Placer County Local Health News Articles and Digest

Families & Children Health Government

At-Home COVID Tests Can Be Reimbursable in California

12/07/2023
Although the federal government is providing four free COVID tests per month, that’s not the only way to get them. Aetna and Blue Shield of California members can be reimbursed for up to eight at-home tests per month, while Kaiser Permanente is offering discounts on tests.

From Sierra Sun...

Business, Economy & Jobs Health

Tahoe Forest Pharmacy Sees Large Uptick in Prescription Requests Following Announced Closure of Local Pharmacies

12/06/2023

With the recent announcement of local pharmacy closures, the Tahoe Forest Pharmacy is experiencing a significant increase in prescription requests. Customers are encouraged to plan ahead, so the team can accommodate the volume.

From The Mercury News...

Public Safety Health Crime & Justice

Stolen Blue Shield of California Data Could Hit Dark Web

12/01/2023
Hackers stole data this week from Blue Shield of California. Historically, this type of data has sometimes wound up for sale on what’s known as the dark web, the part of the internet not typically included in search engine results.

From Voice of San Diego...

Health Crime & Justice

San Diego County Might Wait on Implementing Conservatorship Rules

11/30/2023
A member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has asked that the county wait until 2025 to implement pending state policy around conservatorships. The policy, which goes into effect Jan. 1, makes people suffering from severe addiction eligible to receive conservatorships.

From SFGate...

Public Safety Environment Health

Sewage Spill Closes Southern California Beach

11/29/2023
Two miles of public beach were closed in Laguna Beach following a spill of 94,500 gallons of sewage. Orange County is testing water to determine when the beach will be safe to reopen.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Families & Children Health Government

Will Kids Still Take Their Medicine? New State Law Forces Pharmacies to Take Out the Flavor

11/28/2023
Parents say flavored medication can help ensure their kids finish a prescription. Far fewer California pharmacies are offering that service as they await new rules from a state regulator.

From Los Angeles Times...

COVID-19 Health Government

Data Explores Whether California or Florida Handled COVID Better

11/27/2023
California and Florida took starkly different approaches to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that more Floridians died per capita of COVID than did Californians.

From New York Times...

Public Safety Health Government

More Migrants Getting Hurt Climbing Border Wall in California

11/27/2023
Seven times as many patients have been admitted to the trauma unit at UC San Diego Health since the Trump administration raised the height of the border wall to 30 feet in California. The hospital also notes that 23 people have died in falls from the wall since 2019.

From EdSource...

Health

UC Davis Study Posits Why People Get Headaches From Wine

11/21/2023
A UC Davis study suggests that some people might get headaches from drinking wine due to an antioxidant, quercetin, that affects alcohol metabolism. This antioxidant is healthy on its own but can sometimes spur headaches when mixed with alcohol.

From Sacramento Bee...

Families & Children Health State of California

State Debuting Mental Health App for Young People Next Year

11/15/2023
The state will offer a free mental health app beginning Jan. 1 for people ages 13-25. It is currently being tested in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.

From Capital Public Radio...

Health

People Can Wait Over an Hour in California for Emergency Care

11/09/2023
People wait about 40 minutes on average in California for emergency care, compared to 25 minutes nationally. In Sacramento County, wait times can be as long as 84 minutes during the holidays.

From Sacramento Bee...

Health Crime & Justice

Nearly One-Third of California Prisons Provide Inadequate Medical Care

11/07/2023
An evaluation of 34 adult prisons in California by the Office of the Inspector General found that 11 provided inadequate medical care and 23 provided adequate care. None were deemed proficient, the top designation.

From Sierra Sun...

Health

New Feature Aimed at Reducing Patient Wait Time Now Available at Tahoe Forest Urgent Care

11/05/2023

Patients requiring urgent care services can “get in line” prior to arriving at Tahoe Forest Urgent Care clinics in Truckee and Tahoe City using an online tool called On My Way.

From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

Business, Economy & Jobs Health

Woods Apothecary Academy of Healing Arts Now Open

11/05/2023
Image for display with article titled Woods Apothecary Academy of Healing Arts Now Open

Woods Apothecary, a source of natural remedies in South Lake Tahoe, just opened a new workshop space and storefront at 2264 Tahoe Blvd.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Health Homelessness Elections & Politics Crisis & Personal Support Government

Newsom Taking New Approach to California’s 10,000 Homeless Veterans

11/05/2023
California’s population of homeless veterans has plateaued despite billions of dollars in state spending to create housing for former service members. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to shift resources to focus on veterans with serious mental health conditions.

From Sierra Sun...

Health

Tahoe Forest Health System Welcomes Physician Travis Hays

11/02/2023

Travis Hays, MD, has joined the Primary Care team at the Tahoe Forest Multi-Specialty Clinics in Tahoe City.

From Daily Democrat...

Education Health

New UC Davis Research Explores Why Males and Females Respond Differently to Social Stress

11/02/2023
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but among boys and girls, the likelihood is the same.

From Sierra Sun...

Health

Placer County Confirms West Nile Virus Death, First Since 2018

10/31/2023
Image for display with article titled Placer County Confirms First West Nile Virus Death Since 2018

Placer County public health officials confirmed the death of a Lincoln man over age 65.

From Los Angeles Times...

Families & Children Health

A Story With Teeth: Why California Kids Lag in Dental Health

10/31/2023
California kids have some of the lowest-ranked dental health in the United States, with challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. Here’s a look at the problem and what’s being done to address it.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Business, Economy & Jobs Health Government

Effects of COVID Isolation Surfacing for California’s Young Professionals

10/25/2023
After years of isolation and virtual classes, young professionals in California’s workforce are reportedly struggling with greater mental health challenges and burnout. If colleges and companies don’t pay more attention, there could be economic consequences.

Placer County Local News: Health