Santa Clara County public‑health officials presented findings from a Latino Health Assessment and a cost‑of‑gun‑violence study showing marked geographic and racial disparities, and urged coordinated, place‑based prevention strategies.

Dr. Sarah Redmond, county health officer, said the assessment combines surveillance data and community voices and highlighted disparities concentrated in East San Jose and South County. "Our Latino community members are a younger community," she said, and county figures show Latinos constitute a large share of children and youth in the region. The report cited elevated behavioral‑health indicators among Latino high‑school students and disproportionate involvement in the juvenile justice system.

Redmond also summarized a cost‑of‑gun‑violence study, noting the per‑capita economic impact is significantly higher locally: "the cost per capita... is almost double for a San Jose resident compared to the county in general," she said, and estimated combined county impacts exceeded $1 billion when direct and indirect costs are included. The study attributes most costs to assaults and homicides and flags substantial intangible losses not captured by financial accounting.

County presenters emphasized that many recommendations overlap with the Children and Youth Master Plan: dismantle historical discrimination, prioritize mental‑health supports, increase access to quality care, improve data collection, and pursue community‑centered and place‑based interventions. Redmond said the county has already started follow‑up actions, including a Latino health summit and an initial action plan presented to the board.

City and county elected officials said they would align the master plan pilots with the assessment’s findings and requested jurisdiction‑level action plans. The committee referral approved later in the meeting directs staff to produce a Latino health assessment action plan by jurisdiction and increased reporting, steps intended to translate assessment findings into local implementation decisions.

Officials made no immediate statutory changes during the session; the meeting consolidated research findings and directed administrative follow up to align programs, data systems and funding for place‑based prevention.