Kern County Prisons Implement Law Providing Free Condoms To Inmates
The state law, signed in 2014, had a slow rollout. The legislation is targeted at both protecting the health of the inmates and the cost to the taxpayers. Treatment of infectious diseases is far pricier than the condoms.
KBAK:
California Law Puts Free Condoms In State Prisons
Sex is illegal in California prisons, but if you pay taxes you're funding free condoms for inmates. Despite a blatant contradiction to existing portions of the state's penal code, lawmakers insist the program protects both taxpayer's physical health and wallets. The law was signed by the governor in 2014, but was implemented slowly, meaning Kern County's five prisons are only just now receiving the new perk for prisoners. (Harvey, 5/19)
In other health care news from across the state —
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Fighting Prediabetes In San Diego
Last year, Elvira Eggleston’s doctor told her she had prediabetes. That diagnosis shocked her quite a bit. The 71-year-old San Diegan said she felt perfectly healthy and was surprised to learn that a routine test showed her blood sugar levels were elevated, though not high enough for her to be called a Type 2 diabetic. Hearing this information from her doctor, she said, was enough for her to take action. (Sisson, 5/18)
KQED:
Fresno Aims To Boost Health Through Biking, Walking
Joanna Ruiz’s ZIP code in south Fresno has a higher incidence of diabetes among adults than Fresno as a whole, according to data from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Fresno County’s death rate from diabetes is one of the highest in California. Officials in Fresno are now aiming to boost public health and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians by creating more transportation options that do not involve driving. (Romero, 5/18)
The Orange County Register:
Medical Marijuana Might Soon Be Much More Available In O.C.
Orange County’s restrictive marijuana environment might look quite different after Nov. 8. As Californians prepare to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana, residents of several local cities will decide whether to regulate and tax medical marijuana businesses for the first time. (Staggs, 5/18)