Health report released

"Health in the Heartland: The Crisis Continues," a report on the Valley's health status and why the Valley experiences such serious health conditions, was released during the 3 rd Annual Central California Health Conference last month.

The California Endowment funded the Health in the Heartland project in partnership with the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at Fresno State .

Health in the Heartland is one of the Institute's first publications and will be utilized to inform the San Joaquin Valley communities about the region's current health, influence policy and promote systems.

Joel Diringer , lead author of the study, set the pace for the conference, by identifying his research and 50 health-related indicators from his recent book, Health in the Heartland . Much like his 1996 report, Hurting in the Heartland , his current report focuses on the demographics of Valley residents, economic and environmental factors, as well as health services. The report pays close attention to chronic diseases, health resources, immigrants, access to care, current health policy issues, health disparities and health outcomes.

The Health in the Heartland report is available online at: www.csufresno.edu/ccchhs/pubs.