KING CITY, Calif., — Each year, the third Thursday in November is set aside to highlight rural communities as wonderful places to live and work, to increase awareness of rural health-related issues, and to promote the efforts of organizations that address these issues.
As the only comprehensive medical services within 40 miles of its base in King City, Mee Memorial will celebrate National Rural Health Day with its neighbors on Nov. 18. Kicking off the celebration will be two readings prior to Rural Health Day by Dr. Joshua Deutsch, M.D. a family physician at Mee Memorial in King City and Greenfield, who has authored 10 children’s books created for free distribution in farmworking communities.
Deutsch's book readings are set to take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, Vineyard Green Townhomes, 130 13th St., in Greenfield; and 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, Villa San Miguel, 1201 Amherst Dr., in King City.
Both locations are after school groups for kids provided by Sol Treasures, a CHISPA community service partner that provides both in-person art classes and/or art kits as an after-school activity. Groups typically consist of about 16 to 24 kids, ages 7 to 12.
Some of his books are wordless, allowing indigenous language speakers and parents who don’t read to engage in bedtime storytelling with their children. The books address important health-related themes including nutrition, physical activity, diabetes, and also feature characters of indigenous and Latin American descent.
Deutsch formed a nonprofit, Justice with Health, to manage the book program and other planned initiatives. In the opening launch last month, Deutsch distributed 18,000 of his books at about $1 each to Mee Memorial, Natividad Hospital, Alisal Clinic and Touro Medical School.
The program uses economy of scale to lower costs and make book distribution affordable to health centers. In addition, the books are available for free download from justicewithhealth.com.
This year’s theme for National Rural Health Day is “Celebrate the Power of Rural,” with plans to honor the community-minded spirit that prevails in the American countryside. There are many advantages to living in rural areas, among them less noise, more privacy, a close proximity to nature and a strong sense of community.
As part of those efforts, Mee Memorial has launched a poster contest that is open to all South Monterey County public and private students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Poster submissions should reflect the 2021 theme.
Prizes will be awarded to individuals (as well as to classrooms) for first, second and third place. Winners and teachers will be announced and notified on Rural Health Day, Thursday, Nov. 18.
Entries will be accepted through Friday, Nov. 12. Students must send a photo or a PDF via email to media@thebuzzpr.net or through the U.S. mail (postmarked on or before Nov. 12) to: 1320-B Main St., #235 Salinas, CA 93901-2109.
An estimated 57 million people — nearly 1 in 5 Americans — live in rural communities throughout the United States.
Many of these rural communities face a variety of barriers that adversely affect their overall physical, social and mental health status.
According to the National Rural Health Association, the following statistics help define healthcare challenges in rural areas across the country:
Although 25 percent of Americans live in rural areas, only 10 percent of physicians practice in them.
Rural residents tend to have a per capita income that is $9,242 lower than residents in urban areas.
Approximately 1 out of 4 rural children live in poverty.
Over the past 25-years, more than 500 rural hospitals have closed.
Rural residents face greater problems with medical transportation than residents living in urban areas.
Approximately 20 percent of rural counties lack not only basic mental health services but any mental health services at all.
Approximately 54 percent of rural Americans lack access to high-speed internet. This can make it more difficult for them to access their health information from home.
Tobacco use is a significantly higher problem among rural youth than it is urban youth.
Rural communities have higher unemployment rates and more uninsured residents, which can result in limited access to healthcare.
Rates of diabetes and coronary heart disease are higher in rural areas than urban areas.
About CHISPA
Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association, Inc., (CHISPA) is a nonprofit, Community-based Housing Development Organization whose mission is to “improve people’s lives and create healthy neighborhoods by developing, selling, owning, and managing affordable homes.” As the largest private nonprofit affordable housing developer in Monterey County, CHISPA has produced over 2,400 affordable housing units for the area's low and moderate-income residents.
In addition to providing low-cost residences for homeowners, CHISPA also provides multi-family low-income rental housing, operating 20+ properties for qualified, low-income residents. Turnover is very low due to affordability and residents turn into long-term renters.
In these communities CHISPA is also a community service provider. CHSIPA residents and surrounding community members are invited to participate. CHISPA partners with other nonprofits to provide programs that benefit residents and the surrounding neighborhood; the belief is that healthy neighborhoods benefit all residents.
Partners include the YMCA, Boys and Girl Scouts Clubs, First 5, Sol Treasures and Headstart. Outreach includes programs for adults, seniors and youth.
Comments
Post a Comment