Health Equity

Moving Together Towards Health Equity

Multi ethnic guys and girls taking selfie outdoors.San Joaquin County (SJC) is one of the fastest growing counties in California, with nearly 780,000 residents.1 The County includes seven cities, many small towns, and numerous rural farm and ranching communities.

The population is a very ethnically and linguistically diverse mix. As of 2023, the population was 28.7% White, 42.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 6.7% Black or African American, and 5.2% other ethnicities.

A greater percentage of the SJC population lives below federal poverty levels as compared to the state average. Lower educational attainment is directly related to the lower income and higher rates of poverty.

Furthermore, place matters: health is linked to geography-based conditions that tend to concentrate resources and opportunities for healthful living in some places while bypassing others. Life span is foreshortened by 20+ years in the most impoverished neighborhoods throughout SJC.

With this in mind, addressing health disparities and inequities is a priority. This webpage includes an overview of health equity, as well as resources and actions we can all take to promote health equity across all of our communities.

1United States Census Bureau, QuickFacts: San Joaquin County, California 

A state in which every person has the opportunity to attain his or her full health potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of socioeconomic or environmental conditions or policies.

Graphic illustrating the difference between equality (giving everyone the same thing) and equity (giving people what they need).

(Source: Adapted from CDC, Promoting Health Equity,2008)

Three young African American people working over a laptop.Research has shown that racial and ethnic minority groups experience higher rates of illness and death due to a variety of health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, and heart disease.

Examining population and community data by race/ethnicity is the first step to identify racial disparities and address how to close the gaps.

A group of people with their hands together.

RCAC was created in 2020 to bring together community partners who serve the most vulnerable populations throughout San Joaquin County and who are most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a collective action approach, the RCAC meets monthly to engage community partners and residents in the development of messages for the community, establish community outreach and disease mitigation activities, and gather feedback on planned activities.

For more information about the RCAC, contact shill2@sjcphs.org.

Interested in receiving information about upcoming RCAC meetings and updates? Please complete this form.

Know the facts about conditions that contribute to poor health outcomes, and the strategies that improve community health. Visit "CountyHealthRankings.org.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website offers plenty of helpful information:

Get involved in efforts to support educational equity in your community

  • American Public Health Association: Health Equity
  • Join the Resilient Community Advisory Committee (RCAC). For More Information about the RCAC, contact shill2@sjcphs.org.

Call out prejudice such as racism, sexism, genderism, ageism, and ableism.

Be aware of legislation that affects your community, such as housing laws and allocation of funding. Mobilize community members to collectively advocate for decision-making that promotes wellbeing for everyone.

View Data, Reports and Publications to gain an overview of the greatest health needs in San Joaquin County and how they are being addressed.

What does "Social Inequity" mean to you?

We asked community members what social inequities mean to them. Here's what they said.

“The first thing I think of is social economic factors, pollution, higher mortality rate. Those living below federal poverty level.”

"I would say, someone who is 'marginalized' or 'oppressed'. May be 'undeserved' maybe a better term."

Three young African American people working over a laptop."I feel it as a first generation [college] student [and] low-income student who is applying for college."

"Look at our neighborhoods and single parent households."

"People who have had unfair or unequal treatment or access."

"Low-income. People who live below the poverty line."

"Structural segregation."

"Persons economically challenged. Disenfranchised due to gender, age, sexual orientation, race, religion and class."

"Socially impacted communities, system impacted communities, because there are systems, historically have left out communities, especially communities of color."