Statistics show: a 10 year decline in teen birth rate; increase in women receiving prenatal care in the first trimester; decline in infant mortality; decline in gonorrhea, syphilis and AIDS; and decline in tuberculosis.

According to Dr. John Walker, Public Health Officer for Stanislaus County, " These are very encouraging trends in the areas of maternal and child health as well as communicable disease. Also be aware that it is our mission to improve the health of citizens of all ages. Therefore, our programs include the prevention of chronic diseases and injuries."

Previously identified health issues for Stanislaus County include: Unintentional deaths (including motor vehicles), cardiovascular disease, low birth weight and chlamydia. Community teams have been formed and are working on each of these four issue areas.

Two emerging health issues have been identified by Health Services Agency officials and are being closely monitored.

Hepatitis C has been identified as an emerging issue for Stanislaus County. Cases in California and Stanislaus County have continued to rise over the past five years. However, it is believed that the number of individuals becoming infected with the Hepatitis C virus in California are not necessarily increasing, but the number being newly diagnosed is increasing. This is an epidemic of awareness more than a real epidemic of infection. People are being diagnosed more often because there is more awareness among health providers who now test before performing surgery and also test high-risk individuals. Also, a large group of people having used intravenous drugs during the 1970’s are now becoming symptomatic and seeking medical care.

Black infant health is a national issue and an issue in Stanislaus County as well. African Americans in Stanislaus County have the highest low birth weight percentages when compared to any other race or ethnicity. While making up a small proportion of the population (2.6%) in Stanislaus County, African Americans have the highest infant mortality rate at 16 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) is an outpatient medical system with 9 medical offices located throughout Stanislaus County. The HSA operates the Public Health Department, an Urgent Care Center and multiple programs serving over 400,000 patients and clients each year in Stanislaus County. The HSA also is in local partnerships for the MOMobile project and the Stanislaus Family Practice Residency Program. The HSA has extensive community health information available at its web site www.hsahealth.org