Health Equity Implications
Economic disparities are deeply stratified by race and ethnicity. Black / African American households experience a poverty rate three times higher than the county-wide rate( 19.4 %). Poverty rates are also significantly elevated for AIAN( 17.5 %) and Hispanic / Latino( 10.5 %) households. Rural ZIP codes 89424 and 89442 show poverty rates approaching 20 % of families.
Focus groups, key informant interviews, and the community survey collectively identified economic insecurity as both a primary health concern and the root driver of barriers to healthcare access, mental health, food security, and housing stability. The high cost of living, stagnant wages, and housing market pressures were consistently described as creating impossible trade-offs for working families.
Sub Areas of Concern
• K – 12 education system and workforce pipeline
• Availability of employment and wage equity
• Cost of living and affordable housing
• Food insecurity and nutrition access
• Poverty and ALICE households
• Homelessness and supportive housing
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