Public Health

Commentary

California should be treating gun violence as a public health crisis

State and local officials are still asking law enforcement to prevent gun violence. Community leaders believe gun violence should be treated as a public health crisis, and incorporate prevention strategies that address the social factors in areas most at risk.

By Guest Commentary • January 24, 2023

Coronavirus

State COVID testing sites begin to close

As the state prepares to end the state of emergency, those sites with less demand will close first.

By Kristen Hwang • January 19, 2023

Commentary

California jails failed to monitor or report COVID data. Some didn’t even bother

Many California jails failed to track crucial pandemic data, making it difficult to gauge the effectiveness of COVID policies. There are also signs that sheriff's offices, which manage local jails, did not comply with public health mandates.

By Guest Commentary • December 7, 2022

Health

The supply of COVID antivirals is increasing, but many patients aren’t using them

Health officials say a key difference between this upcoming winter and the last two is the wider availability of COVID antivirals like Paxlovid. But many infected people aren’t aware of their availability or have difficulty accessing them.

By Ana B. Ibarra • December 5, 2022

Commentary

Why California must end the use of herbicide linked to cancer, Parkinson’s

The herbicide paraquat is banned in dozens of countries due to its well-documented links to Parkinson's disease and cancer, yet the U.S. and California still allow it.

By Guest Commentary • November 22, 2022

Health

More people will be eligible for health insurance through Covered California

Under previous rules, family members of those who had insurance through an employer were not eligible for Covered California. In some cases, those employer plans cover the employee but are expensive for spouses and children, leaving families with few options.

By Elizabeth Aguilera • November 7, 2022

WhatMatters

California faces triple threat of respiratory illnesses

Forget “twindemic” — California may be in for a three-headed Cerberus of respiratory illnesses this winter as the flu, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19 collide. Orange County on Monday declared a local public health emergency over RSV, a common cause of pneumonia in babies that’s contributed to a record number of pediatric hospitalizations and daily […]

By Emily Hoeven • November 2, 2022

Health

The public health workforce got an infusion of money during the pandemic, but is it enough?

During the decade after the 2008 recession, state funding for public health dropped 64%. COVID-19 funding has boosted the budgets of local public health departments, but the exodus of staff has left local officials struggling to fill vacancies.

By Kristen Hwang • October 19, 2022

Health

Congenital syphilis rates soar across California as public health funding dwindled prior to the pandemic

The number of congenital syphilis cases has ballooned to rates not seen in two decades. Public health workers say the increase coincides with a decline in funding for public health and a drop in the rate of women accessing prenatal care.

By Kristen Hwang • October 10, 2022

Health

Community health workers hit the streets to battle the surge in congenital syphilis

Once considered an infection nearly eradicated, congenital syphilis rates have risen dramatically in California. Community health workers fan out across communities to find and treat patients who are often homeless or battling addiction.

By Kristen Hwang • October 10, 2022