Physical and behavioral health impacts everyone. Opening the door to this data is critical to creating viable community solutions.
With 21% of adults who did not visit their doctor for a routine check up in the last year and 29% of children who did not receive well child exams in the first 15 months of life, the need for a comprehensive community-level approach to healthcare is clear.
PC: Lompoc Record
The Health Dashboard is a data tool collaboratively created by community invested partners. This shared data tool will help inform and guide future health solutions for Santa Barbara County.
On this page:
The Health Dashboard is a project funded in partnership with the Santa Barbara Foundation, the Natalie Orfalea Foundation, the Schiele Family Foundation, and the Towbes Foundation.
Interactive Health Data
Use the interactive charts below to explore health data as it ties to outcomes, access, system, and education in Santa Barbara County, CA. Use the toggles to look at data and compare across metrics. All terms are defined in the Glossary. This data is most easily accessible in desktop format.
Interactive data sources: ACS, Santa Barbara CHNA, Cottage Population Health, County of Santa Barbara Behavioral Wellness, County of Santa Barbara Health, CDC PLACES Dashboard, Santa Barbara County Emergency Medical Services, Medi-Cal, California Cancer Registry, NIH
Physical & Behavioral Health
In Santa Barbara County, the goal is that people are healthy — whether tracking data around disease rates, behavioral health services, or regular check-ups, we seek to better understand the full picture of health so that we can make improvements across the community. There are disparities across the county and solutions are needed to close the gaps.
Data source: 2023 Health Indicator: Has Healthcare Provider
PC: The Santa Barbara Independent
Program Spotlights:
Doctors without Walls - Santa Barbara Street Medicine, DWW-SBSM, is dedicated to providing free, volunteer medical care for the most vulnerable of Santa Barbara County, when and where they are in need, including in times of disaster, and to provide education and training for DWW-SBSM volunteers and others, in order to promote the excellent practice of humanitarian medicine in our hometown and elsewhere.
CALM Nurturing safe communities where every family is supported and every child thrives. CALM’s mission is to prevent childhood trauma, heal children and families, and build resilient communities throughout Santa Barbara County.
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics SBNC plays a crucial role in the community, providing a healthcare safety net. Currently we treat 1 in every 10 individuals in South Santa Barbara County. For over 52 years, we have been a cornerstone of healthcare in our community, attending to more than 20,000 patients annually across four medical clinics, two dental clinics, a bridge clinic focusing on substance use disorders, and with enhanced care management services. We continue to make a significant impact, one patient at a time.
The Pediatric Resiliency Collaborative (PeRC) is a community partnership focused on expanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) screening and referral services to all pediatric clinics in Santa Barbara County and linking providers to community systems. PeRC’s vision is to ensure that every child and family has access to the knowledge, resources, and services through the care of trusted providers to build resilience and achieve well-being.
YouthWell supports the mental health and well-being of young people (ages 5–25) in Santa Barbara County by providing integrated, culturally responsive programs and services. We empower youth and families with tools to manage their mental wellness, access support before they are in crisis, and navigate their journey, while convening community partners to advocate for and drive lasting systems change.
Healthcare Innovation
With the rapidly expanding healthcare landscape, there are innovations that are making access and supports possible including AI, telemedicine, and technological supports.
Food as Medicine
In Santa Barbara County, there is an important step that comes before prevention, and that is access to nutritious food. In Rooted’s recent article, The Future of Prevention is Partnership, it is clear that improving health requires more than medical care alone. It requires stronger partnerships between healthcare, nutrition, and trusted community organizations.
Organic Soup Kitchen Since 2009, Organic Soup Kitchen has delivered medically tailored meals at low cost to people whose conditions demand real nourishment. Nearly all of our clients live with cancer, chronic illness, or disability — and most are also facing financial hardship. None of them should have to choose between treatment and nutrition.
Rooted Santa Barbara County is a community-powered nonprofit transforming health through fiber-forward nutrition and lifestyle-based approaches to preventing and improving chronic disease. focus on neighbors facing the greatest barriers to good health and the direct service teams that support them, equipping our community with the tools, skills, and encouragement to eat well, feel better, and live longer, healthier lives.
Access to Care
Increased access to healthcare is a measure of a strong healthcare system. This is the aim in Santa Barbara County and includes a look at the prevalence of chronic disease, obesity, and other health measures that evolve and change over time.
Data source: 2024 CenCal Population Needs Assessment
PC: iStock
Data source: 2023 Health Indicator: Health Insurance
Program Spotlights:
Savie Health No Health Insurance, No Problem! At Savie Health, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their insurance status or background.
Our free clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive health services to uninsured individuals in Lompoc and Santa Barbara county, regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration status, religion, sexual orientation, or gender.
Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down An annual event — 2025 marked the 13th annual Veterans Stand Down in Santa Barbara County. The event is modeled after other communities that have successfully served homeless and at-risk veterans for years. The event takes place at the Santa Maria Fairpark and services including food, employment services, hair cuts, showers, medical/vision/dental, and transportation are offered.
Workforce
In Santa Barbara County, a sustainable (both a workforce that meets the demands of the community and one with high retention) and local health workforce leads to a stronger health system and broader access to care for our community members.
Data source: Santa Barbara Independent
Program Spotlights:
Cottage Health is creating new home buying opportunities for its employees by planning two new options that will offer 204 new homes in the Santa Barbara area for local healthcare professionals to purchase at below-market prices.
The San Marcos Health Careers Academy prepares students with the academic and technical foundation to succeed in post-secondary health care career education and the health care industry.
The Central Coast Physician Assistant (CCPA) program at A.T. Still University’s College for Healthy Communities (ATSU-CHC) prepares students to become competent, community-oriented physician assistants dedicated to delivering whole person primary care. Designed for students pursuing entry-level PA education, the program emphasizes primary care practice, critical thinking, and service to medically underserved populations.
Community Members Making a Difference
There are many organizations and community members doing this important work in our community (see Partner Page). Below are the stories of three community members who are engaged in health work across Santa Barbara County.
-
Ashley Costa
Executive Director, Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization
"Health is about more than healthcare—it includes mental well-being, connection, opportunity, and a sense of belonging. The data highlighted here helps us better understand our community's needs and strengths so we can respond thoughtfully and effectively. Through collaboration and shared leadership, LVCHO catalyzes change by connecting community voices, partners, and resources to create lasting impact and advance a future where health and well-being are within everyone's reach."
-
Dr. Ahmad Nooristani
Physician
“As a physician, I believe healthcare should never depend on a person’s ability to pay. Through Savie Health, I have seen firsthand how access to free, compassionate medical care can change lives. Caring for our uninsured neighbors is more than providing medicine—it is giving people dignity, hope, and the reassurance that their health and their lives matter.”
-
Rachael Steidl
Executive Director, YouthWell
“Mental health is a community issue, and many barriers prevent families from accessing the support they need. Too many youth and families suffer in silence because they fear being judged, dismissed, or told that what they are experiencing is not “serious enough” to deserve support. Early connection and care can change the trajectory of a young person’s life, but creating that change takes all of us: families, schools, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and neighbors. Every conversation, every act of kindness, and every connection helps build a community where youth and families feel hopeful, understood, and supported.”
Source: County Health
We want your feedback!
You are viewing a beta version of the Santa Barbara County Community Wellbeing Dashboard. Many focus areas are currently under construction and others will be developed in the near future. Regardless of where they are in their development, each of the focus area dashboards are engaging in cycles of continuous improvement.
You are our community. Help us make this better! Each user brings a unique perspective to the dashboard. We value your participation and invite you to provide feedback on your user experience.