Advocates Trying To Shore Up Mental Health Safety Net For Amador County Residents At Risk For Suicide
The rural and isolated county has one of the highest suicide rates in the state. Advocates say not enough of the county's resources have been directed toward programs designed to curb the crisis.
Capital Public Radio:
How Suicide Trainings, Community Connections Could Patch Holes In Amador’s Mental Health Safety Net
Rural counties are more likely to have trouble using the funds if they lack the staff support to execute new programs. That’s part of the reason why lawmakers are trying to change the rules to make it easier for counties to spend the money. (Caiola, 9/13)
In other public health news —
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Infant Mortality Rate Flat In San Diego County But Disparities Remain For Some
San Diego County’s infant mortality rate was flat in 2016, but significant disparities continue for African American babies, according to newly-released data from the county Health and Human Services Agency. There were 3.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2016, the most recent year for which numbers are publicly available, compared to a rate of 3.7 in 2015 and 3.8 in 2014, records show. While tragic, infant deaths are rare. In 2016, the county recorded 159 deaths in the first year of life, totaling 0.37 percent of the 42,654 live births tallied that year. (Sisson, 9/13)