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.
02/03/2012
A new California Department of Public Health analysis of Los Angeles and Fresno counties finds that poor, urban and minority residents were more likely to be exposed to health and safety risks related to climate change. Public health experts said disparities in climate-related health risks can be attributed in part to lower-quality living conditions and poorer health statuses. California Watch.
02/03/2012
On Thursday, the California Dental Association announced that it would not pay for the installation of a Watsonville water fluoridation system because the project's lowest bid came in at about $1.2 million more than the original cost estimate. CDA officials told the city that they will continue to support the project and try to identify funding for it. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
02/02/2012
On Tuesday, San Diego County law enforcement officials sent letters warning local retailers to stop selling illegal designer synthetic drugs known as "spice" and "bath salts." The letters stated that retailers face fines or jail time if they continue to sell the drugs, which have been found to cause violent behavior, heart attacks and seizures. Gov. Brown signed bills last year to curb sales of such substances. U-T San Diego.
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.
01/31/2012
The California Assembly has passed a bill to expand an existing hospital smoking ban to include campuses. Meanwhile, the Senate has cleared legislation to let consumers seek care from physical therapists without referrals. Los Angeles Times' "PolitiCal," AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
01/31/2012
The Peninsula Health Care District will award 19 local organizations a total of $2.15 million in community health grants in 2012. The organizations include the American Red Cross' San Bruno Resource & Recovery Center and the California Transplant Donor Network. San Mateo County Times, San Francisco Business Times.
01/31/2012
Seven San Francisco middle schools are participating in a federal survey funded by the U.S. Department of Education that examines mental, physical and emotional symptoms from stressful events in the lives of students. Early results from the four-year, $3.4 million study show that about five or six children in every classroom have the symptoms, which can increase their risk for post-traumatic stress disorder or other trauma-related issues. San Francisco Chronicle.
01/30/2012
On Friday, the California Air Resources Board unanimously approved new air quality regulations aimed at reducing emissions that contribute to harmful health effects and climate change, and encouraging automotive innovation. Health and environmental groups applauded the new rules, which are intended to cut vehicles' greenhouse gas emissions by 34% and reduce unhealthy, smog-forming pollution by 75% by 2025. Contra Costa Times, AP/U-T San Diego.
01/30/2012
Some Sacramento-area health care providers are devising ways to reduce emergency department visits through less costly treatment options in primary care settings. Some strategies include establishing referral networks and opening urgent care clinics. Sacramento Bee.
01/30/2012
J. Clark Kelso, California's federally appointed receiver for prison health care, said the state needs to make progress on $2 billion worth of facility upgrades and construction before federal oversight can end. AP/Washington Post, KPCC's "KPCC News."
01/30/2012
Members of the Service Employees International Union Local
721 have informed Riverside County that they are planning a strike on Tuesday
to protest contract conditions imposed by the county. The union represents
about 5,800 county employees, including 274 nurses, laboratory technicians and
other health care professionals. Riverside County Superior Court has scheduled
a hearing Monday morning to hear an appeal from county officials to bar some
health care professionals from striking. KPCC's "KPCC News," Riverside
Press-Enterprise.
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.
01/27/2012
On Wednesday, first lady Michelle Obama and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled final nutrition guidelines for government-subsidized school meals. The new standards -- which were mandated under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 -- will require lunches to include more fruits and vegetables, and less salt and fat. Schools will begin to implement the new standards in September at an estimated cost of $3.2 billion over five years. New York Times et al.
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.