IMPORTANT: Example of a notice we can place on the top the page for urgent matters. Can be added/removed easily.

Call to Action

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Sampling of Specific Findings

The self-reported health status for the Monterey County population reflects 10% identify themselves in excellent health, 71% in very good or good health, and 19% as fair or poor health.
The prevalence of diabetes is highest in the Salinas area (15% of the population), exceeding both the state prevalence (9.8%) and the US (13.8%). Diabetes is also most notable in the 65+ age group reaching 20%.
Mental health indicators for Monterey County reflect that 34% of county residents consider themselves to be in fair or poor mental health, 24% report being diagnosed with a depressive disorder and more than half (51%) report having experienced symptoms of chronic depression. Those categories most impacted by symptoms of chronic depression include women, persons ages 18-39, very-low and low-income individuals and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Unintended drug-related deaths climbed in Monterey County over the past four years to reach 15 per 100,000. This is equal to the state rate and below the national average of 21 per 100,000. More women in Monterey County (47%) say their life has been negatively affected by drug use by themselves or someone else than men (33%).
A significantly higher percentage of Monterey County residents report barriers to accessing medical care than reported nationwide. Nearly 53% expressed challenges simply getting a doctor’s appointment (15% nationwide); 36% finding a doctor (9% nationwide), 34% expressed inconvenient office hours are a barrier (13% nationwide) and 30% reported the cost of a doctor’s visit is a barrier (13% nationwide).
While 31% of Monterey County residents overall indicated they would be unable to pay cash for a $400 Emergency Expense, that number was higher in South County (35%) and Salinas (34%) than the Monterey Peninsula (24%).
28% of Monterey County residents find it very or somewhat difficult to buy affordable fresh produce, with Salinas and South County residents disproportionately impacted.
The leading cause of death in Monterey County during 2020 (most recent county vital statistics) was cancer (18.2%), followed closely by heart disease (17.9%) while COVID-19 placed third (8.5%). The prevalence of cancer was most often detected in those age 65 and older (27.7%).