Health disparities are defined as differences in the quality of health and the level of health care across different populations. No where are these disparities between the haves and have nots more eminent than in South Los Angeles, the poorest area in Los Angeles county. It is also the community that UMMA has chosen to serve.

The inability of South Los Angeles residents to afford adequate housing, healthy foods, jobs and health insurance have led to an immeasurable degree of health and financial problems. UMMA, has become a safe haven for these people, many of whom would have no place else to go for health care.


Key health and Social Indicators for South Los Angeles

HEALTH DISPARITY

  • There are approximately 10 pediatricians for every 100,000 children in South LA, less than 5 times the county average and only 1.6 specialist /physicians per 100,000 patients, less than 3 times the county average.
  • In South Los Angeles, more people die of lung cancer, stroke, diabetes and heart disease than in any other place in Los Angeles County.
  • UMMA’s service area has the highest rate of preterm births, occurring mostly among African Americans.
  • African American babies born in South LA have a 13.5% higher dealth rate within their first year than a Caucasian infants in LA County.
  • Hispanic children in South LA are nearly three times as likely as Caucasian children to have no usual source of health care.

FINANCIAL DISPARITY

  • South Los Angeles has the highest rate of overall poverty in Los Angeles County.
  • The average annual household income in South Los Angeles is less than $22,050.00 for a family of four.
  • Only one full-scale ER/trauma center remains to serve over one million residents in a nearly 100 square mile area.
  • According to recent indicators, approximately 370,000 residences of South LA are unemployed.
  • Half of South Los Angeles’ designated area population of are uninsured.
  • South Los Angeles has the highest rate of homelessness, outside of skid row.