Abstract
 Using GIS to Identify Behavioral Healthcare Underserved Areas Track: Health and Human Services Author(s): Kristy Meyer, Krista Hanni, Patricia Zerounian, Alicia Hendricks, Wayne Clark California's 2005 Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) resulted in a county-level concerted effort to address disparities in the behavioral health arena. Monterey County provides a contrast between low wage service workers in the tourism and agricultural industries and the extreme wealth of other residents with associated racial/ethnic diversity and behavioral healthcare delivery issues. As part of MHSA, patterns of service need and use in Monterey County were explored. ArcEditor was used to model areas of predicted provider shortages. Data were collected on clients seen by Monterey County behavioral health service providers. The spatial distribution of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic status indicators for behavioral health clients and the county's population as a whole were investigated. The model was compared to the number of clients treated to describe potential gaps in service delivery and needs. The paper discusses these methods' potential benefits for better behavioral health planning and policy development. Kristy Meyer Monterey County Health Department Office of the Health Officer 1270 Natividad Road Salinas , CA 93906 US Phone: 831.755.4698 E-mail: meyerkj1@co.monterey.ca.us Krista Hanni Monterey County Health Department 1270 Natividad Road Salinas , CA 93906 US Phone: 831.755.4586 E-mail: hannikd@co.monterey.ca.us Patricia Zerounian Monterey County Health Department 1270 Natividad Road Salinas , CA 93906 US Phone: 831.755.4583 E-mail: zerounian@co.monterey.ca.us Alicia Hendricks Monterey County Health Department Behavioral Health Division 1270 Natividad Road Salinas , CA 93906 US Phone: 831.726.1295 E-mail: hendricksa@co.monterey.ca.us Wayne Clark Monterey County Health Department Behavioral Health Division 1270 Natividad Road Salinas , CA 93906 US Phone: 831.755.4510 E-mail: clarkww@co.monterey.ca.us |
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