Tuesday, June 17, 2025
6/17/2025
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - Located in the southern part of California, Kern County is the third-largest county in the state by land area. It covers approximately 8,163 square miles and is home to a diverse population. As of the latest available U.S Census data, the county's population is estimated to be around 930,000 people, comprised of approximately 56% Hispanic, 31% White, 7% African American, 3% Asian, and 3% other. Kern County encompasses a range of geographical features, including the southernmost part of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, the southern Central Valley, and the western edge of the Mojave Desert. While the county boasts significant agricultural and energy production, it also faces notable disparities. Kern County's service area is marked by a population grappling with low educational attainment, restricted employment mobility, increased poverty rates, and limited access to healthcare. Alarming statistics place Kern County as the 52nd out of 57 in overall health outcomes in California. These disparities are evident in the unequal distribution of healthcare resources, limited access to quality care, and gaps in health outcomes among different county service areas. According to recent data, a staggering 35% of Kern County's population resides in rural areas, which often face unique challenges in accessing healthcare due to limited resources, geographic isolation, and a shortage of healthcare professionals; resulting in limited access to primary care and specialty services. Kern County’s large land area is sparsely populated and underserved by healthcare facilities. The consequences of the inadequate healthcare infrastructure in underserved Kern County communities manifest in distressing health disparities. Studies have revealed higher rates of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, in these areas compared to more urbanized regions. Limited access to preventative care exacerbates these conditions, leading to increased hospitalizations and poorer health outcomes. To address these challenges, Kern Medical is focusing efforts to increasing access to healthcare in Kern County's rural areas by expanding telehealth services and establishing mobile community health clinics. These efforts will aim to improve access to primary care, specialty care, and preventative services in rural areas of Kern County including: Arvin, Lamont, Taft, Delano, Wasco, Ridgecrest, and Lost Hills. Kern Medical’s mobile clinics will bring healthcare directly to the doorstep of rural and underserved areas to bridge the gap and provide vital medical services to those who need it most. The flexibility of Kern Medical’s mobile clinics will allow healthcare professionals to offer comprehensive primary care, preventative screenings, vaccinations, and health education to individuals who may have otherwise gone without. By leveraging the power of mobile health clinics, Kern Medical can provide life-saving care and address the pressing healthcare challenges faced by rural communities. The available data overwhelmingly supports the efficacy of these mobile clinics in improving health outcomes, reducing health disparities, and enhancing the overall well-being of vulnerable populations.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).