Improving health care equity is the focus of John A. Capitman, a relative newcomer to Fresno State whose work is primarily focused on understanding why there are racial, ethnic, gender and social class disparities in the health care industry.

The executive director of the university-sponsored Central Valley Health Policy Institute, Capitman came to Fresno in 2004 from Brandeis University, where he had earned national recognition for his work in health disparities, long-term care, substance abuse and racial and ethnic disparities in cancer care.

To help address issues in the San Joaquin Valley, Capitman has formed a leadership training group in which 30 people a year from all walks of life learn about health policy. One of the project's main goals is to increase the number of Valley residents who feel comfortable enough accessing national health care to  use it in making local health policies. Solving the disparities in health is going to take building that kind of leadership, says Capitman, who adds, "There are a tremendous number of people in the Valley trying to make these efforts." Also a health science professor, Capitman is leading the development of a new option for graduate study in health policy in the existing Master of Public Health program.