Latest California Healthline Stories
Pentagon to Reserve Supply of Anthrax Vaccine for Civilians
A senior Pentagon official said yesterday that much of the military’s anthrax vaccine supply, “originally intended exclusively for military personnel,” likely will be reserved for civilian use, the AP/Nando Times reports.
Three Contra Costa County Health Clinics Form New Consortium
Three public health clinics in Contra Costa County have partnered to form a new consortium for “lobbying, fundraising and educational efforts,” the Contra Costa Times reports.
DEA Agents Raid Santa Rosa Medical Marijuana Club
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency agents on Wednesday raided a Santa Rosa medical marijuana buyers’ club and arrested two people, marking the latest action in the ongoing conflict between federal and state officials over Proposition 215, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
Health officials’ ability to detect and contain the spread of infectious diseases resulting from a bioterrorist attack could be impeded because many of the 40 million Americans who lack health insurance would not seek medical treatment, according to an article published in today’s issue of the journal Science, the AP/Arizona Republic reports.
Blue Shield Acquires Lifeguard to Become State’s Third-Largest Insurer
Blue Shield of California has agreed to acquire Northern California HMO Lifeguard Inc., making the insurer the state’s third-largest health plan, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Pharmaceutical Industry Focused on Profits, Not Innovation, USA Today Editorial States
A study released by the National Institute for Health Care Management this week finding that only 15% of drugs approved by the FDA from 1989 to 2000 were “highly innovative” is “just the latest evidence suggesting the drug industry is more interested in fattening its bottom line than funding innovation,” according to a USA Today editorial.
Hospitals with Higher Proportions of Registered Nurses Have Better Patient Outcomes, Study Finds
Patients in hospitals with low numbers of registered nurses are more likely to have complications, stay in the hospital longer and die from treatable conditions than patients in hospitals with more registered nurses, according to a study released today, the New York Times reports.
The San Jose Mercury News today profiles the efforts of Fremont-based Washington Hospital to launch a wireless tracking system to monitor nurses’ locations.
The Modesto City Schools Board of Education on Tuesday voted 4-3 to prohibit discussion of teen pregnancy, contraception and abortion in a human relations class, “saying such talk belongs in a health class where abstinence is the key message,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
Prilosec Manufacturers to Ask FDA to Approve Heartburn Drug for Over-the-Counter Sales
AztraZeneca and Procter & Gamble will ask an FDA advisory panel next month to approve the companies’ heartburn drug Prilosec for over-the-counter sales, USA Today reports.