Latest California Healthline Stories
San Diego Officials: Two County Fair Workers Diagnosed With TB; Public Exposure Unlikely
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency has confirmed two employees of a food services company working at the Del Mar Fairgrounds have been diagnosed with tuberculosis and could have exposed other workers. Officials say the facility where the Premier Food Service employees worked was not accessible to the public and it is unlikely that fair attendees are at risk of contracting the virus. Fox 5 San Diego.
Grand Jury Urges Review of Care in Santa Cruz Jails
On Tuesday, a Grand Jury found that the California Forensic Medical Group — which has provided medical services to Santa Cruz County jails since 2012 — is unreliable and lacks transparency. The jurors suggested the county hire an independent expert and obtain accreditation for county jail medical services to help the Sheriff-Corners office increase oversight and transparency. Central Costal News KION
Healdsburg Becomes First Calif. City To Prohibit Tobacco Sales to Individuals Under Age 21
On Wednesday, a new age limit to buy tobacco products takes effect in Healdsburg, making it the first California city to restrict the sale cigarettes to individuals ages 21 and older. A similar age increase was approved last month in Santa Clara and will take effect Jan. 1, 2016. Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
California Workers To Start Accruing Sick Leave Hours Today
A California law that mandates at least three days of paid sick leave annually for certain workers goes into effect today. Workers can use the paid time off to deal with existing health conditions, diagnoses of conditions or other specified purposes, such as sexual assault or domestic violence. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
Assembly Panel Rejects Nurse Practitioners’ Scope-of-Practice Bill
The Assembly Committee on Business and Professions has voted down a bill that would have expanded nurse practitioners’ scope of practice. The move comes after the bill’s author refused to add an amendment barring such providers from corporate employment. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Many HIV-Positive U.S. Residents Unaware of Infection
About one in eight U.S. residents with HIV does not realize they are infected, and they cause nearly one-third of HIV transmissions in the U.S., according to a report released Thursday by CDC. CDC used a model to estimate that there were about 1.2 million HIV-positive U.S. residents in 2011. Of those individuals, 14% were undiagnosed. Infection rates ranged from 110 per 100,000 people in Iowa to 3,936 per 100,000 people in Washington, D.C. Louisiana had 77% of HIV-positive people who were aware they had the virus, the lowest percentage in the U.S. USA Today.
SCOTUS Rules That Air Pollution Restrictions Must Consider Costs to Businesses, Consumers
The Supreme Court on Monday in a 5-4 decision ruled that federal efforts to drastically limit power plant emissions must weigh the costs the initiatives could have on companies and consumers. The Environmental Protection Agency issued proposed regulations in 2012 to limit the amount of mercury and other potentially hazardous toxins emitted in the air by power companies. The rules were set to take full effect this year. EPA has estimated the regulations would provide annual health benefits worth between $37 billion and $90 billion, while complying with the rules costs an estimated $9.6 billion annually. Los Angeles Times.
Supreme Court To Hear Case Challenging Vt. Health Data Sharing Law
The U.S. Supreme Court says it will hear in its next term a case — Gobeille v. Liberty Mutual Insurance — that involves the legality of a requirement under Vermont law for self-funded insurers to submit certain information upon request to a state database. The U.S. Solicitor General’s office has said the case could have national implications. Modern Healthcare et al.
Study Finds Sugary Drinks Linked to 180K Deaths Annually Worldwide
A new study finds that the U.S. had the fourth-most sugary drink-related deaths worldwide, with 153 per one million adults. The researchers argue that reducing consumption of such drinks could save thousands of lives annually. However, the American Beverage Association dismissed the study’s abstract when it was presented in 2013. Los Angeles Times‘ “Science Now” et al.
UCLA Identifies Mental Health Factors for Low-Income Minorities
A study by UCLA researchers finds that low-income black, Hispanic and Latino U.S. residents are disproportionately affected by mental health issues and chronic conditions. Using that research, another group of UCLA researchers developed a screening tool to help providers better treat mental health issues among ethnic and racial minorities. Medical News Today, Latin Post.