Latest California Healthline Stories
Survey: Medical Students Believe African-Americans Feel Less Pain
The University of Virginia survey found there’s an implicit racial bias in how students and medical professionals treat pain.
Cost Of Insulin Triples, Driven By More Expensive Synthetic Product
Analog insulin, a man-made version, is faster-acting than human insulin, and considered more convenient to use, but it is also putting a higher price tag on care for diabetics.
Calif. Agents Search Home Of Man Behind Planned Parenthood Videos
David Daleiden says the investigators took all of his video footage and other personal information. State Attorney General Kamala Harris could not comment on an ongoing investigation, but had previously announced that she would look into whether Daleiden broke any laws with his sting operation, which has also led to an indictment in Texas. Meanwhile, the National Abortion Federation has attributed a surge in violence and threats directed at abortion clinics to the videos.
‘Ransomware’ Attacks On California Hospitals Expose Risks To Sensitive Health Data
Cybersecurity experts say hospitals are particularly vulnerable because of aging equipment, nonstop schedules and high-volume communication needs. In other information technology news, researchers develop a Twitter-based smoking cessation program and Yelp reviewers offer broader hospital reviews than the government’s standard survey.
Lawmaker Targets Dangerous Health Practices In Modeling Industry
Marc Levine, a Marin County Democrat, believes his bill creating health standards and workplace protections for models is the first in the country, though there have been similar laws passed in Europe.
Stiffer Penalties For Fentanyl Crimes Unanimously Backed By State Senate Committee
As the number of overdoses rises, SB 1323 could add up to 25 years to a sentence for those selling or transporting fentanyl. In other drug epidemic news, lawmakers consider supervised facilities for heroin users.
Final Rule Provides Slight Increase In Medicare Advantage Payments
The decision, which came after heavy lobbying, was a bit lower than the administration initially suggested. On another part of the rule, however, the administration delayed efforts to cut payments to employer-sponsored Medicare Advantage plans.
UCSD Public Health Expert Appointed To National Cancer ‘Moonshot’ Panel
Dr. Maria Elena Martinez, one of 28 scientists named to the blue ribbon panel, is widely known for trying to reduce the disparities that exist among many minorities when it comes to the prevention and treatment of cancer.
A Quest To Prove Spinal Cord Injuries Aren’t A Life-Long Sentence
A UCLA researcher is offering a glimmer of hope with his work with electrical currents and the spinal cord. Physicians and patient advocates say that it is one of the first approaches that may help large numbers of patients in the near future.
Experts Warn Of Looming Social, Economic Catastrophe Of Obesity-Related Deaths
Researchers say decades worth of gains in medical technology are no match for the nation’s obesity epidemic. No life-prolonging improvements in medical care or public health measures are likely to be able to compensate for the life-shortening effects of obesity, they say.