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Sammy Caiola
Healthcare Reporter
Sammy Caiola has been covering medical breakthroughs, fitness fads and health policy in California since 2014. Before joining CapRadio, Sammy was a health reporter at The Sacramento Bee. She has degrees in journalism and gender studies from Northwestern University.
In 2015 Sammy completed a data fellowship at the University of Southern California, which led to a three-part series on black child death in Sacramento County. She has also reported extensively on autism spectrum disorder, reproductive health care, LGBT health, and conjoined twinning.
Sammy is a ZUMBA instructor and an avid hiker. She hails from Long Island, New York, but much prefers the fine wine and stunning scenery of the West coast. In her spare time, she plays with her black Labrador, Pepper, and performs in local community theatre productions.
California Has Reported The First Teen Death From COVID-19. Here’s What Parents Need To Know
August 3, 2020
Pediatricians say the recent death of a California teenager from COVID-19 is a reminder that children are not immune from the illness, although they are at less risk than adults.
Hospitals Juggle Resources, Continue Surgeries As California’s COVID-19 Cases Rise
July 31, 2020
California hospitals are performing a careful balancing act of continuing business as usual while maintaining COVID-19 surge capacity. In most cases, that doesn’t involve canceling or postponing non-essential procedures.
California Doesn’t Need To Force More People Into Mental Health Treatment, But Services Are Lacking, State Audit Finds
July 30, 2020
Many severely mentally ill Californians are cycling in-and-out of forced hospitalizations due to a lack of treatment options when they’re released, according to a recent report from the state auditor.
Sacramento County Health Officials Say Young People, Essential Workers and Seniors Are Of Major Concern In Current COVID-19 Surge
July 29, 2020
California health officials have created indicators for how well counties are mitigating COVID-19 spread. Sacramento County is failing three of them: positivity rate, transmission rate and ICU capacity.
Watch: Virtual Conversation On Race, Sexual Violence And Police Accountability
July 28, 2020
Watch back CapRadio’s live virtual conversation about why sexual assault survivors are joining the movement to defund the police.
Sexual Assault Survivors Want Less Police, More Trauma-Informed Professionals — Especially For Black Victims
July 28, 2020
In the era of ‘defund the police’ and during a push for more racial equality, survivors of sexual violence are calling for cases to be handled by mental health professionals not law enforcement officers.
Interview: Stevante Clark On Defunding The Police And His New Foundation
July 24, 2020
Stevante Clark recently launched the I Am SAC foundation to continue the legacy of his brother Stephon Clark and lead the charge on police reform in Sacramento.
COVID-19 Death Rates Highest For Latino Californians, Latest Data Show
July 21, 2020
A new study out of UCLA shows COVID-19 death rates are more than five times higher among middle-aged Latino than white Californians of the same age, largely due to Latinos making up much of the essential workforce.
Sacramento Groups Are Writing A ‘People’s Budget’ To Defund Police, Invest In Community Services
July 14, 2020
Organizations representing homeless, incarcerated and low-income individuals in Sacramento are asking county officials to consider shifting money away from law enforcement and toward health, education and social services.
Sutter Health Wants To Delay A Settlement Payment Due To COVID-19, But Experts Say Large Health Systems Have Plenty Of Reserves
July 14, 2020
Sutter Health wants to delay finalizing a $575 million settlement, citing financial losses due to COVID-19. But advocates, health policy experts and California’s attorney general say the hospital system can’t use the pandemic as an excuse not to pay.