Health CareDeadly restraint: Despite decades of warnings, police continue holding people facedown.February 28, 2024Since the 1990s, law enforcement officials and medical experts have cautioned about the dangers of police-prone restraint, especially when people are high on stimulants or experiencing a mental health crisis.
Health CareThe rate of antidepressants prescribed to young people surged during the pandemicFebruary 27, 2024Researchers analyzed a sample of about 221 million prescriptions from 2016 to 2022, in Americans between the ages of 12 and 25. The increase was prominent among young women and girls.
State GovernmentCalifornia's Proposition 1 is complicated. Here's how it could affect the people most in need.February 22, 2024 | Kate WolffeAmong other things, the proposition would change the terms of the Mental Health Services Act, a law passed by voters in 2004 that uses a 1% tax on high earners to help pay for mental health services.
Health CareA record number of Californians are visiting emergency rooms for dog bitesFebruary 20, 2024There were nearly 50,000 emergency room visits for dog bites in California in 2022. The rate of such visits per capita is up about 70% since 2005.
Health CareThe CDC may be reconsidering its COVID isolation guidanceFebruary 14, 2024The current guidance advises five days of isolation. Unnamed health officials have indicated that this guidance may soon go away, a move that troubles public health experts.
Health CareCalifornia universities are required to offer students abortion pills. A lot just don't mention itFebruary 5, 2024One year after California became the first state to require that its public universities provide the abortion pill to students, LAist found that basic information on where or how students can obtain the medication is lacking and, often, nonexistent.
Health CareThe Covered California deadline is coming up. Here’s how to enroll.January 30, 2024 | Kate WolffeAbout 13% more people have signed up for health insurance through Covered California, so far, during this open enrollment period than in the same period last year. The deadline to sign up is 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
Health CareJN.1 takes over as the most prevalent COVID-19 variant. Here's what you need to knowJanuary 26, 2024The CDC estimates that up to 86% of new COVID-19 cases stem from the latest mutation. The virus continues to evolve so rapidly that "our immune systems have not been able to keep up," an expert says.
Health CareNewsom sacks effort to limit tackle football for kids in CaliforniaJanuary 21, 2024 | Kate WolffeDemocratic Assemblymember Kevin McCarty said legislation is necessary to protect children from developing CTE – chronic traumatic encephalopathy – a degenerative disease associated with repeated head impacts.
Health CareCalifornia ends COVID isolation rule for asymptomatic cases as winter infections climbJanuary 19, 2024California relaxed its COVID-19 isolation guidelines just as infections for the respiratory virus increased. Symptom-free people can go to work or school.