Latest California Healthline Stories
Following Meningitis Outbreak, Questions Linger Over Vaccination’s Effectiveness
Three Santa Clara University students had developed meningitis, even though at least one of them had been vaccinated. But that vaccination was approved under an accelerated FDA process, and much is still unknown about it.
Mosquito Species That Carries Zika Found In 13 California Counties
Though the ones found in the traps were not carrying the virus, public health officials are warning residents to take extra precaution. In other Zika news, researchers are racing to investigate this latest global epidemic.
Obama Leans On Health Care Savings, Targets Opioid Abuse And Cancer In $4.15 Trillion Budget
The Department of Health and Human Services’s funding would bump up to $1.1 trillion and the National Institutes of Health would get $33.1 billion. The president also proposes deep health program cuts to save $375 billion over the next 10 years.
Alarming Suicide Trend Among Women Vets Targeted By Rep. Brownley Bill
The U.S. House passed the measure, authored by Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., by voice vote. Female veterans are six times more likely to commit suicide than non-veteran females.
Zenefits Strife Emblematic Of Larger Disconnect Between Silicon Valley, Health Industry
While Silicon Valley tends to focus on quickly revolutionizing industries, success in the health care sector hinges on more mundane matters — such as getting the appropriate licensing for selling insurance. In other health technology news, a biotech firm will partner its drug with others to boost its potential to fight cancer, and digital ventures are looking to offer consumers the cheapest options utilizing price-comparison apps.
What’s In Obama’s $4.15 Trillion Budget?
Although much of the president’s budget includes proposals — like Medicaid expansion — that are dead on arrival in the Republican Congress, ideas such as funding cancer research and opioid treatment could garner bipartisan support in a rancorous election year.
In Surprise Move, Santa Clara Officials May Renew Ambulance Contract
Some in the county, concerned by the company’s past financial troubles urge restraint and caution when deciding who to go with for their medical response services.
Legal System Impacted By New Medical Understanding Of ‘Shaken Baby Syndrome’
A pending appeal by a former San Diego daycare owner, jailed for 17 years after an infant died at her center, is at the forefront of new legal challenges. In other court news, two federal agencies back a Palo Alto family’s cystic fibrosis-related lawsuit. And Oxnard will pay out $2.9 million to the family of a man who died in custody after he swallowed methamphetamines.
Researchers: ‘There’s No Silver Bullet’ To Eliminating Mosquitoes, But Progress Can Be Made
As the Zika virus spreads, scientists are looking for ways to wipe out the species that carry life-threatening diseases, but the solution isn’t a simple one. In other news, California doctors find it hard to offer advice to pregnant women as they themselves receive ever-changing information about the virus.
Physician Weighs In On Controversial CDC Recommendations Regarding Women And Alcohol
Dr. Ralph Steiger, a physician at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs who works with high-risk pregnancies, says part of the reason for the advice that women of childbearing age should not drink alcohol at all unless using birth control is to protect the fetuses’ heart development. In other public health news, a federal task force issues recommendations on screening for depression in adolescents.