Health Disparities

Source: US News
Title: Schools, Nonprofits Provide Vision Care for California Kids
Date: February 26, 2020
STEEP Categories: Social, Economic
Link: https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/photos/2020/02/26/schools-nonprofits-provide-vision-care-for-california-kids
Brief Description: In California's Central Valley, children in low-income families have limited access to vision care. According to the CDC, fewer than 15% of children receive an eye exam before kindergarten, which leaves many cases of vision problems undetected. Non-profit organizations and local schools are teaming up to reduce these limitations. 
Future Implications: The state of California will go about reinforcing eye screening requirements for children in preschool rather than waiting for them to be older. Also, access to these screenings will be available to all children, regardless of family income. 
Overall Impact: This trend confirms the baseline scenario where with the help of nonprofit organizations and schools in California, there will be less limitations on access to vision care for low-income children. Overall, the early screenings will help prevent worsening vision problems amongst children, but will especially help reduce the health disparities between these children. This influence of health equity for Californian children should be a model for other states to put forward the same efforts in eye care for children all across the nation. 
Timeliness (0-5): 4
Impact (0-5): 3
Scope (0-5): 2
Likelihood (0-5): 3
Urgency (0-5): 2