Center for Health Connection
Beach cities residents who are underinsured, uninsured or need assistance navigating the social and health care options available to them in the South Bay can find assistance through the Center for Health Connection (CHC). CHC maintains a large database of local resources and refers qualified residents. It also offsets some of costs of basic medical, dental and mental health care services for qualified low-income residents through pre-negotiated and subsidized rates with community partners.
CHC is also involved in local, state and national emergency preparedness efforts that will allow our neighborhoods to respond and rebuild in the event of a disaster.
The Need
- In 2009, 20 percent of Californians were uninsured, including 23 percent of working adults.
- 2.7 million adults and children (28.9%) in Los Angeles experienced some period of uninsurance in 2009. Job-based coverage in Los Angeles County was only 43.3 percent.
- One in five Californians report the need for mental health services and approximately one in 25 reported symptoms associated with serious psychological distress.
- One in four children (25%) in California have never seen a dentist.
Objectives
- Empower residents to make informed health care decisions through improved health literacy and increased access to health care and social services.
- Enable individuals and families to achieve optimal health through informed healthy lifestyle decision-making.
- Build and sustain personal and community resilience through disaster preparedness.
Programs & Services
- Information and Referrals: Anybody can call, drop-in or email to receive detailed information about the vast array of services available within the South Bay and greater Los Angeles area.
- Health Care Access: Individuals and families who meet low-income guidelines can receive access to subsidized basic health care services.
- Medical Reserve Corps: An on-call group of licensed health care volunteers trained and poised to assist first responders during a large-scale local emergency or disaster.
Results in Previous Year
- 1,200 children had access to medical, dental and mental health services.
- The Center for Health Connection provided information and/or referrals to 5,900 uninsured or underinsured members of our community.
- 1,500 uninsured or underinsured adults received low- or no-cost medical and mental health services.
- More than 80 medical and mental health professionals were on-call for disaster response thanks to the Medical Reserves Corps.
PDF fact sheets for download:
Center for Health Connection