Health
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – From April 14 through April 18, the Lake County Health Services Department and community partners attended the 2019 FEMA Healthcare Coalition Response Leadership, or HRCL, course in Anniston, Alabama.
The HCRL course is based on guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control, and Prevention Public Health Preparedness Capabilities, as well as best practices for health care coalition building, preparedness, response and recovery.
Attendees received instruction on the development of indicators, triggers, and tactics for proactive health coalition planning.
In addition, the course provided techniques and instruction for health care coalition response and recovery leadership, during an emergency.
Lake County health leaders also gained practical experience in healthcare coalition leadership response, through a series of progressive exercises designed to emulate realistic community and regional public health and medical emergencies.
The Lake County Health Services Department and community partners learned the latest emergency planning procedures, and received valuable information to ensure our county’s safety during an actual emergency.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
“We absolutely must look out for our most vulnerable population,” Sen. Dodd said. “I’m proposing legislation that achieves that important goal while saving money for the state. It is commonsense policy that ensures everyone comes out ahead.”
Senate Bill 214, which passed the Senate Health committee yesterday, would allow low-income people with disabilities to make the transition from skilled nursing facilities to receiving care in their homes, getting residents in the most integrated community settings possible. It allows for the extension of an existing program if federal funds run out in 2020.
The program, California Community Transitions, successfully transitioned 3,629 from institutional settings since 2007 for an average savings of $60,000 per person per year.
The bill is co-sponsored by Disability Rights California and East Bay Innovations.
“We’re appreciative of Sen. Dodd’s leadership in authoring this bill so we can continue to provide these important services,” said Tom Heinz, East Bay Innovations’ executive director. “California Community Transitions opens up the world again for people who have been trapped in institutionalized settings so they can return to a life of dignity and choice.”
The second bill, SB 263, would help Californians with disabilities save for their financial futures while streamlining accounting requirements for small businesses. It increases the amount people can put in CalABLE accounts, which allow families of the disabled to open tax-free savings accounts without the worry of losing government assistance.
SB 263 is supported by Treasurer Fiona Ma and disability rights advocates. It passed the Senate Governance and Finance committee yesterday.
“This would allow for greater participation by people without fear of losing important benefits like SSI and Medicaid,” said Treasurer Ma. “It’s time to give these folks some financial security and stability and stop hiding assets.”
Dodd represents California’s Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Sen. Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
“For decades, research on gun violence has been woefully underfunded even as this violence has become a tragic and everyday epidemic,” said Thompson. “This Congress is taking action, this time by providing $25 million in the upcoming appropriations bill for the CDC to study gun violence and research effective public health approaches to combatting this crisis.”
He added, “We’ve seen this public health approach yield great success in reducing deaths and injuries in other areas – from car crashes to diseases to food contamination. Appropriating this funding is a critical step in combatting gun violence and one we have long fought for. I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure this becomes law.”
You can click here to learn more about this announcement.
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- Written by: California Department of Public Health
Officials said vaccination is especially critical for those who plan to travel internationally.
In 2019 to date, there have been 38 cases of measles in California. This is an increase of 15 cases from last week, and compares with 11 cases at this time in 2018.
Of the 2019 cases, 14 cases were in international travelers, 22 cases were due to spread from travelers to persons in California, and 2 cases are of unknown source.
Measles is currently widespread in many countries.
“Vaccination is the only way to ensure you and your family members will not get measles,” said State Public Health Officer and CDPH Director Dr. Karen Smith. “Many countries are currently experiencing widespread measles activity. Make sure you and your family are fully vaccinated before travelling internationally, and contact your healthcare provider immediately if anyone develops a rash and a fever while you are abroad, or when you return.”
The international travel associated with the 2019 California cases include India, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and the Ukraine.
“Overall, California has a relatively high vaccination rate for measles,” said Dr. Smith. “Approximately 95 percent of all children entering kindergarten in California have received the necessary two doses of measles vaccine. Our vaccination rates have helped to stop the spread of measles in California. However, as evidenced by the outbreaks to date, the remaining unvaccinated and under vaccinated Californians are at risk. Vaccination is the best way to stop the spread of this highly contagious and serious virus.”
Individuals returning from international travel should call their healthcare provider for advice and avoid contact with other people if measles symptoms develop.
Measles begins with a fever that lasts for several days, followed by a cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (red eye) and a rash.
The rash typically appears first on the face, along the hairline, and behind the ears and then affects the rest of the body. Infected people are usually contagious from about four days before their rash starts to four days afterwards.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations and guidance for measles vaccination can be found here.
California data on measles is updated weekly and can be found here.