Public Health

Audit Slams State Oversight of Nursing Facilities

California’s skilled nursing facilities are increasingly putting their residents’ health in jeopardy, yet the state is failing to adequately crack down on the problem, according to a report released Tuesday.

Citations for substandard care at skilled nursing facilities statewide increased by almost a third between 2006 and 2015, according to the report from the California State Auditor. Over the same period, profits for the state’s three biggest private operators of nursing homes soared by tens of millions of dollars, even as the number of nursing facility beds barely changed.

Seeking Free Dental Care, Californians Pack Anaheim Convention Center

By Ron Shinkman

The Anaheim event resulted in mixed feelings for the volunteer dentists, who came from all over the state to participate. Many were elated to be able to provide care that alleviated pain and enhanced the quality of life for people who often have a tough time getting breaks.

But they were also troubled that obtaining oral care—which many experts believe has a direct correlation to a person’s overall health—is so nettlesome for low-income Californians.

Newly Released State Data Spurs Concern About Pesticide Use

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

Advocates for pesticide reform are demanding that the state beef up efforts to reduce California’s dependence on toxic chemicals in agriculture after newly released data showed pesticide use at near-record highs.

The report released this week by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation shows state farmers used 192 million pounds of pesticide chemicals for crop production in 2016.

Why We Should Be Treating Gun Violence Like Every Other Epidemic

By John Baackes and Richard Seidman

Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it needs to be treated like every other epidemic—as a public health crisis. The first step to finding a “cure” for any public health crisis is research.

Low-Income Californians Most Vulnerable as Climate Change Exacerbates Air Pollution, Report Says

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

California’s air pollution levels are among the worst in the country, and climate change is making the situation worse, according to a new report from the American Lung Association.

Despite the state’s efforts to reign in air pollution, 90 percent of California residents are exposed to unhealthy air at some point during the year.

After Centuries of Discrimination, We Need to Help Native American Victims of Violence

By Germaine Omish-Lucero

Partially because of the systemic injustice and discrimination we have faced over the past century, American Indians and Alaskan Natives are at greater risk of being victims of violence then any other race. Colonization plays a major role in why these disparities exist.

California’s Mental Health Providers Need to Try Harder to Reach Diverse Communities, Disparities Report Says

By Lisa Renner

California’s mental health providers need to work more closely with schools, communities and faith groups to make sure all residents get the care they need, according to a new report.

Are We Asking the Wrong Question About Medi-Cal?

By John Baackes

Health care advocates are always working on ways to make sure Medicaid is around to help people living in poverty. This is a good thing, but I also think it’s important to ask: Why do so many people require Medicaid? Why are so many people living and working in poverty? Why are we not working on more ways to lift people out of destitution?

In LA County, Mental Health Tax Money is Making a Difference

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

Los Angeles County, the most populous county in California, is successfully using money from a state tax on millionaires to fund programs that help the mentally ill, according to a new report. These efforts have succeeded in reducing homelessness, incarceration and hospitalization among the mentally ill, and improved the wellbeing of people served by the programs.

Despite State Efforts, the Number of Dentists Who Accept Denti-Cal Declined Over Last Five Years

By Ron Shinkman

The number of dental providers willing to treat Medi-Cal enrollees has decreased significantly in recent years, according to testimony state officials provided last week to the Hoover Commission, an independent state oversight agency.

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