designed to improve the health of participating communities by addressing social conditions that lead to poor health. CVHPI at California State University, Fresno facilitated the first of its kind, Place Matters: San Joaquin Valley Regional Equity Forum
Learn more about the CAUSE approach to health care..
Telemedicine in the San Joaquin Valley:
Opportunities and Barriers in Adoption
Expansion of telemedicine in the San Joaquin Valley has been slower compared to California's coastal areas. This study explored possible barriers in the adoption of telemedicine in this region by conducting several in-depth interviews of healthcare managers and practitioners. Several factors were identified as major barriers to adoption of telemedicine. It was found that factors such as, uncertainty about the benefits of telemedicine, unclear profit prospects and lack of clarity in existing ‘practice' and ‘labor' regulations act as major disincentives to health care providers in adoption decisions. Another notable barrier tied to the region that dissipates telemedicine adoption is the unique contractual arrangement that exists between part-time specialist physicians and the management at some healthcare facilities. Along with the provision of financial assistance, the healthcare providers in this region need to be educated on telemedicine practice guidelines. Special emphasis needs to be put on developing telemedicine business models that cater to regional socio-economic and cultural realities.Download Report (PDF)
Promotora Program
A Promotor(a) Health Education Model for Improving Latino Health Access in California's Central Valley. The project's goal is to improve access to health care services for low-income Latino families in Fresno County.
Health Policy Leadership Program 2010-2011
The Central Valley Health Policy Institute (CVHPI) is committed to facilitating the development of health and healthcare policies and programs in the San Joaquin Valley. Current policy research and technical assistance priorities for the CVHPI include: uninsured and inadequately insured adults, health professional shortages, and environmental influences on health. Click here to learn more...
Download the Health Policy Leadership Program Brochure (PDF)
The Central Valley Health Policy Institute was established in 2002 at California State University, Fresno to facilitate regional research, leadership training and graduate education programs to address emerging health policy issues that influence the health status of people living in Central California.