UCLA survey shows alarming increase in challenges to health of Californians

Key takeawaysRising food insecurity and hate incidents are two of the many factors affecting the health of Californians, with major variations across socioeconomic and racial or ethnic groups.Difficulty accessing health care means that many in the state do not receive the help they need.Californians have continuing increases in mental health needs, with the need highest in the LGBTQ+ community.​​​​​High rates of food insecurity, hate incidents and difficulties accessing health care were at the forefront of issues affecting the health of Californians in 2022, according to the annualCalifornia Health Interview Survey, or CHIS, released today by theUCLA Center for Health Policy Research.According to 2022 data from CHIS, the nation ’s largest annual health survey on a single state, a growing number of low-income adults (those living below 200% of the federal poverty level) struggled to access nutritious and affordable food. In 2022, 44% of these low-income Californians were not able to afford enough food, up from 35.8% in 20 20. The most significant increase in food insecurity between 2020 and 2022 occurred among low-income, working-age adults, with the figure jumping 11 percentage points among those ages 18–24, to 47.7%; 8.6 percentage points among those 25–39, to 51.4%; and 12.4 percentage points among those 40– 64, to 48%.Among racial or ethnic groups, Latino adults experienced the highest increase in food insecurity, with a 9.6 percentage point increase, to...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news