Central California Health Policy Institute Publications

California Program on Access to Care
Undocumented Latinos in the San Joaquin Valley: Health Care Access and Impact on Safety Net Providers

John A. Capitman, Diana Traje, and Tania L. Pacheco

California has the largest number of undocumented immigrants nationwide. Out of the estimated 11.6 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., about one-quarter--2.7 million undocumented immigrants-- live in California. Furthermore, approximately 280,745 of these immigrants live in the San Joaquin Valley, which is the center of California’s fertile agricultural region. This study explores how San Joaquin Valley safety net providers are impacted by serving undocumented Latinos and how immigrant populations, specifically Latinos and to a lesser extent Hmongs, are experiencing care access. Download Report (PDF)

Human Investment Initiative: Mental Health Cluster
First year's Observations, Conclusions and Recommendations

(Fresno Businuess Coalition publication)

As demonstrated by the success of the Regional Jobs Initiative, our community is in the midst of a fundamental transformation. We are shifting from the expectation that government and single interest advocacy is the answer to our problems to a recognition that solutions will require new approaches, new partnerships and every individual stepping up to take responsibility for the success and well being of all residents. We, not government, are responsible for creating the world we want. In that spirit, the Human Investment Initiative (“HII”) was launched in 2007 to address the destructive force of poverty in our neighborhoods and the lack of alignment of our community resources behind shared strategies. One HII task force of private citizens, the Mental Health Cluster (“MHC”), was formed in February 2008 to evaluate mental health services in Central California. At the outset of the effort, the members of the Mental Health Cluster agreed to act in accordance with the Community Values included at the end of this report. These will be important as we take the next steps. Download Report (PDF)

Oral Health Survey of Federally Qualified Health Centers in the Central Valley

Low-income residents of the Central Valley face limited access to oral health care due to barriers, including a shortage of dental health professionals, a maldistribution of services, and a lack of providers willing to accept uninsured or publicly insured patients. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) ease access barriers by providing oral care to underserved populations. In an effort to respond to regional concerns regarding the shortage of oral health professionals, a survey was conducted to evaluate the impact of these shortages in the Central Valley.
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Place Matters:
Understanding Rural/Urban Differences in Motor Vehicles Fatalities in California’s San Joaquin Valley

Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) remain a leading cause of injury and death in Central California’s San Joaquin Valley, especially for minority, low-income citizens of rural communities. Living in a rural location may contribute to one’s risk of being in an MVA. A strong majority (65%) of fatal accidents in the six counties from 2001 to 2005 occurred on rural roads. Public health experts from six counties collaborated to identify the underlying social and environmental determinants behind the disparities in rural/urban MVAs. This collaboration was part of the Place Matters national demonstration program, a national initiative of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Health Policy Institute to reduce/eliminate health disparities by targeting upstream causes associated with social determinants of health.
Read Report Online | Download Report (PDF)

Assessing Mental Health Disparities
Among Latinos in the San Joaquin Valley

In 2000, at least 7.9 percent or 103,785 Latinos of all ages living in the eight counties of the San Joaquin Valley (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare) experienced either serious emotional disturbance (SED) or serious mental illness (SMI). Because of limitations on mental health services and delivery system capacities, it is often hypothesized that a sizable proportion of the population in need of these services are not receiving them. Download Report (PDF)

Environmental Health Evaluation of Rule 4901:
Domestic Wood Burning

This report provides an evaluation of the regulatory and public health effectiveness of Rule 4901 as adopted by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District on November 1, 2003. Rule 4901 set in place a 150 AQI-triggered ban on wood burning in areas of the San Joaquin Valley that have natural gas service and are below 3,000 ft elevation. (Download Reoprt)

Aging in the San Joaquin Valley: Present Realities and Future Prospects

This report presents an overview of the demographic,
economic, health and social characteristics of the San
Joaquin Valley’s aging population. This report is a first
step in describing the issues and concerns of the older
population. In order to meet current needs and future
demands, it is imperative that we understand the aging
population and lay the framework for developing policies
and programs to meet their needs. Download Report (PDF)

'Healthy People 2010' report examines status of Valley's health

(May 27, 2008) - Researchers from the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at California State University, Fresno released a report today that reveals the Valley is not making progress toward meeting the Healthy People 2010 objectives and is likely to not reach a majority of the target measures by the end of this decade.

Read the full news release
Read the full report (PDF)

Health Policy Institute report details challenges to Valley air quality policymaking

A report released by the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at California State University, Fresno documents the need for San Joaquin Valley residents to understand and be involved in the region’s air quality policy landscape.

“The Long Road to Clean Air in the San Joaquin Valley: Facing the Challenge of Public Engagement” provides policymakers and residents with practical recommendations to enhance the public’s engagement around air quality policy issues.

Read the full news release...
Read the full Air Quality Report (PDF)...

Health Reform 2007: Impact on the Valley

The San Joaquin Valley now has a unique opportunity to influence health policy and health care reform by giving a voice to the health disparities experienced by its residents and influencing the negotiations that are ongoing as the health reform debate heats up.
Read the full report (PDF)...

Prenatal Care and Birth Outcomes: Challenges to Growing a More Nurturing San Joaquin Valley - Excecutive Summary

Bengiamin, M., Capitman, J.A., Mathilda R. (July 2007). Fresno, CA: California State University, Fresno. Available in MS Word or PDF

Home Garden Community Assessment

A. Gonzalez, M. Bengiamin, J. Capitman (May 2007). Download in MS Word format or PDF format

Growing a Healthier San Joaquin Valley: Recommendations for Improving the Public Health and Healthcare Infrastructure. Capitman, J.A., Riordan, D.G., Paul, C.M. (2007).
More information on the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley...

powerpoint icon 2004 Birth Patterns in the San Joaquin Valley (PowerPoint Presentation) Available in Flash Player or Accessible Text Only. Tonantzin E. Soto and Marlene Bengiamin (April 2006)

Health Professional Shortages in the San Joaquin Valley: The Impact on Federally Qualified Health Clinics. Riordan, D.G., Capitman, J.A. (2006). Fresno, CA: California State University, Fresno.

Healthy People 2010: A 2005 Profile of Health Status in the Central San Joaquin Valley. Bengiamin, M., Capitman, J.A., Paul, C.M., Riordan, D.G., and Curtis, K.A. (2005).

Medi-Cal Redesign: Implications for the San Joaquin Valley, Summary and Policy Brief. Capitman, J. A., Riordan, D., Bengiamin, M., Paul, C. M. (2005, June)

SB 2-Health Insurance Act of 2003: Expanding Employment Based Health Insurance in the San Joaquin Valley. Ingvaldson, G., Curtis, K.A., Capitman, J. A., Graham, E. (2004, August).

Health in the Heartland: The Crisis Continues, Health in the Heartland: The Crisis Continues (print and Web versions). Diringer, J., Curtis, K. A., Paul, C. M., Deveau, D. R. (2004). Fresno: California State University, Fresno.

Healthy People 2010: A 2003 Profile of Health Status in the Central San Joaquin Valley. Perez, M., Curtis, K.A. (2003)

Hurting in the Heartland:Access to Healthcare in the San Joaquin Valley - A Report and Recommendations. Diringer J, Ziolkowski C, Paramo, N (1996) Sacramento, CA; Rural Health Advocacy Institute and the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation