Next Steps Simulation: Connecting the CommunityOverview:This short assignment is the final section of your paper. It is intended to furnish students the opportunity to imagine scaling-up their researc
Community Health Initiative for [jurisdictional boundary of your project] Student Name HSM 549: Public Health in the Urban Context Date Introduction This paper incorporates all four of the CHI assignments required for this course. The paper’s first section will present demographic information gathered to help identify pertinent social determinants of health keyed to the interests of this CHI focus here on…[identify indicators and/or disease issues you’re focusing on]. The paper’s second section, Stakeholder Analysis, presents…[identify the major themes/headings of that paper]. The third section of this paper then presents the Gap Analysis identifying what Demographic Profile Introduction The demographic profile for [jurisdiction] includes data on [name the indicators you have]. Taken together, these indicators [say something about how the indicators depict relevant data]. Each of these indicators is examined under separate headings below. [First Indicator] [Second Indicator] [Etc.] Summary This section of this report has focused on the demographic indicators that help depict the…[in a few sentences, summarize points raised under each sub-heading]. The next section of this paper examines stakeholder attributes relevant to further understanding…[say why these are important]. Stakeholder Analysis Introduction [Lay out the purposes of the stakeholder analysis and explain how it is organized by attributes that are relevant, including name or organization, what its service priorities are, title of key contact and/or head person, role that person plays in the organization, and any other attributes you believe are relevant to explain.. Then, same as with the Demographic section, explain how the stakeholder section is organized.] [First stakeholder name] [Pertinent attributes…] [Second stakeholder name] [Pertinent attributes…] [Etc.] Summary This section of this report has focused on the stakeholder information and relevant attributes. This information will assist continuing efforts in [summarize how the stakeholders involved are relevant]. The next section of this paper features the gap analysis useful for determining next steps available or necessary for advancing progress on [the health indicators you are focused on.] Gap Analysis Introduction [Lay out the purposes of the Gap Analysis and explain how it is organized according to pertinent knowledge, capacity and practices attributes that are relevant. Then, same as with other paper sections, explain how the Gap Analysis is organized. In the case of the Gap Analysis, you’ll have 3 main sections as specified under the instructions (Existing/Baseline Levels, Needed Commitments.] Existing/Baseline Levels [In your opening paragraph, identify how many indicators you are covering. Say something about why you chose them and how they help explain, together, something important about public health issues you are focusing on.] Indicator #1: [whichever you find most relevant] [Identify pertinent existing levels of knowledge, capacity, practices.] [Repeat for each Indicator] Needed Commitments [Use your opening paragraph to summarize your assessment of the existing/baseline levels. Then introduce the general direction you see forward commitments needing to go.] Indicator #1: [whichever you find most relevant] [Identify pertinent needed commitments to enhance/expand knowledge, capacity, practices.] [Repeat for each Indicator] Summary This section of this report has focused on the current status of services, resources and/or related health conditions for [your community area of interest] and what needed commitments are necessary/possible for improving health conditions as identified. This information will assist continuing efforts in [summarize how what you propose will help]. The last section of this paper features a brief reflection on how Community Based Participatory Research may be relevant to further promoting the health initiatives identified here. Next Steps Simulation: Connecting the Community Introduction According to a general consensus, community based participatory research is “a partnership approach to research that…[finish the definition from section 2 of Chapter 29 or summarize in your own words]. This manner of approach helps guarantee that broad voices and perspectives are incorporated into defining and addressing public health challenges. Incorporating the community into public health initiatives is complicated. For this final section of my paper I will assume I have been allocated resources and staff to further develop what my paper has started. In particular, I will address [identify which one you select]: 1) connecting with community based organizations or proposing how to start one if none exists; 2) organizing the design of an online portal of service providers addressing the CHI of my interest; 3) some other idea that seems worth devoting staff time for developing that incorporate community based activity. [Develop sub-headings according to the major elements your essay will cover. Remember: This is a short assignment. You can’t go into a lot detail. Think of this as a “sketch” of ideas.] Summary [You know the drill.] References [Alphabetical list of sources you identify in your paper.] 6
Next Steps Simulation: Connecting the CommunityOverview:This short assignment is the final section of your paper. It is intended to furnish students the opportunity to imagine scaling-up their researc
21 Ventura County Health Indicators Gap Analysis Name Institution Affiliation Ventura County Health Indicators Gap Analysis The organizations and agencies concerned with the health concerns in Ventura County are limited in various ways. This includes the population they are dedicated to serving and how they reach them, how their audiences know them, and how they deliver their services. Most organizations and agencies are not fully effective due to such reasons, making their efforts toward neutralizing the health situation in the county impossible. This paper will analyze the knowledge of these organizations and agencies to the people, the gaps that exist in serving their purposes, and the possible corrective measures that can be applied to make them effective and close the gaps. Organizations on Behavioral Health Ventura County Behavioral Health Existing (baseline) levels The Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) is a governmental organization that deals with different behavioral issues that cause health disparities among the population of Ventura county. It deals with drug and substance abuse issues and other mental illnesses with the vision of realizing a sober and mental health population. Being a government organization, it has full access to the county’s health indicators data, allowing it to analyze the situations accurately it is concerned worth (Ventura County Public Health, 2019). The organization is aware that most of the people affected by drug abuse and mental illnesses are among the youth, offering free rehabilitation and treatment to youth under the age of 18 years (Vcbh, 2022). It is also aware of the vast abuse of prescribed drugs, especially those with opioids, reaching out to the various pharmacies for campaigns against the misuse of such drugs. The extensive knowledge on the awareness of the drug abuse and mental issues in the county is measured by the organization through assessing issues in society such as car crashes due to drug abuse, data of people coping with mental illnesses through self-medication that results from drug abuse and addiction, poorly performing students in the various schools, turnover rates and people missing work due to drug abuse issues, parents losing custody over their children as a result of drug abuse and the density of liquor stores in the county. Needed Commitments VCBH has a limited serving capacity to the county of Ventura in several ways. The organization offers its services in only six locations in the county. This means that it is not readily accessible to all the people of the county, especially those in the remote areas of the county. This limits the number of people reached by the service, making it less effective. The program is also limited in that it carries out campaigns to create awareness of the effects of drug abuse and mental illnesses, highlighting issues such as suicide and addiction, and then admits individuals that come out for help (Vcbh, 2022). This means that the organization does not cover individuals who cannot reach out. The professionals that are involved in the reach-out programs are also insufficient compared to the population of Ventura County. However, the organization’s effectiveness is boosted by having partnerships with more organizations and agencies that are tasked with dealing with behavioral health issues. This extends their services to the population of the county through other agencies. Gap Analysis There is a need to introduce an integrated model in the VCBH that will see the organization reach a wider audience. This can be done by using community mobilization methods to ensure that affected persons are brought to the organization’s reach, targeting areas where drug addicts are likely to be, and assuring individuals that are afraid of being prosecuted of complete immunity. This will increase the number of clients reached, increasing the organization’s efficiency. The organization also needs to increase the number of available locations to increase its accessibility. They also need increase to increase the number of serving professionals to increase their effectiveness in reaching the intended population. The organization also needs to work with the respective local government to ensure that all liquor stores and pharmacies are licensed to deal with the high density of liquor stores in the area. Establishing a good rapport with the local population ad government will also increase the organization’s chances of reaching a more significant population in the county. Existing (baseline) levels Needed commitments Gap Analysis   Knowledge: Current awareness about and documentation of prevailing health needs. Utilizes knowledge available to the public. Has a wide knowledge of the existing issues.  Needs to utilize more resources for accurate information. Reach out to unwilling parties without prosecution.  Gap in the resources used. Fear of prosecution of the intended customers.   Capacity: Professional and related resources necessary and available to be deployed for effective action.   VCBH is only available in six locations. There are inadequate personnel fit for the purpose. Many effective partnerships.  Add more physical locations. Add more personnel for the jobs. Add more partners.  Gap in the accessibility of the services. Gap in the density of the involved taskforce. Gap in less involved personnel.   Practices: Effective transmission of capacity into action.   Reaches out through campaigns. Deals with opioids with no consideration of alternatives. No trusted follow-ups.  More means of reaching more victims. Plans to deal with more than one drug abuse and addiction. Follow up on the recovery of the victims.  Gap between the victims and the audience reached. Gap in the types of addictions and abuse reached. No sure follow-up plans to recovery.   Wellness Everyday Existing (baseline) levels Wellness every day is an internet resource that provides individuals of all ages with advice on handling mental health issues. The agency has a great deal of knowledge on mental health issues that face different people at different ages of their lives (Vcbh, 2022). While the agency is considered a relevant tool for helping individuals with mental health issues, it is limited to individuals who can access the website. The reach out to individuals who are in strategic laces is therefore unlikely to be reached. The agency has great knowledge of the audience that they reach out to, grouping them according to their age, from children, teenagers, adults, and older adults, grouping the different causes of mental health issues of these groups according to their environment and occupations. This creates a great deal of resources that are instrumental in helping the groups according to their needs, making it a helpful instrument. Needed Commitments Wellness every day has various dedicated professionals, making it capable of serving the clients that reach out for their services. However, the professional counselors available are not enough to serve the vast population that needs to be served. Its capacity, therefore, limits the clients that the agency reaches. It also defines its services to individuals who can access the internet, with a few planned on-ground mobilization campaigns. Gap Analysis The agency needs to commit to the more physical mobilization of individuals to increase the number of helped clients. The agency also needs to increase the number of physical locations that are accessible to the public to enhance service delivery. There is also a need to increase the number of professionals serving individuals who reach out to increase the serving capacity of the agency. Know the Signs Existing (baseline) levels The agency is a purely online platform that helps mentally challenged and disturbed people to assess their situation, create awareness and move toward looking for a viable solution to their problems. It involves providing critical steps in identifying signs and symptoms that might indicate one needs help even when they are not aware. It is a global platform dedicated to serving as many clients as possible. The website has a vast pool of knowledge on mental health issues as it utilizes many resources, using the sole method of reaching out for help as a significant control measure (Vcbh, 2022). Needed Commitments This method is limited because it only encourages people to come out for help without necessarily providing physical and real-time resources for the help after reaching out. Gap Analysis The website needs to integrate its services by increasing dedicated professionals and partnering with more organizations and agencies to serve their purpose. The Ventura County Opioid Abuse Suppression Taskforce (COAST) Existing (baseline) levels The COAST initiative has a wide variety of resources, increasing its awareness of the different forms and channels of opioid substance abuse. It has an instrumental inclusion of various professionals that are dedicated to solving the issue of medication abuse. Needed Commitments However, the task force has a limited number of professionals that are not able to reach out to the vast population of the county, leaving out a significant number of the population that would need their help (“Ventura County opioid abuse suppression Taskforce (COAST),” n.d.). The task force is also limited in that it only focuses on the abuse of opioid medications, dwelling little on heroin abuse, which is opted by most abusers of opioid medication as a cheaper alternative (COAST, 2022). Gap Analysis Therefore, the task force needs to increase the number of professionals to reach more individuals that need their help. There is also a need to establish a branch of the task force that dwells on dealing with other alternatives that opioid addicts seek to replace the expensive form of drug abuse. This means establishing a comprehensive task force that deals with all forms of drug abuse among the residents without only dwelling on opioid abuse. With these changes, the agency is likely to be more effective in controlling the behavioral health of the residents of the county. Ventura County Rx Abuse & Heroin Workgroup Existing (baseline) levels This organization is a more comprehensive task force focused on dealing with the abuse of prescribed medications as well as heroin. The task force has the capacity to deal with the issue to some extent as it has partnered with various medication prescription centers as well as the government to track such behavior. With these resources, they have vast awareness of the prevailing issue. Needed Commitments However, the task force is hindered in that it has a few professionals dealing with the problem compared to the enormous population of Ventura county. It is also limited in the physical locations available, limiting the number of individuals they assess (VCCHNAC, 2019). Gap Analysis The organization needs to establish new locations that will enable them to reach more people and increase the number of professionals dedicated to reaching its vision and mission in the county. Agencies and Organizations Addressing Health Access and Aging Person’s Illnesses Medicare and Medi-Cal Existing (baseline) levels The two medical insurance covers are fairly effective in providing affordable care to the population of Ventura County, especially those with chronic illnesses and in their old age, as well as in all disabled residents. Needed Commitments However, the terms of qualification may limit the people that qualify to apply for the covers, such as the minimum wage that they earn and the retirement benefit plans (Roehr, 2020). This leaves out a significant number of people from accessing the service. The plans have a great source of knowledge on the health issues that exist in the United States, accessing different research material as well as the client’s medical history. This enables them to cover major health issues in society, making them an ideal plan to cover primary health conditions in the population of Ventura County. The health insurance covers are also limited because they utilize the limited government funds to deliver their services (Roehr, 2020). Gap Analysis For more effective service, the plans need to revise the terms and conditions of applying for the plan to accommodate more people. The plan needs to be extended to all ages of the population for more effectiveness in providing care in society. The government also needs to invest more funds to make the services more efficient. Performance Elements Existing (baseline) levels Needed commitments Gap Analysis   Knowledge: Current awareness about and documentation of prevailing health needs.  Have access to regional data on chronic illnesses. Have medical records of involved personnel. Dedicated concern to older adults and disabled patients.  Follow up on the effectiveness of treatment provided since diagnosis. Assess more data on the involved risk and not just the initial health risks. Extend services to more members of the society.  Gap in the provision of care and follow up plans. Gap in the knowledge of the health risks of the involved personnel till assessed. Gap in the group of individuals covered by the plan.   Capacity: Professional and related resources necessary and available to be deployed for effective action.   Require government funds to run their services. Limited to the application of the clients.  Inclusion of more government finances for effective service. Covering more clients with different needs and conditions.  Gap in the amount of funds accessed and utilized. Gap in the number and group of patients covered.   Practices: Effective transmission of capacity into action.    Cover the clients with all diagnosis expenses. Deals with chronic illnesses and no other prevalent conditions.  Cover medication expenses. Deal with health problems more than chronic illnesses.  Gap in the expenses covered by the plans. Gap in the types of illnesses covered. Organizations and Agencies Dealing with the Social Needs of Ventura County Ventura Continuum of Care Alliance Existing (baseline) levels The Ventura Continuum of Care Alliance is dedicated to reducing the causes of homelessness in Ventura County by eliminating all issues that may contribute to the issue (COC, 2019). Needed Commitments The organization, however, does not have any sufficient knowledge of the problems as they depend on the resources presented by the different communities to make their decisions. It is a more community-based organization than an independent organization seeking to help society. The capacity to tackle the subject issue is insufficient as they depend on well-wishers in the community, such as landlords, to deal with the issue (COC, 2019). However, they have the capacity in that they have professionals who deal with counseling the affected individuals to overcome the burden of mental stress, reducing the causes of mental illnesses as a result of stress-related access to shelter. Gap Analysis The organization, therefore, needs to establish a more definite method of dealing with homelessness, such as providing the affected subjects with temporary or permanent shelter through independent means. It also needs to formulate a well-defined way of accessing more reliable data and the cause of homelessness in the county to develop more effective ways of dealing with the issue. 2-1-1 Ventura County Existing (baseline) levels This is a referral service that is useful to users who reach out for help to connect with organizations and agencies concerned with their issues. The service is very effective as it acts as an essential link between individuals seeking assistance and various resources. The services have a vast pool of knowledge of the multiple issues that cause health problems in the county, as well as the various resources that are concerned with the various issues presented. The service has the capability of helping the various ethnic groups and races that occupy the county as they offer their services in about 150 languages, making it an effective tool. Needed Commitments However, it is limited in that it does not offer direct help to its client but rather connects them to other resources. Also, the service has no plan to follow up on whether the different clients are helped efficiently after the connection. Gap Analysis To establish a more effective way of helping the community, the service needs to consider various methods., Firstly, the service needs to provide direct help to the clients, such as providing them with counseling services. They also need to follow up to establish that the clients were helped accordingly with the connected resources. Food Forward and Food Share Existing (baseline) levels With the agency being a regional board that deals with providing a balanced diet to the population, it has various strengths and weaknesses. The agency makes use of surplus food produced by the farmers and the multiple markets, making it possible to reach food-insecure residents. Needed Commitments However, this faces significant challenges in certain seasons of the months when there is no surplus food, making it less effective during such times (FOOD FORWARD, 2022). The agency has an advantage in that it has partnered with many well-wishers, making it possible to feed many people throughout the year. This also enables the organization to gather as much reliable information on the food security concern of the region. Gap Analysis The agency needs to create a program that is more concerned with all seasons of the year without depending on the surplus production of food in the county. It also needs to make more partnerships to raise enough resources for the population. Performance Elements Existing (baseline) levels Needed commitments Gap Analysis   Knowledge: Current awareness about and documentation of prevailing health needs.  Utilizes the Community’s knowledge. There is less documentation on the need of concern of the need of social needs, concentrating the care on social homes and not individuals.  Need to explore more knowledge sources. More documentation on the need for adequate social needs in Ventura County increase narrowing down to specific needy individuals.  Gap in the information sources available.   Capacity: Professional and related resources necessary and available to be deployed for effective action.   Few partners to provide social needs. Rely on well-wishers. Some services are limited to individuals who can access mobile phones.  Increase partnerships and the number of well-wishers dedicated to providing resources for the population. Formulating resources that will cater to the needs independently.  Gap in partnerships. Gap in available ready resources to tackle the issue.   Practices: Effective transmission of capacity into action.    Most services are concerned with connecting individuals to resources. No follow-up plans on the connections.  Provide effective resources rather than connecting. Follow up of the connections established.  Gap in the readily available resources. Gap in realizing the effectiveness of the plan.   Conclusion The health indicators of Ventura County have remained unchanged over the years as a result of the ineffectiveness of the various agencies and organizations concerned with correcting the situation. The inefficiencies result from gaps in serving their duties, incapacity to carry out their duties, and lack of knowledge in their subject field. To correct these, the various bodies need to adjust accordingly. With the adjustments, it can be projected that the health of the population of Ventura County will have a significant improvement in the coming years. References COAST. (2022, March 31). County Opioid Taskforce – Ventura County responds. Ventura County Responds – Addressing the Opioid Crisis. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://www.venturacountyresponds.org/working-together/county-opioid-taskforce COC. (2019). Continuum of Care. Home. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://www.venturacoc.org FOOD FORWARD. (2022). Food forward: Ventura County. United Way of Ventura County. https://www.volunteerventuracounty.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=53866 Roehr, B. (2020). The health of private insurance in the US during COVID-19. BMJ, m2606. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2606 Vcbh. (2022). About VCBH. Ventura County Behavioral Health. https://vcbh.org/en/about-us/about-vcbh VCCHNAC. (2019). Health Matters in Ventura County. Ventura County Community Health Needs Assessment. A Report by The Ventura County Community Health Needs Assessment Collaborative. Dignity Health | Hello human kindness. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://www.dignityhealth.org/content/dam/dignity-health/pdfs/chna/chna-st-johns-pleasant-valley.pdf Ventura County opioid abuse suppression Taskforce (COAST). (n.d.). Bureau of Justice Assistance. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/awards/2018-pm-bx-k040j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwimovrk4-v3AhXs8LsIHcZFA9sQFnoECAgQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbja.ojp.gov%2Ffunding%2Fawards%2F2018-pm-bx-k040&usg=AOvVaw1wvdNE_QmD7yQ7tQCRwv0a Ventura County Public Health. (2019). Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://www.healthmattersinvc.org
Next Steps Simulation: Connecting the CommunityOverview:This short assignment is the final section of your paper. It is intended to furnish students the opportunity to imagine scaling-up their researc
Agencies, Organizations, and Groups Addressing the Public Health Concerns of Ventura County Rodney Chew HSM 549 Agencies, Organizations, and Groups Addressing the Public Health Concerns of Ventura County Ventura County’s health profile depicts that several disparities in the health sector need to be addressed effectively for assured health for the vast population. These disparities include limited access to quality health and health education and the lack of an established trusted relationship between the public and the clinicians. The behavioral trends of the population are also inconsistent with good health practices, with issues such as alcohol and drug substance being a significant issue, leading to medical conditions such as depression. It has also been established that older adults have a serious issue dealing with chronic illnesses that need to be addressed to improve the health situation of the county (VCCHNAC, 2019). The population’s social needs, with factors such as adequate housing and food security, are also a significant concern in the population’s public health. With these observations and the various health indicators that show the depth of the problems, several community-based organizations, general government organizations, non-governmental organizations, and advocacy groups have been formed to mitigate the issues. This paper will explore some of these groups, assessing the stakeholders involved, the party being targeted, the issue they seek to address, and the policies they have established or are pushing to establish. Agencies and Organizations on Behavioral Health The health indicators of drug abuse in Ventura are shown by the county’s high density of liquor stores. The population of Ventura, especially teenagers and adults, is exposed to alcohol abuse (Ventura County Public Health, 2019). Hospitalization due to alcohol abuse and motor vehicle road accidents are significant repercussions of the abuse. Abuse of opioids through prescribed medications and synthetic forms of the drug and heroin abuse have contributed to drug-induced deaths (Ventura County Public Health, 2019). The mental and emotional well-being of the population is also a significant issue, with most people reporting conditions such as depression. With these statistics, several organizations have been formed to mitigate the problem. These include the Ventura County Behavioral Health, which also has a task force dealing with opioid abuse called the Ventura County Opioid Abuse Suppression Taskforce (COAST, 2022). Ventura County Behavioral Health The Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) is a wing in the county’s department of health that provides the population with services related to dealing with drug and substance abuse and mental illnesses (VCBH, 2022). It has been serving in the county for decades, providing its services 24 hours throughout the seven days of the week through Crisis and Referral Line access points. The VCBH is currently working on the 2021 – 2026 strategic plan with the vision of achieving an environment where everyone is regarded and empowered so that those will mental illnesses and problems with drug abuse and addiction heal accordingly (VCBH, 2022). The organization is on a mission to reduce the social stigma and discrimination usually associated with drug abuse and addiction and those with mental illnesses to promoting a community that supports the development of healthy behaviors.             The department seeks to create awareness of drug addiction in public, stressing its repercussions on the health of the individual and its effect on daily activities. It also reaches out to the community to assist such people by observing behavior such as car crashes, people that try to cope with mental illnesses through self-medication, students doing poorly in school as a result of drug abuse, individuals missing out on work, and those risking losing custody over their children due to drug and substance abuse. To such individuals, the department offers a continuum of care available in six locations and a wide range of treatment options, ensuring they move towards recovery. This is done at low or no costs at all, depending on the option applicable in treating the condition. For individuals that are below 18 years, the treatment is provided free of charge (VCBH, 2022). The treatment options offered include aftercare support recovery services, outpatient services in the form of therapy and counseling, withdrawal management, isolated case management, rehabilitation, and medication-assisted treatment.            The Ventura County Behavioral Health Department (VCBH) also provides a diverse range of mental health resources. These include. Wellness Everyday This is a dedicated mental health website that offers resources and counseling through the platform (VCBH, 2022). It addresses the diverse form of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, teen and child mental health, myths and facts on mental illnesses, how to live healthy with mental illnesses, and holding talks regarding the subject. The website also refers the users to physical counseling offered by various groups, such as support groups from different churches. Know the Signs This is a statewide organization that pushes against suicide. It uses a social marketing strategy that makes use of three resources ‘knowing the signs,’ which refers to the ways of knowing prevailing signs of adverse emotional and mental health, and ‘finding the words,’ which relates to self-assessment on how to express the emotions and ‘reaching out’ which encourages the individual to seek help (VCBH, 2022). The Ventura County Opioid Abuse Suppression Taskforce (COAST) This task force was established in October 2018 by VCBH as a measure of dealing with the crisis of opioid abuse (COAST, 2022). Its main aim is to increase the access to care for individuals seeking to recover from the addiction. It has collaborated with other agencies such as the Sheriff’s Office, Ambulatory Care, Public Health, the Medical Examiner’s Office and Emergency Medical Service, increasing innovative ways of dealing with the crisis (COAST, 2022). It also makes use of federal grants in conducting research assessing the situation by collecting data on the number of people affected and the reasons that lead to abuse of these drugs and providing care for individuals. The task force uses the local trends and resources to provide treatment to addicted individuals, correct the prescription of medications, and create awareness on how to respond to opioid overdose. Ventura County Rx Abuse & Heroin Workgroup The workgroup was established in 2012 to save and improve the lives and health of Ventura County by stopping the abuse of prescription drugs and heroin abuse (COAST, 2022). It has partnered with several state agencies to ensure that it is an effective tool in controlling the behavioral health of the people. In this context, Rx drug abuse refers to the abuse of prescribed drugs. The primary goal of the workgroup is to reduce the cases of death occurring from the overdose of opioids by 50% (COAST, 2022). Opioid medications are the most prescribed painkillers in the region that end up being abused, while heroin is sold as an illegal street drug. As both drugs are readily available, opioid users become addicted to the substance, with most opting for the cheaper heroin. This brought about the need to form a workgroup that would target ending the abuse of heroin in Ventura County. Agencies and Organizations Addressing Health Access and Aging Person’s Illnesses Aging people face chronic illnesses that put them in need of frequent healthcare access. The population of Ventura is limited in the type and quality of care they can access due to high costs, discrimination, and lack of enough personnel. To address these issues, several agencies and organizations have been established a top deal with the problems in the different ways that they manifest Medicare and Medi-Cal The cost of accessing medical care is a leading problem in Ventura County, affecting the older adults who seek frequent medical attention and the rest of the population. Health insurances such as Medical and Medicare have been very influential in mitigating this issue. Medi-Cal is a low-cost or free health coverage insurance that covers individuals who meet the income requirements of the plan (Lee, 2018). It covers adults, children, older adults, children in foster care, pregnant women, and people living with disabilities. On the other hand, Medicare is a federal program started in 1965, aimed at providing healthcare insurance to the older adults who are 65 years and above, especially those with certain illnesses such as end-stage renal failure (Lefkowitz, 2022). It also applies to the other ages of people in a situation where they have disabilities. Medicare plays a crucial role in managing chronic illnesses that have been identified in Ventura County as the leading causes of ill health in older adults by reducing the costs needed to access healthcare. Organizations and Agencies Dealing with the Social Needs of Ventura County Maslow’s hierarchy of needs shows that particular social conditions have to come first for healthy mental and physical wellness. In Ventura, the issue of food insecurity and poor or costly housing is the leading social needs issue that has led to health deterioration. These conditions expose the population to environmental conditions that may cause diseases and a poor diet that weakens one’s immune system, especially among children. To address these issues, several agencies and organizations have been formed. Ventura Continuum of Care Alliance The Ventura Continuum of Care is a collaborative organization that is determined to reduce and eventually eradicate the causes of homelessness and street families. The organization was established in the 1990s and is working towards the vision of ensuring that homelessness in the county becomes rare, nonrecurring, and brief (COC, 2019). To address this, the organization upholds the dignity of all human life, is concerned with the well-being of the whole community, and recognizes the potential of a community working together to solve societal issues. The organization collaborates with well-wishers such as landlords and other organizations in providing homes for the homeless to reduce the risks they face living on the streets that may affect their well-being. The organization recognizes that such individuals have faced trauma and seek to help them by providing counseling services to overcome the mental burden on the subjects (COC, 2019). They also ensure that the situation does not recur by empowering the people according to their strengths and skills. 2-1-1 Ventura County This is a toll-free line that can be used by homeless individuals looking for help in Ventura County. It is a program related to Interface Children and Family Services and is available 24 hours a day throughout the week. The service helps to connect the people texting and calling to the county’s various health and human services, accounting for over 30,000 successful referrals every year (Interface Children & Family Services, 2022). The success of this service is attributed to the flexibility in language interpretations as t is available in 150 languages, enabling it to serve a great deal of people. The service was established on February 11th, 2005, and offers referral services on housing matters such as emergency housing for families and individuals, affordable housing, healthcare access, and disaster resources such as in case of earthquakes, fire, and violence (Interface Children & Family Services, 2022). Food Forward A healthy population needs to feed on a balanced diet in healthy proportions, which is a significant challenge in Ventura county. Food Forward is an organization operating in Ventura and the rest of California that fights hunger and prevents wastage of food by rescuing surplus food and connecting it to people experiencing food insecurity. This is done by collecting fresh fruits and vegetables from orchards, farmers’ markets, backyard trees, and extensive wholesale markets that are in surplus and then redistributing them to the needy. In the last 11 years, the organization has had more than 100 million pounds of fresh food, which translates to over 400 million servings to the population of the county and other places (Food Forward, 2022). In addition to contributing to food security, the organization has also played a significant role in reducing pollution that would be as a result of the food going bad; it has saved the environment from pollution by preventing the release of over 2800 metric tons of carbon. Together with over 10000 partners, the organization is determined to help more people in the county and beyond to overcome the issue of food insecurity. Food Share Food Share is a non-profit organization established in the year 1978 and has been feeding the hungry population of Ventura County (Food Share of Ventura County, 2022). The organization has demonstrated that one out of every six people in Ventura County struggles with food security. It has since partnered with various agencies, volunteers, and pantries, serving over 190,000 families with meals annually (Food Share of Ventura County, 2022). This has dramatically improved the health situation of the population as they are able to access food that is rich in vital nutrients, boosting their immunity. Conclusion In terms of the health situation of Ventura County, many issues need to be addressed. The problems identified that contribute to worse health issues in the county are the behavioral health trends, insufficient access to healthcare and chronic illnesses, and the issue of social needs. Several organizations, agencies, and workgroups have been formulated to address the problems, with some being government-funded while others are entirely private, depending on well-wisher funds. In behavioral health, there are established organizations addressing the abuse of opioid prescribed medications, alcohol, and heroin, as well as services to handle individuals with mental illnesses and reduce related issues such as depression. On the problems of access to health and chronic diseases, health coverage insurances such as Medi-Cal and Medicare have come in handy. Several services provide healthcare to people in need of social needs, such as homes and food through food sharing programs. Notably, these programs and organizations require the support of well-wishers to succeed. With their continued efforts, the health situation of Ventura County is likely to improve in the coming years, resulting in a self-sufficient and healthy population. References COAST. (2022, March 31). County Opioid Taskforce – Ventura County responds. Ventura County Responds – Addressing the Opioid Crisis. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://www.venturacountyresponds.org/working-together/county-opioid-taskforce COC. (2019). Continuum of Care Ventura County. Home. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://www.venturacoc.org Food Forward. (2022). Food forward: Ventura County. United Way of Ventura County. https://www.volunteerventuracounty.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=53866 (2022, May 2). Food Share of Ventura County. https://foodshare.com Interface Children & Family Services. (2022, January 28). 211 Ventura County. https://211ventura.org Lee, B. (2018). Northern California Medi-Cal Onboarding: Upstream engagement. The Permanente Journal. https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/18-071-40 Lefkowitz, K. (2022). Savings under Medicare for all. Medicare For All, 42-52. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003286271-6 VCBH. (2022). About VCBH. Ventura County Behavioral Health. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://vcbh.org/en/about-us/about-vcbh VCCHNAC. (2019). Health Matters in Ventura County. Ventura County Community Health Needs Assessment. A Report by The Ventura County Community Health Needs Assessment Collaborative (VCCHNAC). https://www.dignityhealth.org/content/dam/dignity-health/pdfs/chna/chna-st-johns-pleasant-valley.pdf Ventura County Public Health. (2019). Community Health Priority Areas. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://www.healthmattersinvc.org
Next Steps Simulation: Connecting the CommunityOverview:This short assignment is the final section of your paper. It is intended to furnish students the opportunity to imagine scaling-up their researc
1 Ventura County Health Indicators Rodney Chew Ventura County Health Indicators Ventura County is located in southern California, occupied by a mixed population of 843,843 people (U.S. Bureau, 2020). The county has over 11 main hospitals to serve the population and is complemented by privately owned clinics and urgent care healthcare institutions. Ventura County Healthcare Agency has adopted WHO’s definition of health, which defines health as a condition of absence of disease and a good state of mental, physical, and social well-being of an individual (Hanefeld & Fischer, 2021). To track the health situation of the county, the government established the Ventura County Community Health Needs Assessment Collaborative (VCCHNAC), which is responsible for determining the health, social and political influences on the health of the situation, compiling the general health profile of the county. This paper will explore the health situation of the county and the state of the health indicators used to define the health profile. Health Situation of Ventura County Compared with other Canadian counties, Ventura has some significant health issues that need to be addressed, as depicted in its health profile. Among the emergent issues is the need to improve access to health services for the population through coverage, physical access, health education, and trusted relationships between clinicians and the public. Another health priority that needs to be addressed, as identified by VCCAHNA Collaborative, is the need to reduce the impact of health issues that are related to the lifestyle and general behavior of the people as a strategy to treat emotional and mental health issues that may lead to drug and substance abuse. The third health issue that needs prioritizing is improving healthcare for the older adults in society (VCCHNAC, 2019). The county also needs to prioritize reducing the burden of chronic illnesses prevalent in its population compared to other counties. Lastly, social needs, especially those related to affordable housing and food security, should be prioritized to improve the population’s quality of health (VCCHNAC, 2019). These criteria used in improving the health situation by addressing the five issues will be expected to address the causes of the health disparities and issue an element of sound social justice in healthcare delivery. The criteria that will be effective in achieving this will include correcting the social and economic inequalities that exist among the population of Ventura County and dedicated and availability of sound leadership in the various health institutions (VCCHNAC, 2019). The management will need to weigh the impact of the existing problems and seek to correct them to improve healthcare. To address these, they will need to consider and monitor the various health indicators that determine the condition of the healthcare issues in Ventura County, as discussed below. Health Indicators of the Access to Health Services Access to care is a key element noted in the health profile of Ventura county (VCCHNAC, 2019). For the health situation of a population to improve, they need to have enough chances of access to health facilities and care. Access to health is a great factor that can be used to determine the health situation of a particular population. The basic factors used to determine this include health coverage, physical; access to health facilities and care, health literacy, and good relationships with the health personnel. In Ventura County, the following health indicators were used to explore the situation of access to healthcare: non-physician care provider rate in the county, adults with healthcare insurance, delay of care or adults that had difficulty accessing care, dentist visit rate for both adults and children, the statistics of people who have a definite source of healthcare and the number of adults needing mental or behavioral care, compared to the ones that get it (VCCHNAC, 2019). These indicators were compared to the situations in other counties, with warning indicators being used to assess the situation. From the indicators, it was evident that many adults had difficulty accessing healthcare while others had delayed access to healthcare (VCCHNAC, 2019). This is caused by various reasons, such as the cost of treatment. Many adults might find it hard to access treatment as they find it too expensive, especially those with no health insurance. The high medical costs in the rest of the United States are the main barrier to accessing healthcare, making the population access the services less frequently even when they need to. The high medical costs also make it hard for small businesses to be able to offer healthcare insurance, leaving Medicare plan to be the monotonous healthcare insurance provider (Black & Adjaye-Gbewonyo, 2021). The report indicates that about 10% of individuals aged 65 years and below has healthcare insurance (VCCHNAC, 2019). Other barriers such as lack of sufficient transport services, difficulty in appointments, and inability to access services are major causes of difficulty accessing healthcare. Disparities in prenatal care for women in their first trimester were also recorded as a prevailing problem in the county. To address these issues and improve equal access to healthcare, there are recommendations on expanding healthcare programs to all, increasing clinic hours past 5 pm and on weekends, increasing health literacy through health awareness campaigns, increasing prenatal care, and establishing an asthma working plan (Black & Adjaye-Gbewonyo, 2021). The community has also taken the initiative to improve access to care by increasing the number of health personnel, especially making use of community health workers who are conversant with the various ethnicity and races in the region. These approaches will seek to establish equal opportunities for healthcare access to all. Health Indicators of Behavioral Health Issues Health, being a broader concept of physical, mental, and social saneness rather than mere absences of disease, encompasses the essential behavioral health of an individual in an effort to establish an improved quality of life (Hanefeld & Fischer, 2021). Healthy behavioral practices address self-rated mental health, a feeling of well-being, and broad social participation in the community. Mental health, drug and substance abuse, and alcoholism were the main identified topics under the behavioral issues of the population of Ventura County (VCCHNAC, 2019). Alcoholism and substance abuse, including prescribed drugs, were identified as the leading behavioral issues in the county. The notable health indicators for alcohol were high liquor store density in the region. The ease of access to alcohol in the area was a leading cause of alcohol abuse, noted among adults and teenagers. Other indicators include the statistics of adults and teenagers involved in binge drinking and the number of hospitalizations as a result of alcohol consumption. It is reported that about 32% of motor vehicle accidents in the county are caused by alcoholism, making it a significant behavioral issue in the population’s health (VCCHNAC, 2019). On the other hand, about 37% of participants in a survey reported abusing prescription drugs (VCCHNAC, 2019). Drug-induced deaths were the 4th leading cause of premature death, accounting for 653.2 years lost between 2015 and 2017 (VCCHNAC, 2019). The health indicators for substance abuse were cases of synthetic opioid overdose, heroin overdose, and prescription of drugs with an opioid. Mental health has been recorded by almost 50% of the research conducted by Ventura County Community Health Needs Assessment Collaborative (2019) as a severe health problem. Emotional and mental well-being is a crucial component of health as they allow one to realize their potential, cope with stress, work productively and make essential contributions to the community. An alarming 33% of the participants in the study reported having poor mental health (VCCHNAC, 2019). The health indicators used to assess this issue were episodes of depression, thoughts of committing suicide and actual cases of suicide, and intentional self-inflicted injury. In this research, suicide was established as the 7th major cause of death, especially among teenagers (Mishara & Stijelja, 2020). To improve these issues, the Ventura administration has established task forces such as the Ventura County Opioid Abuse Suppression Taskforce, which plays a significant role in suppressing the use of opioid drugs in the county (VCCHNAC, 2019. Campaigns to create awareness of the health impacts of alcohol and substance abuse are also underway. To improve the population’s mental health, psychiatrists and guidance services have been made more accessible at the health institutions and community level. With these strategies, the behavioral practices of the population are bound to change and improve their health situation. Indicators of Ageing Problems As adults grow older, they become more susceptible to developing chronic conditions that require frequent healthcare. They may establish multiple health issues that cause a financial and care burden to the individual’s family. The deterioration of health due to old age is a significant issue in Ventura County that needs to be addressed. The health indicators for these problems are assessed as the prevalence of chronic old-age conditions such as stroke and diabetes, the population of older adults with Medicare and other insurance covers, the statistics of older adults that live alone, poverty levels of older adults and their access to care and healthy foods such as grocery stores (Moorman, 2020). More than average, older adults suffer from multiple chronic conditions, with some severe developing diseases such as cancer, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis (VCCHNAC, 2019). Most of the individuals are documented as being cared for by close family and friends away from the hospital, which are not qualified to provide care due to the financial burden of hospitalization. Older adults who live alone are more exposed to depression and isolation from the community that may develop other issues such as dementia. Those with multiple illnesses are also at risk of developing even more complications due to the sophisticated medications and their side effects. Health insurances such as Medicaid and Medicare have come in handy to provide financial assistance to older adults (Moorman, 2020). However, the older adults in Ventura County do not enjoy all the services of Medicare and Medicaid due to geographic restrictions of the services. To improve the age-related problems in the county, there are recommendations such as screening individuals that are likely to develop multiple chronic conditions when it is still early. There are also strategies for training non-medical healthcare givers in order to improve the care given to older adults away from hospitals. Health institutions have also formulated efforts and plans in doing follow-ups on discharged patients, monitoring their situation even when they are away from hospitals to improve their health. Other strategies include best discharge practices to reduce the rate of re-admissions, follow up of medical history through advanced electronic healthcare systems to reduce cases of wrong prescriptions and diagnosis, mobile care of older adults by healthcare providers, and bulk purchasing of pharmaceuticals to reduce the costs of buying medication (Ventura County Public Health, 2019). Indicators for Housing and Food Insecurity According to health care professionals, unmet socio-economic needs such as housing, transportation and food have a negative effect on the health of individuals. These issues are primarily caused by gaps in the services’ provision and increasing population, as noted in Ventura County. Housing and food security of the vulnerable groups in the county were reported to be significant issues that either caused health problems or made already existing conditions severe. The indicators for poor housing and food insecurity include homeownership, the statistics of the population that own their own homes, the number of people spending 30% and above of their earnings on income, and statistics of food insecure children ineligible for assistance. Housing stability and access to affordable housing rates in the form of rent influence the individual’s quality of life and economic stability. Ventura county is among the least affordable places for housing, with factors such as lack of transportation services to access the housing facilities affecting most of the minorities and those with social needs. According to the 2020 United States Census Bureau, the median gross rent ranges at $1,645, which is not affordable among many county residents. 50% of the population that could afford rent spent more than 29% of their salaries on rent, translating to fewer funds left for healthy nutrition and healthcare costs (VCCHNAC, 2019). The prevalence of street families, who account for about 1,400 adults and children, puts them at an increased danger of health disparities (VCCHNAC, 2019). The impact of food insecurity can be felt in situations such as the prevalence of chronic conditions such as obesity and anemia due to low-quality nutrition. Children who face food insecurity face great danger of behavioral and social issues and an increased risk of abuse, fighting, and bullying that might result in health issues. To mitigate the problem, Ventura has put in place measures such as creative housing that will enable the provision of affordable housing to the residents. The improvement of transportation systems in the county will also act as an acceleration to accessing affordable housing. Society is also pushing for decriminalization and prejudice against street families that put them in situations that pose a significant danger to their health, such as incarceration (Ventura County Public Health, 2019). There are also efforts to implement food insecurity and social needs screening in society and reduce the stigma related to hunger and food assistance, especially in schools (Ventura County Public Health, 2019). The government is determined to address food insecurity in children through school channels. Conclusion Ventura County’s health profile discloses that it faces various health issues that should be improved. These include; improved access to health services for all, proper management of chronic illnesses, provision of social needs such as adequate housing and food, provision of quality healthcare to the older adults, and improving the behavioral health of the residents. The data shown in several research reports indicate that these gaps need to be closed by addressing the socio-economic disparities in the county, improving the health institutions, and utilizing committed leadership in the various gaps. With the recommended strategy, the health profile of Ventura is likely to change in the coming years. References Black, L. I., & Adjaye-Gbewonyo, D. (2021). Urgent Care Center and Retail Health Clinic Utilization Among Adults: United States, 2019. Hanefeld, J., & Fischer, H. T. (2021). Global health: Definition, principles, and drivers. Handbook of Global Health, 3-27. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-030-45009-0_1?noAccess=true Mishara, B. L., & Stijelja, S. (2020). Trends in U.S. suicide deaths, 1999 to 2017, in the context of suicide prevention legislation. JAMA Pediatrics, 174(5), 499. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.6066 Moorman, S. M. (2020). Medicare and Medicaid. Dying in Old Age, 109-127. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351020183-8 U.S. Bureau. (2020). U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Ventura County, California. Census Bureau QuickFacts. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/venturacountycalifornia VCCHNAC. (2019). Health Matters in Ventura County. Ventura County Community Health Needs Assessment { A Report by The Ventura County Community Health Needs Assessment Collaborative (VCCHNAC) }, 196. https://www.dignityhealth.org/content/dam/dignity-health/pdfs/chna/chna-st-johns-pleasant-valley.pdf Ventura County Public Health. (2019). Community Health Priority Areas. https://www.healthmattersinvc.org/