Staff Perspectives
Staff Perspective
The Health Policy & Planning staff at San Mateo County Health offer their perspective on public health issues featured in our newsletters.
Active Transportation for All San Mateo County Residents
Active transportation, or the use of any human powered mode of transportation such as walking or biking, is an important element in staying healthy. When people are physically inactive this can compound preventable health issues like obesity, diabetes, or heart disease, but not everyone has the same opportunities for staying active. These opportunities include infrastructure, such as sidewalks, cross walks, or bike lanes, or it can mean having a safe environment, public transportation within walking distance, or other resources nearby, such as grocery stores.
Income Insecurity and Housing for the Senior Population
The population aged 65 years and older in San Mateo County makes up about 14% of the overall county population but is expected to increase over the next forty years. Population projections show this age group more than doubling by 2060, while showing a decrease in the population under the age of 65 (Chart 1). With these projections in mind, working toward increasing housing options for this age group will support their ability to live long and healthy lives here in San Mateo County.
Supporting Academic Achievement
Research shows that academic achievement is closely related to health outcomes throughout the life course. Working with the goal of reducing health inequities and improving health outcomes, we support academic achievement through implementation of restorative practices in our schools and across San Mateo County school districts.
A New Lens on Health
Hello Get Healthy SMC partners!
As many of you may know, Maeve Johnson will be on leave for a few months. While Maeve is away, I will be handling her workload pertaining to healthy housing issues throughout San Mateo County and engaging in city planning efforts in south county as relevant to healthy communities. My background is in city planning and public health, and I hold a Ph.D. in city and regional planning from UC Berkeley. My research at UC Berkeley explored issues of environmental justice and land use in California’s Central Valley.
A More Inclusive and Sustainable Economy
Hi Get Healthy Partners!
I’m excited to introduce myself and to have this venue to share my perspective on how health and economics overlap and what it takes to build a healthy economy in our county. I am the new Community Health Planner, and I am coordinating the Healthy Economy program. I look forward to working with all of you to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy that promotes the well-being of all San Mateo County residents and workers.
Home for All
We know that housing and health have a strong connection. When people have access to safe, affordable homes, they experience better health. That’s why we’re excited to be part of San Mateo County’s Home for All initiative. Home for All is a Countywide effort to build more homes in the county to meet the needs of residents and the demands of a growing workforce.
Data for Healthier Days
Dear Get Healthy Partners,
Last time I wrote, I discussed how data can make an impact and what resources Get Healthy San Mateo County (GHSMC) has coming down the pipeline to equip our partners with data. I am very excited to share that GHSMC has just expanded our data portal with more social, environmental, economic, and health indicators!
Better, Fuller Plates
Food is a central part of our lives during Thanksgiving and the holiday season. It’s also an opportune time to reflect upon the issue of hunger and food insecurity that affects millions of people across the country who struggle with not having enough food, are unable to afford a balanced and nutritious diet, or are unsure when or where their next meal will be.
Minding the Gap in Las Muertes
I lead our Epidemiology program at the San Mateo County Health System and assist with statistical analysis and provide data for policy and program planning. Our Epidemiologists at the Health System help to ensure our policy work is grounded in evidence. Through data reports and requests, we share health information with community members and other stakeholders on the health of San Mateo County.
A Year of Implementing Your Healthy Vision
Get Healthy San Mateo County Partners and Friends,
It’s been almost one year since we released our 2015-2020 strategic plan that highlights the four key priorities you identified for the collaborative. As Health System staff supporting Get Healthy San Mateo County (GHSMC), over this last year we’ve learned a lot about the key priority areas, engaged new areas of work, built new skills, and developed new partnerships. We’ve learned from all of you!
Farm to School
The majority of children in San Mateo County and across the country are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. Get Healthy San Mateo County (GHSMC) is working hard to change that by supporting Farm to School initiatives in San Mateo County schools that encourage students to become more engaged in the food system and increase their interest in lifelong healthy eating.
Tools to Build Health
Where we live, work, play and learn have an impact on our health—the availability and accessibility of public transit, safe places for us to walk or bike, our incomes, and even how much we spend to live in our communities affects the quality and length of our lives. Each of the above considerations is a choice we make every day, yet the health of a community is not always factored in by policymakers from the local to federal levels.
Talking Health
How can we share information that inspires people to take action for their health?
Many people lack basic access to services, which includes information about health and conditions that impact health in their community. Many times even when people have access to information it is not always presented as clearly as possible. This ultimately produces the same result: people lacking the resources to take action for their health and neighborhood.
Earning Health
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Mountain View, El Cerrito, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale… The list of jurisdictions raising their minimum wages has grown exponentially in the past several years, culminating this spring with the near simultaneous signing of statewide $15 minimum wage legislation in both New York and California. Originating in high-cost large metropolises, the movement has spread to whole states and smaller cities, including many throughout Silicon Valley.
A Healthy Constitution
Over a year ago, I sat with East Palo Alto (EPA) residents and listened as they identified health problems facing their community. They discussed more obvious health concerns such as EPA’s high rate of asthma (over twice the County’s rate) and challenges with accessing healthcare. Residents also raised issues like overcrowding in housing, the lack of middle income jobs, and inadequate transportation to connect the community to opportunities. This workshop was part of EPA’s effort to link health to the City’s long range planning process.
A new partner in community health
By Cassius Lockett, Public Health Policy & Planning Director
Greetings, Get Healthy San Mateo County Community,
As the new Public Health Director at the San Mateo County Health System, I am excited to have the privilege to serve all who live, work, and play in San Mateo County. Having worked at the federal, state, and local level, I’m excited to continue working to reduce health disparities and promote health equity here in San Mateo County.
Growing up and out of San Mateo County
Hi, Get Healthy SMC partners!
Many of you know me as the friendly face checking you in at our events, answering any questions during the RFP process, and supporting you so you can continue the great work you do to create healthy, equitable communities. I’ve been working with Get Healthy SMC for over six years and have seen the power of our partnerships – recognizing we can all achieve more and be more effective than working alone.
Renewed Energy, Clear Vision
Get Healthy San Mateo County Family and Friends,
2016 is here and what an exciting year it promises to be for Get Healthy SMC and our partners! The vision of healthy, equitable communities that all of you developed over the course of 5 workshops, focus groups and surveys, was compelling, comprehensive and inspiration:
Sharing and Caring
As a Communications Specialist with Get Healthy San Mateo County, I help strategize how to communicate our four priorities for building healthy, equitable communities for all in San Mateo County to create policy level change. I have the privilege of working with a smart, dedicated team of public health practitioners who work hand-in-hand with you – our cities, partners, county agencies, hospitals, schools, and leaders – to help San Mateo County residents live longer and better lives.
A vision for a Healthy, Equitable San Mateo County
Hello, Friends, and Family of Get Healthy San Mateo County – This has been an exciting month for us!