A Comprehensive Examination of Primary Care Disparities in California: Navigating the Abyss

By SUHANA MISHRA Residing in the often overlooked San Joaquin Valley, I’ve personally felt the impact of the shortage of primary care physicians. My family struggled to access basic medical attention for common illnesses like the flu. Getting local doctor appointments wasn’t just difficult—it often meant resorting to urgent care or driving long distances for simple treatments. Non-emergency issues that could have been resolved with accessible primary care instead overwhelmed urgent care centers, which often had long wait times and suboptimal conditions. These firsthand experiences revea