LAKEPORT >> While Lake County boasts breathtaking scenery and a wealth of natural resources, the county consistently ranks among the lowest in California in regards to key health indicators.
Every three years, each county is required by the federal government to assess the health of its residents using metrics such as average age of mortality, rate of preventable diseases, and availability of health-related resources.
The 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment reported that Lake County’s areas of improvement included mental health resources, access to healthcare, homelessness and housing, drug and alcohol abuse services, and preventative health education.
Multiple agencies across the area are adapting strategies to pool resources, identify priorities, and tackle the task of helping boost the health of Lake County. Resources available to the community include free wellness support groups, hosted monthly by Sutter Lakeside Hospital; care management services provided by St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s Live Well Program; and substance abuse services provided by Lakeview Health Center.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital will also target expanding access to health care services by continuing the breast cancer navigation program, hosting stroke and chronic illness support groups, and hosting free physical therapy classes for seniors to improve balance and flexibility.
Lakeview Health Center is expanding its drug and alcohol abuse services to address the identified need throughout Lake County. To treat the whole person, the program provides medication, case management services and behavioral health support.
Lakeview offers patients a team approach to care, bringing together counselors, case managers, care coordinators and specialty referrals. As a result, patients can access new health education opportunities, wellness support and counseling, if needed—all provided within regular medical care services.
St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake increased wellness efforts in the last three years by hiring a dedicated community wellness director, and adding two support positions in the community wellness department. SHHCL leads SafeRx Lake County, a collaborative of local agencies focusing on prescription opioid use and misuse.
The organization’s Live Well program launched an intensive outpatient care management program to provide a dedicated health care advocate to patients to help coordinate services, schedule appointments and coordinate communications between providers and community agencies. The program recently celebrated its first anniversary and is expanding to include even more patients.
The results of the 2016 CHNA can be viewed at sutterlakeside.org/about/community-needs-assessment.html.
