Joseph Vang

Doctor Cassius Lockett (Ph.D.  Epidemiologist)

5 Trends in Sacramento, CA

Trend 1:  Health care reform is something that is occurring and affects millions of citizens in the Sacramento area and its surroundings.  For example, the ACA (Affordable Care Act) has helped many Californians.  Of the population, those affected and helped most are adults with low-income and those with pre-existing conditions or injuries.  There has been a lot of money that has been invested in helping California with its upcoming years in helping the populations with health issues.  Others that will be affected by the public health reforms are the young adults.  They are usually the ones with low income and need help the most as they start their own families and many of these reforms will help them access health care even if they can’t necessarily pay for it themselves.

Trend 2:  Low income health coverage (LIHP) is another program that helps the low income Californians.  Growing up in the heart of Sacramento, I know that there are a lot that fall into this category.  One thing about this program is that it only helps childless adults of very low income. This eliminates many people, but there are still a lot that will benefit from this program.  For example, an independent college student without a child may qualify for this program and receive help if he or she qualifies.  It is very simple to register as everything is online.

Trend 3: Another very important trend or issue is health insurance for the indigent population.  Again, growing up in Sacramento, I can just imagine all the people that would qualify and need the help from these programs.  This is a backup for the LIHP program for those that need even more help.  This is called County Medically Indigent Services and only helps those that really cannot afford to provide health care for themselves.  This is the low of the low in the poverty scale.  It is unfortunate that in this area there are many of these people, but with programs like this and trends of more programs to help them, they will be better taken care of. 

Trend 4: During the first week of 2013, influenza caused 2 deaths and 3 total cases.  This is why the advisory and encouragement of taking influenza shots at a young age is an issue in this area right now.  Growing up there, I know that there are people of a lot of different races and cultures.  Many of the older folks that did not grow up here in America don’t believe in chemical medicine and discourage their children from receiving preventative shots and because of that their grandchildren don’t receive the shots either. It is being encouraged more and also being explained more to parents because health professionals encourage the influenza vaccination shot from as young as 6 months old.

Trend 5: Isoniazid shortage is a trend and issue that is affecting not only the Sacramento area, but the nation.  There has been a shortage of isoniazid and this is an important drug in treating tuberculosis and tuberculosis infection.  The delay started in January and is said to be because of shipment delays.  They hope that by March, around this time, the drug will be in full availability again.  In the meantime, they are telling people to be careful and watching out for what they touch and come in contact with.  By doing so, they hope to prevent more people from getting this disease especially when the drug is short on hand.