Vital Signs Community Transformation Plan
The San Bernardino County (SBC) 2024-2025 Community Transformation Plan is an ambitious and comprehensive effort to address priority health issues identified in the 2024 Community Health Assessment (CHA) Report. Developed as a long-term, systematic process, it provides an opportunity to develop a shared vision for change including a common understanding of key health issues and how social factors impact our county’s health.
The Community Transformation Plan focuses on achieving meaningful improvements in SBC’s health outcomes over the next 3-5 years by targeting the three health priorities:
- Behavioral Health
- Chronic Disease
- Violence Prevention
The Community Transformation Plan emphasizes a dual approach of downstream interventions, which address immediate health needs, and upstream actions, which focus on tackling the root causes of health disparities. The plan reflects a collective commitment from local stakeholders and community leaders, working together to drive policy and system-level changes and transform the health and wellness of the SBC community.
The Community Transformation Plan serves as both a roadmap and a call to action for sustained cross-sector engagement among government agencies, healthcare organizations, community-based organizations, and residents to transform SBC into a healthier San Bernardino County.
Community Transformation Plan 2024-2029
Health Priority Areas
Behavioral Health
Behavioral health is intricately linked to physical health, social stability, and economic wellbeing, serving as a critical factor in overall quality of life. Individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges often face a higher risk of:
- Chronic physical health conditions such as:
- Heart disease, due to factors such as stress, poor nutrition, and lack of physical activity.
- Diabetes, as a result of lifestyle challenges, medication side effects, or unmanaged mental health conditions.
- Social and economic instability, including:
- Unstable employment, as mental health conditions can impair focus, productivity, or the ability to maintain consistent work.
- Insecure housing, with behavioral health issues contributing to homelessness or housing vulnerability.
- Involvement with the criminal justice system, due to untreated conditions or inadequate access to behavioral health services.
This interconnectedness underscores the importance of addressing behavioral health holistically within the Community Transformation Plan.
By prioritizing behavioral health interventions, SBC can make significant strides in improving not just individual health outcomes but also community-wide social and economic wellbeing.
Goal:
Improve mental health and decrease substance misuse in San Bernardino County
Injury and Violence Prevention
Injury and Violence Prevention is a critical focus area in the Community Transformation Plan, driven by alarming trends reported in the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) County Health Status Profiles 2023. The report highlights an increase in age-adjusted death rates due to accidents or unintentional injuries and a rise in drug overdose deaths in the county.
San Bernardino County exceeds both the California State average and the Healthy People 2030 targets for several injury- and violence-related metrics, including:
- Deaths due to homicide.
- Fatalities from accidents (including unintentional injuries).
- Motor vehicle traffic accidents.
- Firearm-related deaths.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address both the root causes and immediate factors contributing to injuries and violence. The Community Transformation Plan prioritizes the development and implementation of strategies that include:
- Community-based prevention programs focusing on education, awareness, and resilience building.
- Policy and environmental changes aimed at improving traffic safety, reducing firearm violence, and mitigating drug overdose risks.
- Collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, law enforcement, and social service organizations to deliver coordinated care and support to at-risk populations.
Goal:
Decrease incidences of violence in San Bernardino County.
Chronic Disease
Chronic diseases, which are conditions lasting one year or more and requiring ongoing medical care or limiting daily activities, are a significant public health concern in California and SBC. According to the National Vital Statistics System the leading cause of death in California in 2021 was heart disease, reflecting the widespread impact of chronic health conditions.
In SBC, the prevalence of high cholesterol among adults emerged as the most common chronic condition in 2021. Even more concerning, the prevalence of high cholesterol significantly increased between 2017 and 2021, signaling a growing health crisis that requires targeted interventions.
High cholesterol is a known risk factor for several life-threatening conditions, including:
- Heart disease, the leading cause of death in the state.
- Stroke is another significant contributor to morbidity and mortality.
Contributing Factors:
The rising prevalence of high cholesterol and other chronic diseases is often associated with:
- Unhealthy diets, such as high intake of saturated fats and processed foods.
- Physical inactivity, compounded by limited access to recreational spaces.
- Socioeconomic disparities, which limit access to preventive care, nutritious foods, and opportunities for an active lifestyle.
The Community Transformation Plan focuses on addressing the causes of chronic disease by:
- Community-based Prevention Efforts:
- Screening and Early Intervention:
- Policy and Systems Change:
Goal:
Decrease morbidity and mortality rates for chronic diseases in San Bernardino County.