Latest California Healthline Stories
SCOTUS Declines Challenge to Alameda County Rx Drug Disposal Law
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider the pharmaceutical industry’s challenge to an Alameda County law that requires drugmakers to design and pay for a comprehensive prescription drug disposal program. Some officials say the decision could lead to more counties adopting similar policies. Inside Bay Area et al.
Calif. Bill Would Bar Misinformation at Crisis Pregnancy Centers
A bill approved yesterday by the California Assembly would require crisis pregnancy centers to inform women about how and where they can access affordable and timely abortion, contraception and prenatal care services.The bill also would mandate that unlicensed facilities that provide pregnancy- and family planning-related services inform patients that the facility is not licensed. Reuters et al.
California Democrats Release Competing Budget Proposals
Yesterday, Democrats in the California Senate and Assembly unveiled budget plans that differ on key issues, such as spending for child care. However, lawmakers say the proposals share priorities, such as restoring cuts made to the In-Home Supportive Services program. San Jose Mercury News.
Providers’ Colon Cancer Screening Recommendations Vary by Race, California Study Finds
Health care providers are less likely to recommend colon cancer screening for minorities than for whites, according to a new California study. The study, which analyzed responses to the 2009 California Health Interview survey, found that 17% of whites cited their main reason for skipping colon cancer screening as a lack of doctor recommendation, compared with 25% of Blacks, 21% of Latinos and 22% of Asian Americans. Reuters.
Sutter, Boehringer Ingelheim Partner on Drug Research
Sutter Health has announced a new five-year research partnership with drug company Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals to test digital health programs and mobile technology for patients with chronic lung disease. The partnership aims to collect patient data, identify gaps in care and improve provider communication about treatment options. Sacramento Business Journal.
Report Finds Mental Illness a Key Factor in Teenage Suicides in Orange County
A total of 65 Orange County residents ages 10 to 19 committed suicide between 2009 and 2013, according to a report released Tuesday. The report found that key risk factors for suicidal teens include depression, being diagnosed with a mental illness or showing signs of a mental illness. Orange County Register.
A new analysis of California Department of Public Health data finds that rates of emergency department visits among children with asthma increased between 2005 and 2012, despite the state’s programs to decrease rates of the disease. Among California children ages five to 17, ED visits for asthma increased by 18% during the period the data were collected, while such visits increased by 6% among children under age 5. Kaiser Health News/KQED.
Many Sacramento Women at Risk of Developing Osteoporosis Do Not Receive Screenings
A study led by researchers from UC-Davis found that many Sacramento-area women with a high-risk of osteoporosis are not tested for the condition, while women with a lower risk for the condition are screened too often. In a release, the study’s senior author Joshua Fenton — as associate professor at UC-Davis — said, “Health systems should invest in developing electronic health record systems that prompt providers at the point-of-care when screening is needed and when it can be postponed.” HealthDay/U.S. News & World Report.
California Hospitals Ranked in U.S. News’ Online Rating System
Last week, U.S. News & World Report released a new hospital rating system that grades the performance of thousands of U.S. hospitals — including many in California — on five common surgical procedures and conditions. Ten Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Northern California received high ratings for at least one common procedure. Manteca Bulletin et al.
Study: Fewer U.S. Residents Report Difficulty Paying Medical Bills
A new Urban Institute study finds that the percentage of U.S. residents who have difficulty paying medical bills has declined by about five percentage points since September 2013. Meanwhile, a companion study finds 70% of individuals with medical debt had insurance when they went into debt. The Hill, Urban Institute study.