Health and Wellness Shine on Marin

For Main County home owners and their families health means more than access to doctors and professional care. Attention to overall health is part of the Marin lifestyle, a holistic way of living that enhances the quality of life for all people who call Marin home.

Attitude Counts
People living in Marin value a healthy lifestyle and work to make it available to all home owners and residents. According to the 2007 California County Data Book, published by the nonprofit Children Now, 98 percent of Marin’s children have health insurance. This figure is even higher than the 97 percent rate in the Greater Bay Area where, in San Francisco, health insurance is free for all children.
The source of this success is Marin County government that chose to spend money to ensure that even children from low income families would have access to health insurance. Consequently 95 percent of Marin’s young residents between the ages of 0 to 18 are in “good or excellent health,” according to the report and 93 percent have regular access to a doctor.

This focus seems to be paying off in an era when young people are challenged with obesity. In Marin County homes, 46 percent of youngsters were judged “physically fit” compared to just 28 percent statewide. Only 19 percent of Marin’s kids were overweight while that figure jumped to 33 percent across California.

Marin Health Resources
Marin home owners and residents are served by a number of clinics, hospitals and specialists. The County of Marin, Health Services Division, plays a high profile role in the region’s health care picture, striving to make sure all Marin residents are served. Kaiser Permanente is also a member of the Marin community with a Medical Center in San Rafael and satellite clinics in Novato, Petaluma, West Marin and downtown Marin. Marin general Hospital in Greenbrae is an affiliate of the Sutter Health Care system and provides the region with access to an acute care hospital. Novato Community Hospital is also a Sutter Health affiliate. This nonprofit, community based hospital offers health events, information and comprehensive services using advanced medical technology that provides Marin home owners with access to state-of the art medical treatment.

Marin Community Clinic has two locations – one in Novato and another in Greenbrea – with plans to expand to a third site. These clinics serve the region’s uninsured and low income children and adults. Medical professionals at Marin Community Clinics serve more than 14,000 patients each year. Indeed, Marin County, consistently claiming one of the nation’s highest per-capita incomes, takes responsibility for the health and well being of all its residents.

Marin County also has numerous resources and support services.  Many organizations in the nonprofit sector are very active in Marin County, creating a strong network for Marin home owners and residents with specific health interests such as brain injuries, arthritis, mental health, Parkinson’s disease and services for the blind and disabled.

An Ounce of Prevention
People living in Marin County are naturally drawn to preventative health and the county’s calendar of health and wellness events reflects this focus. Many organizations offer classes, seminars and activities designed to keep Marin home owners, residents and their families healthy.  For example, there are yoga classes, Tai Chi lessons, lectures on safe sun care, art therapy sessions, and talks on how to prevent colds as kids go back to school in the fall, among other educational opportunities.

The Marin county lifestyle is a healthy one from prevention to care. Families with homes in Marin, appreciate the many natural resources at their doorsteps. The abundant open space, beaches, redwood forests and alluring grasslands invite an active, healthy and long life.