The inability to afford enough food on a regular basis, including access to healthier foods essential for good nutrition, impacts the health and well-being of the population.

View research, best practices, and examples of the collective impact logic model related to Education.

Call to Action: What We Can Do to Improve Vulnerable Populations?

Increasing participation in after school at-risk meals programs by targeting sponsors that are already enrolled in nutrition assistance programs, such as school districts, can expand the reach to vulnerable children. Another strategy is to partner with food banks, advocacy organizations and affiliated community organization such as Boys and Girls Clubs, to raise awareness.

Home-delivered meals programs for low-care seniors, like Meal-on-Wheels (MOW), and home-delivered fresh produce programs for low-income seniors, like More on the Menu (MOM), ensure homebound seniors daily meals and healthier alternatives for snacks to supplement meals.

Community gardens help promote physical and mental health benefits, as well as economic and family health benefits, primarily because the families often work in their gardens together. A community gardening program can reduce food insecurity, improve dietary intake and strengthen family relationships.

Self-Care Difficulty

In 2023, 2.6% of the population had difficulty caring for themselves.

Definition: Percent of the population 18 and older with self-care difficulties.

Data Source(s)

• Data year: 2023. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019-2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table S1810.

Primary Caregiver/Caretaker

In 2025, the population who reported as a primary caregiver or caretaker was 5.9%.

Definition: Percent of the population 25 and older, with a Bachelor's degree.

Data Source(s)

• Data year: Data year: 2023. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019-2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table DP02.

Graduate or Professional Degree

In 2023, 16.5% of the aged 25+ population had a graduate or professional degree.

Definition: Percent of the population who are a primary caregiver/caretaker.

Data Source(s)

• Data year: 2025. Source: ESRI Community Analyst, Vintage 2025.

Linguistic Isolation

In 2023, 7.4% of the population were considered linguistically isolated.

Definition: Percent of the population considered linguistically isolated (A "limited English speaking household" is one in which no member 14 years old and over (1) speaks only English or (2) speaks a non-English language and speaks English "very well." In other words, all members 14 years old and over have at least some difficulty with English. By definition, English-only households cannot belong to this group.

Data Source(s)

• Data year: 2023. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019-2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table S1401.

Internet Access

In 2025, 95.6% of the population had internet connection at home.

Definition: Percent of the population with connection to internet at home.

Data Source(s)

• Data year: 2025. Source: ESRI Community Analyst, Vintage 2025.

The reports below show the trend in Vulnerable Populations-related expanded indicators over time in San Diego County. Tracking these expanded indicators across multiple years helps us understand long-term patterns and progress toward improving population health.