The Problem With Combating Valley Fever: People Still Don’t Even Know It Exists
Experts say public health officials need to come up with a simple and consistent message to convey the dangers of the disease.
The Bakersfield Californian:
Don’t Let Edie’s Death From Valley Fever Be In Vain, Her Sister Pleads Three Ways Valley Fever Could Be Elevated As A Public Health Priority
Initially, doctors thought Edie Preller had pneumonia, then tuberculosis, or maybe bronchitis. They quarantined her and ran tests. Six months later they discovered that she had inhaled a deadly spore from a fungus that grows throughout the region. The spore caused a disease called valley fever, which spread from her lungs into her brain. Preller had been an in-home health care worker, taking care of other people who were ill. Then, in her 50s, she ended up in a losing battle for her own life, spending her last three years in and out of a hospital. (Pierce and Innes, 9/3)
In other public health news —
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Sexually Transmitted Disease Rates Skyrocket In Sonoma County
The rates of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have been skyrocketing in Sonoma County since 2008 as the spread of HIV has declined slightly, raising alarms among local health care professionals and county public health officials. The seemingly contradictory trends have local health experts trying to figure out the possible causes. Some point to mobile “hookup” apps that have greatly facilitated consensual and casual sex, or the use of HIV prevention and treatment methods that inhibit the spread of the virus but may be encouraging risky behavior such as no longer using condoms. (Espinoza, 9/3)
East Bay Times:
Importance Of Breastfeeding Highlighted At Oakland Festival
Laura Cox is passionate about the importance of breast-feeding. “I feel this is a human rights issue. What we’re discovering is if we don’t breast-feed, we are hurting not only ourselves, but our children,” said Cox, who co-founded the Oakland Breastfeeding Festival, held last weekend at Lake Merritt. “I feel there’s a lot of people out there who didn’t breast-feed because of a lack of education,” said the certified lactation educator and counselor. The festival included speakers and lactation counselors and educators and a communal “latch on.” (Parr, 9/1)
KPCC:
Critics Say Republican Budget Threatens Californians' Health
As Congress works to pass a budget by the end of the month, advocates for the poor warn Republicans' proposed cuts to safety-net programs could hurt Californians' health. .. The Center says it would mean a $2 billion a year hit to CalFresh – formerly known as food stamps. (Faust, 9/4)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Blue-Tag Abuse: Disabled-Placard Cheaters Work The Angles
A state audit released in April found that most placard applications lacked proper descriptions of the recipients’ disabilities. It also found that tens of thousands are held by people who are dead or over 100 years old. (Cabanatuan, 9/3)
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Meals On Wheels Tests High-Tech Health Checks For Seniors
Kust after he finished delivering a meal to 70-year-old Anne Stillman of Vista, a question popped up on Christopher Topper’s smartphone screen. Before getting into his truck to head to his next delivery, the Meals on Wheels courier took just a second to respond to the query. "The app asks me if there is a change in condition, meaning, is there anything that needs to be reported about her wellness? Anne looks great, I'm going to hit 'no' and, boom, on to the next client," Topper said just before sliding back behind the wheel. That quick tap puts Meals on Wheels on the edge of a revolution in health care that seeks to take action on potential problems in homes before seniors end up in the back of an ambulance. This kind of work, experts say, is becoming more vital as baby boomers enter retirement age and advances in health care mean that their parents have a better chance than ever of celebrating their 100th birthdays. (Sisson, 9/1)