Latest California Healthline Stories
Stanford Study Finds Link Between Heartburn Drugs, Heart Attack Risk
A Stanford University study that mined the electronic health record data of nearly three million patients found that the use of certain heartburn drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors, was associated with a 16% to 20% increased risk of heart attack. KQED’s “State of Health” et al.
Calif. Communities at High-Risk for Pollution-Related Health Issues
A new online map released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows that several California communities are among the areas in the U.S. with the highest risk for health issues associated with air pollution, hazardous waste and other pollutants. The tool combines environmental and demographic data to identify low-income, minority populations that face such health risks. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
State Agency’s Settlement Will Bolster Enforcement of Health-Related Safety Incidents
California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health has reached a settlement in two lawsuits accusing the state of repeatedly failing to protect farm workers who are denied access to water and shade while working in extreme heat. As part of the settlement, the agency has agreed to improve enforcement of recently approved safety regulations and conduct two internal audits evaluating its effectiveness and examining ways to create a publicly accessible database of violators. AP/KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Santa Clara County Raises Tobacco-Buying Age to 21
On Tuesday, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that raises the legal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21, citing health concerns for young smokers. The ordinance will take effect Jan. 1, 2016, in unincorporated areas of the county and will affect about 25 retailers. AP/San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle.
Los Angeles County Officials Propose Raising In-Home Care Workers’ Hourly Pay
On Wednesday, two Los Angeles County supervisors proposed raising in-home care workers’ pay from the current $9.65 per hour to $11 per hour starting Feb. 1, 2016. The proposal — which came the day after in-home care workers rallied to have their pay raised to $15 per hour — would not include such workers in a proposed pay raise for county workers and private-sector employees in unincorporated areas being considered by the board. Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
AMA Adopts Several Health IT Policies at Annual Meeting
The American Medical Association adopted several health IT-related policies at its annual meeting this week, including those related to electronic health record training, the transition to ICD-10 code sets and prescription drug monitoring programs. AMA also adopted two policies that aim to bolster transparency of health care data and prices. Meanwhile, AMA announced that it has launched a Web-based platform to improve professional satisfaction among physicians and reduce burnout rates. Health Data Management et al.
Sacramento Developer Wins Hackathon With App To Help Locate Businesses Participating in WIC Program
Sacramento-based Apptology won the Health 2.0 Developer Challenge hackathon by developing a mobile application that helps residents locate businesses that participate in the Women, Infants and Children program, which provides food and nutritional support. The app compiles and sorts through data from the California Health and Human Services Open Data Portal.
Expert Panel Recommends FDA Approve New Cholesterol Drug
An FDA advisory panel has voted to recommend the agency approve the injectable cholesterol-lowering drug Praluent, though some panelists say more data are needed to determine the drug’s effectiveness. Praluent is in a new class of medicines, often called PCSK9 inhibitors. AP/Modern Healthcare et al.
Study Finds Some Hospitals Marking Up Procedure Prices by 1,000%
A new study published in Health Affairs finds that 50 U.S. hospitals — including two in California — charge more than 10 times the cost of performing a procedure, with the average markup at those facilities reaching 1,010%. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
S.F. Supervisors Vote To Require Warning Labels on Sugary Drink Ads
Under an ordinance approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, health warnings would be required on some advertisements for sugar-sweetened beverages. The board also has approved measures to prohibit ads for sugar-sweetened beverages on city property and ban city departments from buying sugary beverages. AP/KPCC’s “KPCC News.”