A Comprehensive Assessment of Community Health Needs

Understanding the needs of the people we serve is crucial to our success in supporting our community. In late 2021, Salinas Valley Health and five other health-focused organizations joined to form the Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative, a partnership established to conduct a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) for Monterey County.

Breaking the Cycle of Diabetes

Recognizing that 45% of Monterey County residents have diabetes or prediabetes, in 2020 we joined forces with Montage Health to help break a cycle that has become multigenerational for far too many families. Together, we launched the Monterey County Diabetes Collaborative, which focused on awareness, workshops and free customized wellness coaching for adults and children. The innovative initiative earned recognition from the American Hospital Association with a joint 2022 Dick Davidson NOVA Award.

Maximizing Mental Health

The assessment called attention to the growing recognition of the importance of mental health, underscored by the pandemic, which increased awareness and common concern. CHNA mental health indicators for Monterey County reflect that 34% of county residents consider themselves in fair or poor mental health, 24% report being diagnosed with a depressive disorder, and more than half report having experienced symptoms of chronic depression. Breaking down barriers in this area is vital. Our holistic approaches range from everyday support of community and connection, through our health promotion classes and initiatives such as Blue Zones Project Monterey County, to targeted treatment through our behavioral health services.

Increasing Access to Quality Care

Access to services is fundamental and has been foundational in our approach to care since we opened our doors seven decades ago. Our public district healthcare system delivers high-quality care to everyone we serve. This includes offering patients convenience and peace of mind through rapid communication with physicians and the ability to easily see test results through MyChart. It also means increasing access to the highest quality healthcare, like we have done with the recent expansion of our state-of-the-art Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center in South Monterey County and the introduction of our Mobile Clinic. Our vision is a community where good health grows through every action, in every place, for every person. Opening new doors to access transforms that vision into reality.

Delivering Hope in the Form of Health

Opening greater access to healthcare, the Mobile Clinic delivers high-quality medical services where they are needed most. The outreach assists patients in our most underserved areas, building a more robust framework of inclusion and a stronger, healthier community.

Expanding Preventive and Specialty Care in Gonzales

After the Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center’s physical expansion was completed in 2020, Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System began expanding patient care and access for 2021.