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San Mateo County residents have described an increasing number of days of poor mental health and ongoing problems accessing health care services, along with difficulties paying for housing, according to a newly released plan on ways to improve health of the community.
The Community Health Improvement Plan 2024-2026 (CHIP) for San Mateo County was seven months in the making and compiles survey results with input from health professionals, community organizations, and individuals.
This new guide for the county uses the information collected to outline priority areas that should be focused and funded to improve community health and promote health equity.
According to the Plan, priority areas over the next two years include access to healthcare services, mental health, and social determinants of health.
“It takes a collective effort to create and maintain a healthy and safe San Mateo County, which requires an ongoing commitment to serve and support each other,” wrote San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana in the introduction of the plan.
The results of the survey (conducted online, in person and by phone), offer an overview of the health and mental health of 3,053 San Mateo County residents.
Among the key findings of the analysis, the number of homeless people was found to have tripled, rising from 1.4 percent in 2013 to 3.6 percent in 2022.
Respondents reported experiencing an average of 4.1 ?days of poor mental health? during the last month in 2022, compared to 2.1 days in 2013, thus doubling the needs in this matter.
Additionally, 1 in 5 adults in San Mateo County had difficulty accessing a doctor in the past year.
In a county where 1 in 5 adults live below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, the plan cites an overarching goal of "improving coordination among organizations that provide essential services in all sectors to all people and communities." ?, especially to those currently experiencing disparities.
Strategies to achieve the goal include promoting policies that improve social determinants of health and improving coordination of essential services from county and community partners.
A key goal, the county detailed in a statement, is to increase screening for social determinants of health at client visits by 50 percent among all medical and social service providers.
Additionally, clients will be asked about their housing situation, experiences of racism or discrimination, whether they have access to nutritious foods and opportunities for physical activity, among other topics. The data will serve as the basis for strategies to achieve the objective.
"The survey provides insight into the health and wellness needs of our community," said Tamarra Jones, director of the County Health Department's Public Health, Policy and Planning division. ?We will now use that information both to work internally and with our partners on strategies to address these needs.?
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