The challenges we face in Compton:
Healthcare Disparities
Compton is a federally designate Pecton Meidcally Underserved Area and a Mental Health Professional Shorteage Area. Residents, primarily Latino and Black, experience some of the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, cancer, and asthma compared to Los Angeles County. The community relies too much on a healthcare system that does not adequately serve them, often leading to crisis-oriented healthcare.
Economic Vulnerability
58% of residents live below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Youth Impact
Within the Compton Unified School District (CUSD), 70% of the 18,000 who attend, screened positive for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which increases risk for attendance issues, behavior problems, and academic failure.
Healthcare Job Shortage
There's an acute shortage of health professionals, from the community, with over 1,000 open healthcare provider positions estimated. This ofen leads to reliance on traveling nurses who may not always be able to understand the cultural dynamics and issues in the community they work in.
Barriers to Training
Clinical training sites have historically been an obstacle for students completing health profession programs. Unlike other areas, south LA has no teaching hospitals to serve and train students.
Funding Gaps
Inadequate funding, levesl for community health centers, slow Medicaid reimbursement and impact on nursing staffing.
