ASTHMA,
ACCESS TO CARE LEAD LIST OF OBSTACLES
FOR VALLEY CHILDREN
Isolation loom large from
cradle to grave
MODESTO, California, January
15, 2003 – According to
a new
report released today, asthma and
access to health care lead the list of
barriers to a healthy childhood for Central
Valley young people. This finding is one
of 23 just released health care indicators
compiled by the Modesto-based Great Valley
Center in its latest report, The State
of the Great Central Valley: Public Health
and Access to Care.
Outpacing even the Los Angeles region,
Central Valley children are more likely
than anyone else in the state to be diagnosed
with or exhibit asthma related symptoms.
The highest prevalence of symptoms were
found in Fresno and Kings counties. Adults
in the Central Valley are no less affected.
Researchers found that Valley residents
over the age of 18 also led the state
in complaints related to the chronic -
and sometimes life threatening - inflammatory
lung disease. The report and its findings
on asthma were based on the most recent
responses to the California Health Interview
Survey (CHIP), the largest health interview
survey ever conducted in the U.S.
Researchers also identified that access
to information about basic health care
and existing programs remains a struggle
for many families living in the Valley.
Low-cost statewide programs designed to
preventatively address childhood immunization,
dental care, and insurance often go untapped
in the Valley. Over 26,000 Valley children
between the ages of 0 and 4 (8%) remain
uninsured. This is in contrast to the
state average of 6%.
Full copies of the report are available
online at www.greatvalley.org or by contacting
the Great Valley Center at (209) 522-5103.
The report was funded in part by grants
from The California Endowment and The
California Wellness Foundation. The California
Endowment's mission is to improve access
to affordable, quality health care for
underserved individuals and communities
and to promote fundamental improvements
in the health status of the people of
California
Created in 1992 as an independent, private
foundation, The California Wellness Foundation's
mision is to improve the health of the
people of California by making grants
for health promotion, wellness education
and disease prevention programs.
Founded in 1997, the Great Valley Center
is a private, non-profit organization
that supports organizations and activities
working to improve the economic, social
and environmental well-being of California’s
Great Central Valley.
###
Media
Contact:
Richard Cummings
(209) 522-5103
