CenCal Health’s Population Needs Assessment (PNA) uses available data to identify the needs of the member population as well as health disparities or gaps in services. The annual PNA assesses the needs of child and adolescent members, members with disabilities, members of racial or ethnic groups, members with limited English proficiency, members of relevant subpopulations, and needs related to social determinants of health.
CenCal Health uses the findings of the PNA to inform the organization’s Population Health Management (PHM) program, inclusive of its PHM Strategy.
Key opportunities for improvement identified in the 2025 PNA include the following:
- Increase member and provider education and resources on condition management or prevention, including for young adults on the prevention of COPD and Hispanic/Spanish speaking members on the prevention of STIs/HIV.
- Increase rates of childhood immunizations through member and provider education and the development of provider resources.
- Distribute alcohol abuse prevention education for both members and providers.
- Promote key member benefits and services for pregnant and postpartum members, including lactation education, doula support, and others.
- Reducing health disparities related to:
- Immunizations for English-speaking children in Santa Barbara County.
- Immunizations for white and English-speaking adolescent members in San Luis Obispo County.
To view the complete 2025 Population Needs Assessment, please visit Population Needs Assessment webpage.
If you would like more information about the PNA results, including specific data and plans to address gaps, please contact healthed@cencalhealth.org.