health

Medical Procedures Vary By Region, According to New Study

Katie Orr — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:52:49 +0000

Depending on where they practice, doctors in different parts of California are more likely to recommend certain procedures. It’s a phenomenon called “variance.” A study from The California Healthcare Foundation shows it’s a consideration both patients and physicians should be aware of. The Foundation’s Maribeth Shannon says doctors might not realize what they’re doing.

California Soda Tax Proposal Sparks Debate

Pauline Bartolone — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:04:42 +0000

California lawmakers are considering a measure that would tax sugary drinks a penny per fluid ounce. The proposal is intended to cap soda consumption in order to reduce obesity rates. Health Care Reporter Pauline Bartolone in Sacramento has found a range of opinions on the soda tax.

It’s a hot afternoon in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood. Teenagers are out of school for the day. Some have beverages in their hands. Kirk Allen is sixteen years old:

Cases Of Mysterious Valley Fever Rise In American Southwest

Rebecca Plevin — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:32:32 +0000

When she was just 6, Emily Gorospe became very tired and sick. The spunky girl, now 8, developed a fever that wouldn't go away, and red blotches appeared across her body.

"She's got so much energy usually," says Emily's mother, Valerie Gorospe. "Just walking from one part of the house ... she was drained." The little girl was also very pale. "She just didn't look like herself," Valerie recalls.

Emily, who lives in Delano, in California's Central Valley, was eventually diagnosed with valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis.

Steinberg: Addressing Mental Health Can Reduce Prison Overcrowding

Ben Adler — Wed, 08 May 2013 01:19:48 +0000

The top Democrat in the California Senate is calling for more crisis access to mental health services to help reduce the state’s overcrowded prisons.

But as Ben Adler reports from Sacramento, the proposals likely wouldn’t satisfy a federal court order to reduce the state’s prison population.

Prison Health Advocates Call For More Steps to Stop Valley Fever Outbreak

Rebecca Plevin — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:44:04 +0000

On Monday afternoon, the federal receiver in charge of health care in California’s prisons ordered the state prison to remove inmates from two Central Valley prisons who are especially at risk of contracting valley fever. A day later, the state and experts are digesting that directive. Valley Public Radio's Rebecca Plevin reports, as part of the Reporting on Health Collaborative’s investigation into the disease.

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California Considers Expanded Roles for Nurses in Primary Care

Pauline Bartolone — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:54:00 +0000

Most counties in California have a shortage of primary care doctors. And with millions more people in the state expected to get health coverage next year, lawmakers are proposing ways to make sure basic care is available in areas that need it. One bill would allow nurse practitioners to treat patients without consulting a physician. Health care reporter Pauline Bartolone reports on what it might mean for patients.

Some nurse practitioners in California already see patients without a doctor in the room. Patients like Anastacia Casperson.

On Valley Edition: Medical Interpreters; Clinics; Makers Faire; High-Speed Rail

Juanita Stevenson, Rebecca Plevin and Ezra Romero — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:35:23 +0000

This week on Valley Edition we take a look across the region at health issues, innovation, the future of high-speed rail in California and more.

Valley's Need For Medical Interpreters Could Increase With Health Law

Rebecca Plevin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:07:15 +0000

When Mailu Lor translates for a Hmong patient, she can’t just repeat the doctor’s orders, word for word. That’s because the Hmong language often doesn’t contain advanced medical terminology, or names for diseases, like diabetes.

“Hmong language is a very difficult language,” Lor said. “We don’t have any dictionary for medical terminology.”

Soda Tax Proposal In Front of California Lawmakers This Week

Pauline Bartolone — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:26:27 +0000

A bill that would impose a tax on soda in California goes before lawmakers in Sacramento this week. Health care reporter Pauline Bartolone says a similar measure failed last session.

The state-wide law would tax sugary drinks such as sodas, energy drinks and sweet teas one cent per fluid ounce. Democratic Senator Bill Monning says something must be done to curb alarming rates of obesity and preventable diabetes.

California Builds Clinics Under Federal Health Law, But Hiring Doctors May Be A Challenge

Pauline Bartolone — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:53:18 +0000

Starting next year, millions of people will gain new health coverage under the federal health law. In California, dozens of clinics are gearing up for the expansion, with new funding to build clinics and expand old ones. But as Pauline Bartolone reports from Sacramento, it may be a challenge to find the physicians to staff the new centers.