Report to Our Community Sources

READ THE FULL 2023 REPORT HERE

Seeds of Change

Food and nutrition insecurity is defined as the limited ability to acquire adequate healthy foods. 

“Food Security in the U.S.: Measurement.” United States Department of Agriculture.

Adults who experience food and nutrition insecurity are 2-3 times more likely to have diabetes.

“Food and Nutrition Insecurity and Diabetes: Understanding the Connection.” Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

44% of people experiencing homelessness struggle to manage their diabetes.

“Diabetes Management Interventions for Homeless Adults: A Systematic Review.” International Journal of Public Health.

In the late 2010s, food insecurity was linked to more than $53 billion in excess annual health care expenditures.

"State-Level and County-Level Estimates of Health Care Costs Associated with Food Insecurity." Preventing Chronic Disease.

One out of every four health care dollars is spent on caring for people with diabetes—a total of $327 billion per year.

"Health and Economic Benefits of Diabetes Interventions." Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

95% of clients at The Road Home's Midvale Family Resource Center had been food insecure within the last 12 months. 

"Planning: CIVIC-PG Track B: A Community-Designed Intersectional Food Access Rights for Marginalized communities (IFARM) Hub." Shannon Jones, proposal to the National Science Foundation.

The U.S. Farm Bill provides $100 billion in subsidies for commodity crops such as wheat, corn, and soy.

"Farm & Commodity Policy: Farm Bill Spending." United States Department of Agriculture.

In 2021, 9 women worked at the farm for 10 months... 42,000 free organic food donations. 

James Loomis, director of agriculture operations at Wasatch Community Gardens, in conversation with the author, 2022.

Young single mothers with limited education and resources make up most of the families in homeless services systems.

"Housing and Support Service with Homeless Mothers: Benefits to the Mother and Her Children." Community Mental Health Journal.

A Bridge to Recovery

Nearly 110,000 people died from drug-involved overdoses in the U.S. in 2022.

"Provisional Data Shows U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Top 100,000 in 2022. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Deaths involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl increased 279% between 2016 and 2021. 

"Estimates of Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin, and Oxycodone: United States, 2021. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

In Utah, 38% of overdose deaths are attributed to prescription opioids—more than double the national rate. 

"Health Indicator Report of Drug Overdose and Poisoning Incidents." Utah Department of Health & Human Services.

In 2017, opioid use disorder in Utah had a combined economic impact of $11.9 billion — including $441 million in health care costs and lost productivity alone. 

"State-Level Economic Costs of Opioid Use Disorder and Fatal Opioid Overdose — United States, 2017." Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

An average of 25 patients addicted to opioids are admitted to University Hospital's ER each month. 

Of the 2,000 patients admitted to the Bridge Program in its first two years of operation, 61% followed through with subsequent appointments for additional health care.

Rebecca Hyde, MA, Patient Services Manager, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, in conversation with the author, 2022. 

Without adequate physical and especially mental health care, the odds of recovery from opioid dependency are less than 50%.

"Prevalence and Pathways of Recovery from Drug and Alcohol Problems in the United States Population: Implications for Practice, Research, and Policy." Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

It takes, on average, six to 10 treatment centers before people actually get into long-term recovery.

"Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health." United States Department of Health & Human Services.

Returning to Heal

In 2020, the poverty rate in rural Utah was 10.3% — compared to 7% in urban parts of the state. 

"Economic Research Service: State Fact Sheets." United States Department of Agriculture.

In 2019, 28% of Washington County residents did not have health insurance — compared to 12.1% in Utah as a whole. 

"2019 Utah State Health Assessment." Utah Department of Health.

21.5% of Utah's population live in rural areas, but only 11% of primary care providers, 16% of dental care providers, and 9% of mental health providers work there.

"2021 Utah Primary Care Needs Assessment." Utah Department of Health, Office of Primary Care & Rural Health.

In rural Utah, there's only 1 mental health provider per 55,000 residents — compared to 1 per 25,000 elsewhere in the state.

"2022 State of Mental Health in America." Mental Health America.

With close to half the community living below the poverty line. Medical neglect, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and many other chronic diseases run rampant in Short Creek — particularly among women and children. In recent years, the community had also been plagued by mental health struggles and suicides. 

"Health Indicator Report of Utah Population Characteristics." Utah Department of Health & Human Services.
 

For the Love of Mothers

One in five U.S. women suffer from perinatal and postpartum mood disorders.  

“Perinatal Mental Health Disorders.” Postpartum Support International.

In 2015-2016, three-fourths of pregnancy-related deaths in Utah were associated with a mental health condition.

“Perinatal Mortality Review.” Utah Department of Health & Human Services.

Until 2022, in 14 states including Utah, suicide and overdose were among the most common reasons pregnant people die in the first year postpartum.

Jamie Hales (LCSW, clinical manager at Huntsman Mental Health Institute), in discussion with the author, 2023.

Utah currently ranks 48^th in the country for providing sufficient access to mental health care.

“Ranking the States 2022.” Mental Health America.

These conditions, occurring throughout birth and up to a year after delivery, are startlingly common—more common than preterm birth, diabetes, even high blood pressure.

“What are some common complications of pregnancy?” National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

“Moms’ Mental Health Matters.” National Child & Maternal Health Education Program.

Only 143 mental health providers in the state’s database have specialized training in perinatal mood disorders.

“Maternal Mental Health Referral Network.” Utah Department of Health & Human Services.

For a state that counted 46,000 live births in 2021, and whose birth rate regularly tops the national average, that’s just not enough.

“Complete Health Indicator Report of Birth rates.” Public Health Indicator Based Information System (IBIS).

Experts from the Kem Gardner Policy Institute estimate that Utah must double its mental health workforce over the next 15 years to adequately address these growing needs.

“Utah’s Mental Health System.” Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and the Utah Hospital Association. August 2019.

Mothers of color are more likely to be uninsured and face barriers to adequate health care overall, increasing the rates of pregnancy-related complications and a death rate that is 2-3 times that of White women. Mothers of color experience discrimination while seeking care, their concerns often dismissed and necessary tests and interventions denied.  

“Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health: Current Status and Efforts to Address Them.” KFF Health News. November 1, 2022.

“Racial Disparities in Maternal Health.” Blue Cross Blue Shield. May 20, 2021.

Utah Department of Health & Human Services’ Maternal Mental Health Referral Network lists only two psychotherapists statewide who specialize in treating BIPOC clients.

“Maternal Mental Health Referral Network.” Utah Department of Health & Human Services.

We (Utah) consistently rank among the highest birth rates in the U.S.

“Complete Health Indicator Report of Birth rates.” Public Health Indicator Based Information System (IBIS).

A recent survey found that 42.8% of Utah women who delivered a live infant reported symptoms of depression or anxiety before pregnancy, or during the prenatal or postpartum period.

“A Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Report – January 2021, Maternal Mental Health in Utah.” Utah Department of Health & Human Services.

Women in Latendresse’s first study had much lower depression scores after being in the group, even six months after it ended.

“A group telehealth intervention for rural perinatal depression and anxiety: A pilot study.” American Psychological Association.

40 percent of U.S. births and 22 percent of Utah births are covered by Medicaid.

“National Vital Statistics System, Birth Data.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.

The federal poverty level for an individual is $14,580.

“Federal Poverty Level (FPL).” Healthcare.gov.

The average U.S. birth can cost between $10,000-$16,000.

“Health costs associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.” Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. July 13, 2022.

A recent Health Affairs article found that among prenatal Medicaid enrollees who lost coverage in the early postpartum period, two thirds remained “consistently uninsured” at nine and 10 months postpartum.

“Late Postpartum Coverage Loss Before COVID-19: Implications for Medicaid Unwinding.” Health Affairs. July 2023.

In April 2022, Medicaid offered some relief. Through a new amendment, each state could choose to extend their postpartum coverage to a year post-delivery.

“Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), and Basic Health Program (BHP) Related Provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.” Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

By December, 27 states had approved extensions; eight others were in the process of implementing their own.

“Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Extension Tracker.” KFF Health News. August 28, 2023.

Utah joined them with S.B. 133, a bill passed in March 2023 that modified Medicaid coverage to cover a full year postpartum with some restrictions.

“S.B. 133 Modifications to Medicaid Coverage.” Utah State Legislature.

Lesser was the sponsor of H.B. 220, another Utah bill that—though it did not pass—also raised awareness about the urgent need for extended postpartum coverage.

“H.B. 220 Pregnancy and Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Amendments.” Utah State Legislature.

Academics in Action

And yet it's estimated that more than 40% of people who live in the U.S. don't have dental insurance. Those disparities are compounded for historically excluded populations. Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans endure higher rates of gum disease and tooth decay. And nearly one-third of low-income adults say that poor dental health affects their ability to interview for a job. Overall, it's estimated that untreated oral disease causes $45 billion in lost productivity. 

"Disparities in Oral Health." Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

But when it comes to the number of primary care physicians per 100,000 residents, we have some work to do. The Beehive State currently ranks 48th out of 50, meaning that many communities do not have access to the care they need to stay healthy.

"2021 State Physician Workforce Data Report." Association of American Medical Colleges.

Community Co-Creation

They're the ones who best understand Utah's second largest city — a thriving and diverse place where 30% of residents speak a language other than English at home and 17% are foreign-born.

"Quick Facts: West Valley City, Utah." United States Census Bureau.