Access to Preventive Care

Why is this a priority?

Access to preventive health care impacts an individual’s overall health and well-being through the prevention of disease and early detection and treatment of health conditions.

Goal 1: Increase access to culturally appropriate preventive health services.

Santa Cruz County has strong collaborations to address health care needs of its residents. The CHIP will focus on care that is further upstream from the care typically provided in hospitals and primary care settings. This type of preventive care will focus on wellness checks and health screenings so that illnesses and health issues can be identified early enough to prevent secondary and tertiary care and treatment. Part of the preventive services offered will include provision of or referrals to social, economic, and behavioral health services. By addressing these root causes of health and well-being, the work in this area strives to reduce overall health care utilization in the future. 

Goal 1 Health Indicators

The following health indicators help track Santa Cruz County's progress and current status on improving access to preventative care.
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 98.6% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 97.1% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 96.2%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 98.6% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 97.1% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 96.2%.
Children with Health Insurance
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 91.1% which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 94.1% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 90.5%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 91.1% which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 94.1% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 90.5%.
Kindergartners with Required Immunizations
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 55.8% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 66.2% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 71.2%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 55.8% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 66.2% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 71.2%.
Adults who are Overweight or Obese
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 90.3% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 84.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 80.3%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 90.3% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 84.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 80.3%.
Mothers who Received Early Prenatal Care

County: Santa Cruz

(Compared to CA Counties)

 
          Objective 1.1                    
Increase by 20% prevention services provided to families with children ages 0-5 by 2023.

How We Will Accomplish This Objective

Provide accessible family focused services for those most in need

Jan
2023

  • Conduct home visits and offer information and referrals

  • Facilitate referrals to Medi-Cal and other low cost health insurance programs

  • Coordinate and integrate prenatal care with local providers to improve access and quality of services

  • Provide a toll-free bilingual telephone information service

  • Provide technical assistance or education to local providers

All women will have access to quality maternal and early perinatal care

Jan
2023

  • Coordinate and integrate prenatal services among local providers to improve access to care and quality of care

All children receive a yearly preventive medical visit

Jan
2023

  • Promote annual medical visits

  • Provide transportation assistance

 
          Objective 1.2                    
Increase immunization rates by 10% in children ages 0-5 by 2023.

How We Will Accomplish This Objective

Ensure all children are protected from preventable childhood illnesses

Jan
2023

  • Medicaid children receive all required immunizations by 2nd birthday

  • Provide education on immunizations

 
         Objective 1.3                    
90% of health care workers will be capable of providing linguistically and culturally appropriate care by 2023.

How We Will Accomplish This Objective

Assess cultural competency of the health care system

Jan
2023

  • Determine what, if any, and how frequent cultural competency trainings are provided

Santa Cruz