dhg-cha presentation (3)

Acknowledgements

• Desert Healthcare District

• Desert Highland Gateway Community Residents

• James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center

• Loma Linda University Health Institute for Community Partnerships

• El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center

• Rosa Garden Apartments

• Palm Springs View Apartments

• Well of the Desert

• First Baptist Church

• Ajalon Missionary Baptist Church

• Palm Springs Stroke Recovery Center

Outline

1. Background

2. Problem

3. Purpose

4. Assessment Process

5. Results (Priority Areas)

6. Other Areas of Interest

7. What This Means to the Desert Highland Gateway Community

8. Recommendations

9. Next Steps

Background

Demographics

• Desert Highland Gateway Community is an economically disadvantaged area

• 480 residences - single family homes and multi-family apartment complexes

• Majority of community members are African American or Hispanic

Problem

• In prior studies, minority residents in Palm Springs have been underrepresented/overlooked

• Underrepresentation has led to overshadowing of resources that the community needs

Purpose

• The Desert Highland Gateway Community Health Assessment (DHG-CHA) project sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the predominant health conditions in this community?

2. How do community members access health care?

3. What community resources are available or needed?

Assessment Process

Phase I: Community Survey

• 307 DHG community members surveyed

• Interview-style

• Based on The National Health Interview Survey developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Results from Phase I were used for further exploration in Phase II

Phase II: Community Discussions

• Community mapping activity (n=14)

• Community leader interviews (n=10)

• Focus groups (n=18)

*n=number of participants

Results

General Demographics

Disease Prevalence

Priority Areas

1. High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, and Obesity

2. Health Care Access and Emergency Room Use

3. Health Care Affordability

4. Health Impacts of Incarceration

High Blood Pressure,High Cholesterol,

and Obesity

(About every 2 in 3 DHGC members affected)

Statistics

• 47% of respondents diagnosed with hypertension

• 28% of respondents diagnosed with high cholesterol

• 69% of respondents are either overweight or obese

Community Discussion Results

• “Hypertension is a medical term for stress” and it is also a “general American condition.”

• “Disease means dis-easement in life.”

• “Hypertension is controllable if we reduce our salt, fat, and chemical intake.”


• Community members felt that STRESS is the main cause of HHO

• Identified causes of stress:• Criminal activity• Unsafe neighborhood• Unemployment• Inadequate income• Racism• Poor access to health care• Incarceration

Health Care Access andEmergency Room Use


Statistics

• 38% reported to use the emergency room as their usual place of care

• 29% reported to use a doctor’s office/HMO as their usual place of care

• 6% reported they didn’t have a usual place of care because it was too expensive


• “Many doctors do not even accept Obamacare patients.”

• “The ER is a quick fix and we are a part of the problem when we don’t take care of ourselves.”

• “Some patients who upon presenting themselves are stereotyped as unacceptable.”


• Quality and affordable care is not easily accessible

• Some healthcare providers stereotype patients from the DHG community• A reason why some have not received quality care

Health Care Affordability


Statistics

• About 1 in 3 reported they could not afford dental care in the past year

• About 1 in 2 reported they were unable to afford prescriptions in the past year

• About 1 in 4 people delayed filling a prescription or took less medication to save money


• “Many residents must go to Riverside, there are problems getting there, lack of transportation or money to pay for it.”

• “Health care is a hustle.”


• Lack of sufficient income and the high cost of health care

→ DHG community members choose to go to the Emergency Room (perceived to be cheaper)

Health Impacts of Incarceration


Statistics

• 42% of the respondents reported to have been arrested or incarcerated• The majority were men (73%)

• 50% of those incarcerated have been denied health care because of incarceration

• Of those who reported to have been incarcerated or arrested:• 46% are currently unemployed• 62% use the ER as their usual place of care• There are higher rates of substance abuse

(compared to general DHG community)


• “Arrests and incarceration impact the community because they place a burden on the family.”

• “Many of the youth in the community don’t know anything about life other than standing on the street corner.”

• “They do not have jobs and cannot get jobs.”

• “... many of the youth have ‘hard heads’.”


• Factors that play a pivotal role in contributing to incarceration:• Stress• Poor family dynamics• Negative lifestyle habits• Lack of opportunities• Risky behavior

• Vicious life cycle

Other Areas of Interest

Mental Health•25% have anxiety•20% have depression•18% have a phobia

Hearing•20% have hearing loss (however only 11% of them have hearing aids)

Vision•40% have difficulty seeing•Only 37% have seen optometrist in the last year•25% have not visited optometrist for 5+ years

Dental Health•64% have lost permanent teeth•Only 36% have visited dentist in the last year•23 % have not visited dentist in 5+ years

What this Means to the DHGC

• The community is being recognized, better represented, and served

• Now there is solid evidence of health disparities compared to surrounding communities• Help push for positive health interventions to close the gap

• These areas have been identified and now can be addressed:• Most prevalent diseases• Vicious life cycle• Challenges concerning health care access and affordability

(health care resources)

What this Means to the DHGC

• Identified positive, but untapped resources within the community

• Helps to facilitate positive change in developing a more healthy community• Trained community health workers are now advocates for

the community

Recommendations


Health Care Access

HHOHealth Impacts

of Incarceration

Community wellness committee

Health navigator program

Community workshops on the Affordable Care Act

Chronic disease management classes

Access to free or low-cost dental and vision care

Free health clinic

Community garden


Health Care Access

HHOHealth Impacts

of Incarceration

Improved public safety in the community

Improved transportation

Vocational training program (including life skills classes)

Job placement programs

Programs for at-risk youth

Substance abuse programs

Mental health counseling

Next Steps

• Better utilize existing healthcare resources/dollars

• More effectively/equitably allocate future resources/dollars to meet healthcare needs

• Recommend policies that reduce healthcare disparities in underserved communities

• Reduce financial healthcare financial disparities by making access more affordable

Next Steps

• Use social media to keep traction going for project and to bring people together

• Develop community wellness committee

• Continue community recruitment and involvement

Thank you!

dhg-cha presentation (3)

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