02/03/2012
In a joint statement to California's congressional delegation on Thursday, all seven California affiliates of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation said they oppose the breast cancer advocacy group's decision this week to halt funding grants to Planned Parenthood affiliates nationwide. In 2011, 19 Planned Parenthood affiliates received about $680,000 from Komen for their breast cancer screening and education programs. Washington Post's "WonkBlog," Oakland Tribune.
02/03/2012
The manufacturer of the Lap-Band device says it has discontinued sales to surgery centers affiliated with the 1-800-GET-THIN marketing campaign. Several of the centers' patients died following weight-loss procedures, prompting state and federal investigations. Los Angeles Times, AP/Sacramento Bee.
02/02/2012
Although California has made strides to reduce overcrowding in prisons, it also must address the cost of holding a growing number of geriatric prisoners, according to a Sacramento Bee editorial that highlights a new Human Rights Watch report. The editorial states, "Dealing with geriatric populations behind bars is costly, especially since prisoners are not eligible for federal health insurance programs for the elderly." It adds, "In addition to normal prison security costs, the state has to deal with the ailments of the old -- mobility impairments, hearing and vision loss, dementia, illnesses that are chronic, disabling and terminal." Sacramento Bee.
02/02/2012
Health providers and advocates have launched a campaign for a June ballot measure that aims to raise the state tobacco tax by $1 per pack. Funds from the increase would aid research for smoking-related health conditions. Riverside Press Enterprise, Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."
02/02/2012
In a report issued Tuesday, the Institute of Medicine highlighted nine chronic conditions that have significant effects on the U.S. health care system and account for billions of dollars in annual spending. The report makes 17 recommendations for addressing the high cost of chronic disease care in the U.S. Modern Healthcare, Los Angeles Times' "Booster Shots."
02/01/2012
On Monday, FDA approved the first drug to treat an advanced form of basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. The drug -- known generically as vismodegib -- will be marketed as Erivedge by California-based Genentech. The company estimates that a 10-month treatment course would cost about $75,000. New York Times' "Prescriptions," Wall Street Journal.
02/01/2012
CDC has selected Sacramento to be one of 15 counties to participate in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The survey -- which will begin Thursday and continue through April 1 -- aims to identify health issues and guide the federal government in developing initiatives and policies to address those issues. Sacramento Bee.
01/31/2012
On Monday, California announced a $600,000 settlement with the manufacturer of the Brazilian Blowout hair-straightening treatment. The company was accused of failing to inform users that its products contain formaldehyde, which the state classifies as a carcinogen. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
01/27/2012
The Assembly has passed bills that would expand coverage of mental health care services and require insurers to cover oral chemotherapy treatments. Meanwhile, a bill to establish a universal health care system in California stalled in the Senate. Sacramento Bee et al.
01/26/2012
State and federal policymakers are looking to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly as a potential model to save money and improve health care for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. California has five PACE organizations that operate 18 centers. San Francisco Chronicle.
01/26/2012
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that requires new developments in unincorporated areas to provide wider sidewalks, bicycle parking and other changes to help promote exercise and reduce obesity. Community health leaders said that they were encouraged that county officials were examining how environmental issues affect health but that the county could do more. Los Angeles Times.
01/24/2012
California Rep. Henry Waxman and two other House members are calling on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the Lap-Band weight-loss procedure and its affiliated marketing campaigns. Los Angeles Times et al.
01/20/2012
On Thursday, the American Lung Association released a state-by-state report card that gave California an "F" grade for not adequately funding tobacco prevention and control programs. However, the state received an "A" for its smoke-free air policies. San Bernardino Sun et al.
01/19/2012
On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court agreed to review four lawsuits related to medical marijuana dispensaries and questions about local control. In one case, a lower state court ruled that Riverside had the right to ban dispensaries. The decision has been used by local governments throughout the state to shut down medical marijuana clinics in their areas. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
01/19/2012
After two decades of steady increases, U.S. obesity rates over the previous 12 years have remained at around 36% for adults and 17% among children, according to a new CDC study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study found that from 2009 to 2010, more than 78 million adults and almost 13 million children ages two to 19 were obese. The researchers noted that they did not find any indication of a decline in obesity rates in any population group. New York Times' "Well" et al.