Author: Live Well San Diego Data Team

 

Closing the Opportunity Gap: Education's Impact on Social and Economic Wellbeing

Education plays an essential role in personal growth and professional success, and the critical role of obtaining a high school diploma unlocks a brighter future for individuals and communities alike. Studies show that higher levels of education trend toward better job prospects and higher incomes, and by investing in education, communities cultivate a more prosperous and harmonious future. A high school education goes beyond academic knowledge and fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. A diploma represents perseverance, dedication, and a strong work ethic—highly valued by employers across industries.

Education for Wellbeing: The Importance of High School Diplomas for Good Health

According to the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) in 2019, the population of individuals in California aged 18 and above who had less than a high school education accounted for 15.3%, which corresponds to approximately 4.5 million people. Similarly, in San Diego County, the percentage of individuals in the same age group with less than a high school education was 11.4%, representing approximately 278,148 individuals. Efforts to address this educational gap and provide equitable support for vulnerable communities could positively contribute to their overall wellbeing and socioeconomic growth.

Recognized Partner – San Diego County Library Empowers Adults to Earn High School Diplomas Online

San Diego County Library also offers a free accredited 18-month high school diploma preparation program for adults 19 or older to earn their diploma online. Since 2016, over 140 adults across the region have earned a high school diploma through the County Library, leading to greater social, career, and educational opportunities.

“We are incredibly proud of our students, who placed their trust in San Diego County Library and dedicated their time and resources to obtaining a much-deserved high school diploma,” said San Diego County Library Director Miguel Acosta. “These students worked at their studies after work or after the children went to bed. Library High School opens an important door into new careers and supports the County Library’s vision of equitable access for all.”

- Miguel Acosta, Director, San Diego County Library

For more information on this innovative program, visit the San Diego County Library High School web page to learn more. 

Recognized Partner – MiraCosta College Offers Free GED Prep Courses

MiraCosta Community College offers free General Education Degree (GED) preparation to cover all four subjects in Science, Social Studies, Mathematical Reasoning, and Reasoning Through Language Arts. For more information about free coursework information, in-person or virtual class formats, click here.

Indicator Series: Education

The Top 10 Live Well San Diego Indicators define what it means to live well in San Diego. Measured across the lifespan among all residents, the indicators capture the collective impact of programs, services and interventions provided by government and community partners striving to improve quality of life so that all San Diego County residents can be healthy, safe and thriving. The Education Indicator measures the percent of the population over 25 years old with at least a High School Diploma or equivalent. Efforts by the community and Live Well San Diego partners have been moving this indicator in the right direction by implementing programs that target today’s youth to a path of higher education. 

Getting San Diego Data is Easy!

To access the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data, visit the AskCHIS website.

Additionally, you can find more data at our County of San Diego Data Portal website.

Our open data program encourages the use of public data that the County of San Diego has published to spark innovation, promote public collaboration, increase government transparency, and inform decision making.

I’d Like to Know More

The Live Well San Diego Team specialists who publish data news stories are dedicated public health professionals. For more news stories, please refer to our department website.