Timely childhood immunizations promote long-term health, save lives, prevent significant disability and lower medical costs. Coronary health disease is the cause of death that is most preventable through proper nutrition, exercise, not smoking and access to basic health care. Disaggregating health data helps uncover areas of need and monitor at-risk populations. Poor health outcomes are generally correlated with poverty, which is correlated with poor access to preventive health care and education. According to a National Center for Disease Control Survey, Santa Clara County leads both the nation and California in immunization rates for children ages 18-35 months.
Whites have the highest rate of deaths due to coronary heart disease.
All people are safe in their homes, workplaces, schools and neighborhoods. The level and perception of crime in a community are significant factors that affect quality of life. Crime has wide-ranging effects on communities. In addition to economic costs, the fear, frustration and instability resulting from crime chisel away at our sense of community and undermine people's ability to get ahead. Of the seven most populated counties, Santa Clara county ranked fourth in violent crime reduction during the first half of 1999 compared with the same period in 1998.