05/21/2012
A San Francisco Chronicle editorial argues that residents of Richmond should vote "no" on a November ballot measure to implement a 1-cent per ounce tax on sugar-sweetened drinks. The tax is intended to curb the city's high child obesity rate. According to the editorial, the ballot initiative "is not likely to cause many residents to stop drinking sodas" but instead "might cause them to buy in bulk in neighboring towns" or seek out "other goodies that contribute to obesity." San Francisco Chronicle.
05/16/2012
A new report finds that the number of credentials issued for public school nurses decreased by 26.4% between the 2006-2007 and 2010-2011 school years. According to the report, the number of nurses employed in public schools declined by 13.3% during that time. California Watch.
05/15/2012
Children with private insurance coverage are more likely to undergo procedures in the emergency department than their uninsured or publicly insured peers, according to a study in the Journal of Pediatrics. Researchers say it remains unclear whether study findings indicate that EDs are withholding care for the uninsured and publicly insured children or overtreating children with private insurance coverage, who typically draw larger reimbursements. Kaiser Health News' "Capsules."
05/14/2012
On Wednesday, HHS announced that it will provide $75 million in new grants for building and renovation projects for school-based health clinics. The funds are part of $200 million in grants allocated for the clinics under the federal health reform law. The Hill's "Healthwatch."
05/09/2012
A coalition supports an alternate plan to Gov. Brown's proposal to shift nearly one million children from Healthy Families to Medi-Cal. The new plan would move about 200,000 kids who already were expected to shift to Medi-Cal under a federal reform law provision. HealthyCal.
05/08/2012
The House Budget Committee has approved a budget plan that would cut funding from Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and other health initiatives. The full House likely will pass the bill, but the Senate is expected to reject it. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
04/24/2012
Marketing for menthol cigarettes in California is higher at retailers near high schools with more low-income, black students, according to a study by the Stanford Prevention Research Center. Lisa Henriksen of the Stanford Prevention Research Center -- which recently presented the research at a legislative briefing in Sacramento -- said, "There is a systematic targeting (of disadvantaged communities) in the tobacco industry, which is an extraordinary public health problem." California Watch.
04/19/2012
The California Senate Health Committee has approved a bill that would require screening of newborns for two lysosomal storage diseases. Some health experts are concerned by the bill, saying not enough is known about the diseases and their treatments. Ventura County Star.
04/11/2012
A business dispute between two aviation companies could slow emergency helicopter flights to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The dispute also could affect transportation of physicians and donated organs to various health care facilities throughout Southern California. Los Angeles Times.
04/05/2012
Education officials say proposed cuts to child care services in Gov. Brown's budget plan threaten a Pajaro Valley program that provides care to more than 550 children. Brown's budget also would shift oversight of the program from the state to the county. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
04/04/2012
A Field Poll finds that 48% of likely state voters say the top health risks to children are unhealthy diets and a lack of exercise. The poll also finds that 73% of voters believe it is communities' responsibility to address childhood obesity. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle.
04/02/2012
By the end of the year, the Oakland Unified School District could become the first major urban U.S. school district to provide universal access to primary health care to all students. Since 2010, nine new school-based health care centers have opened or are scheduled to open this year, for a total of 26 centers in the district. The $18 million initiative is funded primarily by the city of Oakland, Alameda County and Kaiser Permanente. HealthyCal.
03/30/2012
A new CDC study finds that about one in 88 U.S. children has been diagnosed with autism or a related disorder by age eight. Health officials say autism diagnoses have been on the rise in recent years, partly because of improved awareness about the condition. New York Times et al.
03/29/2012
The percentage of fully vaccinated kindergarteners in California has decreased from 92.9% in 2004 to 90.7% in 2010. In response to a growing number of state residents exempting their children from required immunizations, public health departments are launching campaigns promoting vaccinations and lawmakers are taking steps to make it more difficult to receive exemptions. HealthyCal.
03/28/2012
New legislation would extend to charter schools a mandate requiring public schools to provide low-income students with nutritious meals each school day at no cost or at a reduced price. However, charter school officials say they might not have the resources to comply with the bill. California Watch.