Latinos in Santa Clara County suffer from higher rates of poverty, lower rates of high school graduation and more deaths from diabetes than other groups. Officials want to find ways to close that gap.
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously declared a public health crisis for Latino residents, and is committing to address the disparities following a yearslong county health assessment released in May. Latinos comprise about a quarter of Santa Clara County’s total population — with most living in East San Jose and South County. Of the county’s 2 million residents, more than 480,000 are Latino.
Officials with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department are recommending the creation of a South County cultural center to serve as a safe youth space and resource hub for families. They also say the county should invest in more early childhood education programs, with the goal of having at least 40% of Latino children ready for kindergarten by 2030…