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About the Health Policy Institute
Mission
The mission of the Central Valley Health Policy Institute is to facilitate an interactive regional process to identify, monitor, and analyze emerging health policy issues that influence the health status of people living in Central California.
Background
The San Joaquin Valley region faces some of the worst health,
educational, social and economic problems in the state. Compared with other
regions of California, Valley residents experience among the highest rates
of teen pregnancy, motor vehicle fatalities and chronic diseases such as asthma,
diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Limited access to health services and
severe shortages of health care providers further complicate these issues.
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. The Institute was funded in July, 2003 by a $4 million grant from The California Endowment in partnership with the University to promote health policy and planning in the region.
Institute Goals
- Develop regional capacity to address health policy issues affecting residents of the Central San Joaquin Valley.
- Develop regional leadership to facilitate health policy analysis and effective health policy development.
- Create a permanent university-based education and training program at the graduate level to support the development of health policy-making within the region.