Building Healthy Communities 
Newsletter 
March 2017
Partners Launch Campaign Against Medi-Cal Expansion Repeal

Public health officials, community leaders, churches, and residents launched an educational campaign about the human and economic impacts of the Medi-Cal expansion. The campaign was launched early this month and includes billboards, radio spots and print ads in the Bakersfield Californian. 

Below are several of the potential effects a repeal of Medi-cal expansion will have on Kern's economy:
  • Our public agencies are already facing slashed budgets--an additional $305 million would be eliminated from Kern County's economy.
  • People would lose their jobs--about 4,000 jobs in health care and other industries will be lost.
  • Our shortage of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals would be made even worse.
  • Our local hospitals are finally being paid for the care they are providing--a trend we want to maintain.
  • More than 95,000 residents would lose coverage, leaving them with no support when illness, injury or accidents occur.
Join our campaign. Send us a message to learn how you can work with us.



State Senate Health Committee Hearing Held in Bakersfield

On Thursday, Jan. 19 the County of Kern hosted the State Senate Health Committee where members heard from public health organizations and residents about the human and economic impacts of the Medi-Cal expansion should it be repealed.

"Thanks for giving Kern residents the opportunity to tell you about the impact the Affordable Care Act has had in our lives," said Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez during the hearing.

The California Endowment's Dr. Tony Iton, also addressed the committee during public comment. He spoke about the devastating consequences a repeal would have on human health. 

"It could be a devastating decision for Americans with mental illness," said Dr. Iton. "Not the time to dismantle the health care safety net anywhere, particularly for a population that desperately needs it."

Cancer Patient Recounts How Obamacare Saved His Life

South Kern Sol, Diana Cisneros

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Enrique Sanchez, 49, still remembers July 14, 2015. That was the date when laboratory tests confirmed what the trucker had: multiple myeloma.

It's a cancer formed by plasma cells that have turned malignant. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system. Few cases of the disease are linked to risk factors that can be avoided, so there is no known way to prevent most multiple myelomas from developing.

The disease weakens the kidneys and bones. At the time of his diagnosis, Sanchez's kidneys were functioning at 12 percent capacity. He developed a C-2 vertebral fracture because of which he couldn't return to work, which resulted in an end to his employer-sponsored health benefits.

Sanchez's life became a nightmare. He was jobless, had limited mobility and endless pain. Paying his medical bills and supporting his wife and three children, all of whom were in college, became very challenging.

As Sanchez transitioned into an unfamiliar world of medical jargon, he said he became scared. He feared what the future held for him.

The one bright spot in all this was that he and his family now qualified for Medi-Cal, the state's name for Medicaid, the health insurance coverage for low-income people. The program gave him a fighting chance to live.

Read more here.
Study: Middle Aged Whites in Central Valley Are Dying Younger

A recent study produced by the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University for The California Endowment shows the death rate among middle-aged Whites in California's Central Valley is rising, primarily due to social and economic conditions.
 
The study found that when comparing death rates in four Central Valley counties (Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Tulare) to death rates for the State as a whole, middle-aged (40-64 years old) Whites in the Central Valley had a nearly 40 percent higher death rate compared to middle-aged Whites across the State.
 
Good Neighbor Agreement Reached Between Compost Facility and Community Groups

 
Committee for a Better Arvin, Comite Progreso de Lamont, and Center on Race Poverty and the Environment (CRPE) reached an agreement with Recology over the company's new operation of Recology Blossom Valley Organics, a composting facility outside of Lamont. 

"This agreement signifies a new beginning for the residents of Lamont and Arvin in terms public health and safety, and a partnership between Recology and the local community," wrote CRPE in a press release. 

The community agreement will ensure the operation is safe, protects public health, and also makes significant financial investments in the community.

"Recology has committed to installing an aeration system that will reduce pollution by at least 80 percent, this commitment was a driving factor for the community groups to enter into negotiations," read the press release. "The goals of the agreement are to maintain an open line of communication with the nearby residents of Lamont, Weedpatch and Arvin, improve neighborhood safety and livability, and ensure a high quality of environmental standards are met."

The history of relationships between economically disadvantaged communities and industrial corporations is often one of conflict. This win is an example of how corporations can work together with residents and why it's important that corporations engage community residents into business processes. 
Arvin Action Park Grand Opening, March 24

The newly constructed action park in DiGiorgio Park is almost complete and ready for area youth to enjoy. Please join us for the grand opening  of Arvin's newest youth attraction to be held at  DiGiorgio Park in Arvin  on  Friday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m

After months of advocating for a skate park, Arvin youth who participate in Bike Bakersfield's Arvin bike kitchen, will soon see their dream become a reality.

Building youth leaders and creating safe places for youth is one of Building Healthy Communities South Kern's priorities. And t his park is an example of how community organizations can work together with local government to help build youth leadership. 

Parks also help improve health outcomes. According to Kern County Network for Children's 2016 Report Card, in Kern, "25.5 percent of 5th graders, 23.8 percent of 7th graders and 20.8 percent of 9th graders were in the high-risk category for body composition." 

The skate park was made possible thanks to a partnership between the City of Arvin, Bike Bakersfield, Tony Hawk Foundation, Mountain Side Disposal, and Building Healthy Communities South Kern.

BHC-SK applauds the City of Arvin for listening and wanting to engage youth in the design process. This partnership proves the rewarding results for a community when community groups work together with local government to create opportunities for young people.
KEJC Launches LCFF Awareness Campaign

Building Healthy Communities South Kern's Kern Education Justice Collaborative  has launched a campaign to inform residents about the Local Control Funding Formula and encourage parents to give feedback on the  Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). The LCAP details the districts' annual goals and details how funds will be spend to increase or improve services for students. 

The KHSD has millions of dollars to use to help low-income students, foster youth and English Language Learners. Join us in telling the KHSD to stop focusing on guns and help our students graduate and get ready for their future.

Recently, the Kern High School District (KHSD) voted to allow teachers to carry handguns on campus, a vote in November that community members say was politics at its worst. The board held the meeting at unusual date and time, and chose to put their personal political agendas ahead of students' needs. 

For more information about this effort or to get involved, please call the KEJC at (661) 322-3033.
Best Selling Author Jonathan Kozol Shines a Light on Education Inequality, March 25

Building Healthy Communities South Kern, CSU Bakersfield's Social Justice Center and the Kern Rural Teacher Residency will host best-selling author Jonathan Kozol as he leads future and current educators and advocates in a discussion about educational inequality and racial justice. 

Kozol, in his latest book, 'Savage Inequalities," brings into question the reality of equal opportunity in the country's public education system.

The free event takes place Saturday, March 25 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Cal State Bakersfield's  Dore Theatre, 9000 Stockdale Hwy. Free parking is available in Lots B and C. Please click here to register for the event. 
Bakersfield College to Host Public Health Hackathon

We are proud to announce that Building Healthy Communities South Kern is sponsoring Bakersfield College's Public Health Hackathon, an event that will bring together public health and science students to develop solutions to community health challenges. 

One of the challenges that will be poised to students is the need for a Building Healthy Communities South Kern application, so that partners can be connected and communicate in real time. 

The free event takes place March 17, 18, & 19 at Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Dr.  in Bakersfield. Participants interested in collaborating can sign up for the hackathon at bcinnocates.com. For more information, please call Allyssa Haas at (661) 368-5482.


Attorneys Come Together to Inform Immigrants of their Rights

South Kern Sol, Randy Villegas

In a room packed full of concerned community members, a coalition of 12 lawyers assembled at CSUB's student union on Tuesday. Their objective? To clarify confusion about recently proposed policies by the United States President and more importantly, to inform immigrants of their rights. 

"We are here for you. To let you know about your rights. So you know the dangers that exist today. We are here to try to educate you in that way. Even in dark times, we are with you," said Attorney H.A. Sala during the forum. "Keep moving forward and please know there are protections out there for you, especially the constitution of this great country."

The town hall was hosted by the Immigration Justice Collaborative and is part of series of forums being held throughout the County of Kern to provide general information on immigration and civil rights. Audience members had the opportunity to speak with attorneys one-on-one at no cost.

We have the power to build healthy communities for the next generation.

 

In This Issue



Thanks to everyone who signed-on to this important educational campaign.





 

Health Happens Here
  In partnership with
The California Endowment