How is California Doing?
Together we are tracking and driving progress to improve the health of our state.
The progress indicators within the state health improvement plan (SHIP) are being updated to establish new baselines and 10-year targets. Historical data is available for most indicators, but progress evaluation will begin again when we have additional data points beyond the new baseline. Until then, the progress status for all indicators will be set to yellow to reflect neutrality.
Featured Indicators
Below are three examples of progress and opportunities for improvement for several featured indicators. Learn more about each of these indicators and more below.
Reducing Hospital Readmission
The number of readmissions is decreasing. Continuing progress will be important to reach the Let’s Get Healthy California 2022 target, especially to address geographic variation and improve outcomes for all subgroups.
Reducing Infant Mortality
The statewide rate has reached a record low, but is holding steady. Significant differences persist based on mothers’ race/ethnicity and age.
Increasing Access to Fruits and Vegetables
Fewer adults are able to find fruits and vegetables in their neighborhood. Significant differences persist based on race/ethnicity and education.
Check Out the Status of All the Indicators
The California statewide indicator outcomes for each goal area are included on the progress dashboard below. Further details (including data by county or by demographics) are included on each indicator’s individual page.
Indicator status (movement toward or away from the target) is indicated by color.
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Infant Mortality
In 2021 (baseline year), there were 4.1 deaths in infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births. The most recent rate available is 4.1 (2021). We hope to reach a target of 3.72 or lower by 2034.
Baseline
4.1
Target
3.72
Low-Risk Cesarean Births
In 2022 (baseline year), the low-risk cesarean birth rate was 25.2%. The most recent rate available is 25.2% (2022). We hope to reach a target of 23.6% or lower by 2034.
Baseline
25.2%
Target
23.6%
Breastfeeding
In 2019-21 (baseline years), exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum was 32%. The most recent data available indicate 32% (2019-21). We hope to reach a target of 41.6% or higher by 2034.
Baseline
32.0%
Target
41.6%
Child Vaccination
In 2020 (baseline year), 74.5% of children (by birth year) have received the recommended combination vaccinations by 35 months. The most recent data available show 74.5% (2020). We hope to reach a target of 82.7% or higher by 2034.
Baseline
74.5%
Target
82.7%
Adverse Childhood Experiences – Parent Reported
In 2016-2019 (baseline year), 36.0% of children are exposed to one or more adverse experience (parent reported). The current value from 2016-2019 was 36.0%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Read More about Adverse Childhood Experiences – Parent Reported
Baseline
36.0%
Target
TBD
Adverse Childhood Experiences – Adult Retrospective
In 2008-2009 (baseline year), 59.0% of adults reported having been exposed to one or more adverse childhood experience before the age of 18. The current aggregated value in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 was 62.0%. This indicator serves to inform and consequently does not have a target.
Read More about Adverse Childhood Experiences – Adult Retrospective
Baseline
59.0%
Target
-
Child Maltreatment
In 2023 (baseline year), there were 5.7 substantiated allegations of child maltreatment per 1,000 children. The most recent rate available is 5.7 (2023). We hope to reach a target of 4.6 or lower by 2034.
Baseline
5.7
Target
4.6
School Readiness
This indicator is under development and the baseline, current rate, and target are to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
TBD
Target
TBD
Early Reading Levels
In 2021 (baseline year), 39.8% of 3rd grade students were at or above proficient reading level standards. The most recent data available show 44.2% (2025). We hope to reach a target of 49.7% or higher by 2034.
Baseline
39.8%
Target
49.7%
Depression – Sad or Hopeless Feelings (7th Grade Students)
In 2008-2010 (baseline period), 28.0% of 7th graders had constant feelings of sadness or hopelessness. The current value from 2017-2019 was 30.4%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Read More about Depression – Sad or Hopeless Feelings (7th Grade Students)
Baseline
28.0%
Target
TBD
Depression – Sad or Hopeless Feelings (9th Grade Students)
In 2008-2010 (baseline period), 31.0% of 9th graders had constant feelings of sadness or hopelessness. The current value from 2017-2019 was 32.6%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Read More about Depression – Sad or Hopeless Feelings (9th Grade Students)
Baseline
31.0%
Target
TBD
Depression – Sad or Hopeless Feelings (11th Grade Students)
In 2008-2010 (baseline period), 32.0% of 11th graders had constant feelings of sadness or hopelessness. The current value from 2017-2019 was 36.6%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Read More about Depression – Sad or Hopeless Feelings (11th Grade Students)
Baseline
32.0%
Target
TBD
Overall Health Status
In 2021 (baseline year), 51.6% of adults who reported very good or excellent health. The most recent data available show 51.6% (2021). We hope to reach a target of 60.0% or higher by 2034.
Baseline
51.6%
Target
60.0%
Obesity – Children Overweight for Age
In 2022 (baseline year), 14.9% of children ages 0 to 11 years were overweight for their age. The most recent data available show 14.9% (2022). We hope to reach a target of 11.5% or lower by 2034.
Baseline
14.9%
Target
11.5%
Obesity – Adults
In 2022 (baseline year), 28.8% of adults were obese. The most recent data available show 28.8% (2022). We hope to reach a target of 24.4% or lower by 2034.
Baseline
28.8%
Target
24.4%
Diabetes
In 2012 (baseline year), the number of adults with diabetes per 100 was 9.2. The current value in 2018 was 10.4. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
9.2
Target
TBD
Asthma – Children
In 2022 (baseline year), there were 55.5 childhood asthma-related ED visits per 10,000 residents. The most recent rate available is 55.5 (2022). We hope to reach a target of 27.8 or lower by 2034.
Baseline
55.5
Target
27.8
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption – Adolescent
This indicator is under development and the baseline, current rate, and target are to be determined (TBD).
Read More about Fruit and Vegetable Consumption – Adolescent
Baseline
TBD
Target
TBD
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption – Adult
This indicator is under development and the baseline, current rate, and target are to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
TBD
Target
TBD
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption – Adolescent
This indicator is under development and the baseline, current rate, and target are to be determined (TBD).
Read More about Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption – Adolescent
Baseline
TBD
Target
TBD
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption – Adult
This indicator is under development and the baseline, current rate, and target are to be determined (TBD).
Read More about Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption – Adult
Baseline
TBD
Target
TBD
Physical Activity – Adolescents
This indicator is under development and the baseline, current rate, and target are to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
TBD
Target
TBD
Physical Activity – Adults
This indicator is under development and the baseline, current rate, and target are to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
TBD
Target
TBD
Tobacco Use – Adolescent
In 2024 (baseline year), adolescent tobacco use was 6.4%. The most recent data available indicate 6.4% (2024). We hope to reach a target of 2.4% or lower by 2034.
Baseline
6.4%
Target
2.4%
Tobacco Use – Adult
In 2022-2023 (baseline year), adult tobacco use was at 11.3%. The most recent data available indicate 11.3% (2022-2023). We hope to reach a target of 5.8% or lower by 2034.
Baseline
11.3%
Target
5.8%
Substance Use – Seventh Grade
The 2013-2015 (baseline year) average of seventh graders who used alcohol or drugs in the last 30 days (excluding tobacco) was 10.4%. The current value from 2017-2019 was 6.9%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
10.4%
Target
TBD
Substance Use – Ninth Grade
The 2013-2015 (baseline year) average of ninth graders who used alcohol or drugs in the last 30 days (excluding tobacco) was 23.2%. The current value from 2017-2019 was 14.6%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
23.2%
Target
TBD
Substance Use – Eleventh Grade
The 2013-2015 (baseline year) average of eleventh graders who used alcohol or drugs in the last 30 days (excluding tobacco) was 33.4%. The current value from 2017-2019 was 23.2%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
33.4%
Target
TBD
Substance Use – Non-Traditional
The 2013-2015 (baseline year) average of non-traditional students who used alcohol or drugs in the last 30 days (excluding tobacco) was 60.2%. The current value from 2017-2019 was 28.6%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
60.2%
Target
TBD
Depression – Adults
In 2012 (baseline year), 11.7% of adults were told they had a depressive disorder. The current value in 2018 was 17.8% (2018). The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
11.7%
Target
TBD
Suicide
In 2010 (baseline year), there were 10.0 suicides per 100,000 people. The current value in 2019 was 10.6. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
10.0
Target
TBD
Access to Palliative Care
In 2012 (baseline year), 37.3% of California hospitals provided in-patient palliative care. The current value in 2016 was 48.4%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
37.3%
Target
TBD
Use of Hospice Care
In 2010 (baseline year), 39.0% of decedents with terminal conditions utilized hospice care. The current value in 2014 was 43.3%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
39.0%
Target
TBD
Terminal Hospital Stays that Include Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Days
In 2010 (baseline year), 22.0% of terminal hospital stays included ICU stays. The current value in 2012 was 21.0%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Read More about Terminal Hospital Stays that Include Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Days
Baseline
22.0%
Target
TBD
Advance Care Planning
This indicator is under development and the baseline, current rate, and target are to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
TBD
Target
TBD
Access to Primary Care Providers
In 2022 (baseline year), there were 1,199 people for each primary care physician in California. The most recent ratio available is 1,199:1 (2022). The target is to be determined (TBD) for this indicator.
Baseline
1,199:1
Target
TBD
Timely Care (Primary Care)
In 2021 (baseline year), 53.6% of patients received primary outpatient care in a timely manner. The most recent data available show 53.6% (2021). There is no target for this indicator because the data source is no longer available.
Baseline
53.6%
Target
-
Timely Care (Specialty Care)
In 2021 (baseline year), 58.8% of patients received specialty outpatient care in a timely manner. The most recent data available show 58.8% (2021). There is no target for this indicator because the data source is no longer available.
Baseline
58.8%
Target
-
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services
In 2022 (baseline year), 7.4% of adults who speak a language other than English in the home and do not speak English very well reported difficulty understanding their doctor at their last visit. The most recent data available show 7.4% (2022). We hope to reach a target of 5.6% or lower by 2034.
Read More about Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services
Baseline
7.5%
Target
5.6%
Coordinated Outpatient Care
In 2021 (baseline year), 63.5% of patients had a doctor’s office who helped coordinate care with other providers and services. The most recent data available show 63.5% (2021). We hope to reach a target of 72.3% or higher by 2034.
Baseline
63.5%
Target
72.3%
Preventable Hospitalizations
In 2022 (baseline year), there were 972 preventable hospitalizations for selected conditions per 100,000 population. The most recent rate available is 972 (2022). We hope to reach a target of 727 or lower by 2034.
Baseline
972
Target
727
Hospital Readmissions
In 2022 (baseline year), 14.5% of hospital discharges resulted in unplanned readmissions within 30 days. The most recent data available show 14.5% (2022). We hope to reach a target of 11.9% or lower by 2034.
Baseline
14.5%
Target
11.9%
Hospital Acquired Conditions
In 2021 (baseline year), there were 0.84 hospital-acquired conditions per 1,000 discharges. The most recent rate available is 0.84 (2021). We hope to reach a target of 0.50 or lower by 2034.
Baseline
0.84
Target
0.50
Poverty
In the first quarter of 2023 (baseline time range), 13.2% of Californians lived in poverty. The most recent rate available is 13.2% (first quarter of 2023). The target is to be determined (TBD) for this indicator.
Baseline
13.2%
Target
TBD
Unemployment
In 2011, 11.7% of Californian’s were unemployed. The current value in 2018 was 4.2%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
11.7%
Target
TBD
Housing Cost Burden
In 2022, 40.9% of households in California experienced housing cost burden. The most recent data available show 40.9% (2022). We hope to reach a target of 31.3% of California households or lower experiencing housing cost burden by 2034.
Baseline
40.9%
Target
31.3%
Homelessness
This indicator is under development and the baseline, current rate, and target are to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
TBD
Target
TBD
Food Insecurity
In 2022 (baseline year), 44% of lower income (< 200% FPL) California adults 18 years or older reported they were not able to afford enough food. The most recent data available (2022) show 44.0% of lower income adults were not able to afford enough food. We hope to reach a target of 34.3.% or lower by 2034.
Baseline
44.0%
Target
34.3%
Access to Healthy Food
In 2022 (baseline year), the percent of healthier food retailers available in California, as defined by the modified retail food environment index (mRFEI), was 20.8%. The most recent data available showed a score of 20.8% (2022). We hope to reach a target of mRFEI score of 24.3% or greater by 2034.
Baseline
20.8%
Target
24.3%
Active Transportation
This indicator is under development and the baseline, current rate, and target are to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
TBD
Target
TBD
Neighborhood Safety
In 2007 (baseline year), 92.4% of Californians adults reported feeling safe in their neighborhoods most or all of the time. The current value in 2018 was 88.7%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
92.4%
Target
TBD
Uninsured – Point in Time
In 2009 (baseline year), 14.5% of Californians (adults, adolescents and children combined) reported not having health insurance at the time the survey was conducted. The current value in 2019 was 7.2%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
14.5%
Target
TBD
Uninsured – Some Point in the Past Year
In 2009 (baseline year), 8.7% of Californians (adults, adolescents and children combined) had a gap in health insurance over the course of the previous year. The current value in 2019 was 3.0%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
8.7%
Target
TBD
Uninsured – For a Year or More
In 2009 (baseline year), 11.3% of Californians (adults, adolescents and children combined) were without health insurance for a year or more. The current value in 2019 was 5.7%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
11.3%
Target
TBD
Total Out-of-Pocket Cost (Individuals)
The 2022 Baseline for total out-of-pocket costs for individuals is $881. The most recent data available show $881 (2022). The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
$881
Target
TBD
Total Out-of-Pocket Cost (Families)
The 2022 Baseline for total out-of-pocket costs for families is $6,466. The most recent data available show $6,466 (2022). The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
$6,466
Target
TBD
Health Care Spending Growth Rate by Total Health Expenditures
In 2012 (baseline year), the rate of increase of total healthcare cost was 7.0%. The current value in 2015 was 5.5%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Read More about Health Care Spending Growth Rate by Total Health Expenditures
Baseline
7.0%
Target
TBD
Care in an Integrated System
In 2013 (baseline year), 50.9% of Californians received care in an integrated system. The current value in 2018 was 59.8%. The updated 2034 target is to be determined (TBD).
Baseline
50.9%
Target
TBD