Latest California Healthline Stories
CDC: Adult Obesity Rate Leveling Off but Still a Public Health Concern
New analysis by CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics finds that the nation’s adult obesity rate appears to have largely leveled off between 2010 and 2012 after steadily rising for decades. Still, experts warn that obesity remains a troubling public health issue, with 34.9% of U.S. adults considered obese in 2012. USA Today et al.
Report Finds 57% of California School Districts Lack a Full-Time Nurse
A new report finds that while the number of California children with chronic illnesses is increasing, more than half of school districts in the state lack a full-time nurse. According to the report, the number of students for whom a single school nurse is responsible varies significantly across the state, from 180 to more than 20,000 students. HealthyCal.
Stigma Prevents Asian Americans From Seeking Mental Health Care
Many Asian Americans in California and other states will not seek care for mental illnesses because of a cultural stigma. California providers seek to deliver mental health services to such individuals through various means, such as by describing treatments as strategies for managing stress. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
A Sacramento Bee editorial argues that a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to reject Gov. Brown’s appeal of a court-ordered reduction of the state prison population should help the governor focus on reducing the number of inmates “from 120,000 … to 112,000” by January and “sustaining those levels over time.” It continues that the ruling should prompt state officials to “[r]ethink who goes to prison for how long.” The editorial concludes, “We need a new, simpler organizing framework that has a positive impact in reducing crime and re-offense rates.” Sacramento Bee.
Bay Area Rapid Transit Employees Go on Strike
On Friday, Bay Area Rapid Transit employees went on strike after contract discussions broke down. Union officials said an agreement on health care and pension contributions had been reached. However, disagreements over work rules on overtime, scheduling and other issues held up the negotiations. Contra Costa Times et al.
CalPERS To Appeal San Bernardino Bankruptcy Ruling
On Thursday, CalPERS said it will appeal an August court ruling that allowed the city of San Bernardino to file for bankruptcy. The city owes CalPERS $17 million in overdue payments. In a press release, CalPERS stated it would file an appeal “on the grounds that [San Bernardino] did not consider alternatives to filing for Chapter 9 protection, did not file its bankruptcy petition in good faith and has not provided reliable financial information.” Sacramento Bee, Reuters.
Where Medicare Beneficiaries Live Can Affect Which Medications They Are Prescribed, Study Finds
Where Medicare beneficiaries live can make a difference in which medications they are prescribed, leading some individuals to receive risky treatments while others miss out on treatments altogether, according to a study released Tuesday by the Dartmouth Atlas Project. The analysis found that beneficiaries living in Alexandria, La., were more than three times more likely to receive potentially harmful substances — such as certain muscle relaxants or anxiety relievers, which can cause problems like excessive sedation and falls — than individuals in Rochester, Minn. AP/Modern Healthcare.
ACO Led by Brown & Toland, Cigna Adds 327 Physicians
Brown & Toland Physicians has expanded an accountable care organization that it oversees with Cigna by adding 327 doctors from its affiliate, Alta Bates Medical Group. The ACO — which launched last October — creates patient-centered medical homes to focus on the treatment of patients with chronic conditions. Payers & Providers.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 18, 2013
UC-San Francisco Medical Center is conducting an independent review of safety and security at San Francisco General Hospital after the body of a patient who had been missing for 17 days was found in a hospital stairwell. Kern Medical Center has announced several cost-cutting measures, including a hiring freeze and a re-evaluation of staffing levels.
With Shutdown Over, Focus Shifts to Glitches on ACA Website
With the partial federal government shutdown over, the focus of lawmakers and the public now is shifting to the rocky rollout of the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges. Observers say that the government might have to shut down the federal exchange website to resolve persistent glitches that have hindered consumers’ ability to purchase insurance from the marketplaces. Politico et al.