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County Health and Human Services Agency Hosts 2008 American Public Health Association Expo
.. ..... If you had trouble breathing during the 2007 wildfires and sought medical attention, you were among hundreds of similarly-affected residents tracked by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency’s (HHSA) Public Health Services (PHS) division.
....PHS monitored emergency room visits during the fires. The result was a snapshot of health trends that indicated the levels of respiratory conditions affecting residents, and demonstrated the effectiveness of measures such as school closures. There was a clear correlation with the data PHS monitors and the air quality data collected by the County’s Air Pollutions Control District.
....On Oct. 22, 2007, at the height of the wildfires, PHS’ surveillance revealed that hospital visits for respiratory problems increased over 110 percent as compared to pre-fire levels of hospital visits. There was no increase in visits among children, which suggests that advisories to close schools and keep children indoors worked.
....The success of this monitoring system is one of more than 20 HHSA accomplishments scheduled to be highlighted at the 2008 American Public Health Association (APHA) Meeting and Expo, Oct. 26 – 29 at the San Diego Convention Center. San Diego County is hosting the event this year. Chairman Greg Cox, County Board of Supervisors, and Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., will give opening remarks. Supervisor Ron Roberts also is scheduled to participate on a panel during the event.
....“We’re delighted to host this year’s meeting, which brings together public health professionals from around the nation to share best practices,” said Chairman Cox. “The County programs spotlighted at this meeting are great examples of the many innovative programs that our Health and Human Services staff conducts every year.”
....“At this year’s APHA meeting, participants will get a good look at the studies conducted by various components of public health, including Community Epidemiology, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health Nursing, Tuberculosis Control, Immunizations and more,” said Nick Macchione, Director, HHSA. “We’re dedicated to serving the public efficiently and effectively.”
....“Our staff works hard on programs that improve the quality of life of San Diego County residents,” said Dr. Wooten. “It’s what they do every day, with extraordinary results.”
Supervisor Roberts will join state and local experts during a panel discussion on water fluoridation and its effect on dental health in San Diego and California.
....Other presentations include:
HHSA’s Emergency Medical Services Division staff will show how the County developed a comprehensive response plan to find and assist vulnerable populations during a disaster. A database created as part of the plan facilitated the safe evacuation of more than 2,100 individuals from skilled nursing facilities and hospitals.
....County Immunization experts will present information on surveillance and outbreak response activities conducted during the February 2008 Measles outbreak in San Diego County.
TB Case Reported at Southwestern College at National City Campus
.....HHSA Working with School Officials to Identify Those Who May Have Been Exposed
.....The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is working with Southwestern College officials to notify students and faculty who were possibly exposed to tuberculosis (TB).
.....An individual who was in two classes at Southwestern College’s Higher Education Center at National City campus has been diagnosed with TB. The individual attended classes during the summer and fall 2008.
.....“Anyone who may have been exposed should contact their healthcare provider and ask about getting tested,” says Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer. “This action will help us stop the spread of TB in our community.”
HHSA’s TB Control, working closely with school officials, has identified approximately 75 students and faculty at the Higher Education Center at National City who may have been exposed. Southwestern College has sent notification letters to the affected individuals.
.....Tuberculosis is not uncommon in the San Diego region. In 2007, there were 280 total cases of tuberculosis in San Diego County. In 2008 to date, there have been 155 cases of TB.
.....Symptoms of active TB include persistent cough, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss. Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease.
.....Southwestern College students who may have been exposed may be tested at no cost at Student Health Services on the Chula Vista, National City and Otay Mesa locations. For questions regarding testing, please call Student Health Services at (619) 482-6354.
.....Individuals with no medical provider, or anyone who would like more information, may call the County TB Control Program at (619) 692-8621.
West Nile Virus Human Cases Rise to Eighteen
and Bird Cases to 425
.......The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), and the County  Department of Environmental Health Vector Control report four new confirmed locally-acquired human cases of West Nile virus (WNV), 14 dead birds, three positive sentinel chickens, and six positive batches of mosquitoes. The reporting period is from Sept. 15 to Sept. 21, 2008.
Cases include:
....• 49-year-old Ramona woman diagnosed with encephalitis
....• 76-year-old University City man diagnosed with meningitis
....• 14-year-old Carmel Valley boy diagnosed with West Nile fever
....• 3-year-old Tierrasanta boy diagnosed with meningitis
The 49-year-old and 76-year-old were hospitalized and discharged, and are improving. The 14-year-old and 3-year-old were not hospitalized, and are improving.
The sentinel chickens, mosquitoes and dead birds including 11 American crows, two Western Scrub Jays and one Western Screech Owl were found in Alpine, Bay Park, Bonita, Carlsbad, Carmel Valley, Clairemont, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, Julian, Lakeside, Mira Mesa, Oceanside, Ramona, Sorrento Valley, Tijuana River Valley and the UTC area.....more
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs State Budget
.......Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the 2008-09 state budget, concluding a very  difficult budget year and delivering a real win for Californians with a proposal to achieve meaningful budget reform. It addresses California's $15.2 billion budget shortfall with a combination of cuts and increased revenues. It fully funds education's Proposition 98 guarantee and does not borrow funding from voter-approved local government or transportation funds. The historic budget reform package includes a strong rainy-day fund aimed at helping smooth out the unpredictable highs and lows in revenues that plague our state and create massive deficits.
...."While California is certain to face a difficult budget situation again next year, this budget does not take money out of people's paychecks or borrow from voter-approved local government or transportation funds, and it includes real budget reform with teeth," Governor Schwarzenegger said. "These budget reforms, when approved by voters, will finally put California's budget on a path toward long-term fiscal stability."
...."Now that we have a budget, hospitals and nursing homes and daycare centers and other services will be able to get paid. Schools can also get the money that they have been promised and California can fulfill its obligations in all those different areas. " More
The American Public Health Association Praises House and Senate for Passing Critical Mental Health Legislation
.....The American Public Health Association (APHA) praises congressional passage of legislation that will require health insurers to provide the same level of coverage for mental illness and substance abuse as they do for physical illness.
.....“This long-overdue legislation will not only benefit the millions suffering from mental illness and addiction by making it easier for them to access care, but will also make great strides in reducing the stigma and discrimination they experience,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of APHA. “We urge members of the House and Senate to work quickly to send a bill to the president before they adjourn for the year.”
.....According the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in four adults in the United States suffers from a mental health disorder in a given year. Those attempting to seek care are often unable to do so due to the higher co-payments and stricter limits on mental health benefits put in place by most insurers. The new legislation eliminates these obstacles and will make it easier for millions of people to seek the care they need.
.....The legislation came in the form of two separate bills, with the House passing a stand-alone mental health parity bill and the Senate passing it as part of the tax extenders bill. APHA urges the two chambers to work together to reach agreement on the final outstanding issue of how to offset the new costs.
.....Source:The American Public Health Association.
Good news for millions of American seniors:
Medicare's Monthly Premium Won't Rise in 2009
......CMS announced today that the 2009 Medicare Part B premium will remain at  $96.40/month. This is the first year since 2000 that the Part B premium has not increased. Part B covers the cost of physicians' services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and other items. 2009 is also the first year that people with income above $85,000 will have to pay the full premium increase.
.......In 2009, the Part B deductible will be $135, the same as it was in 2008. The Part B deductible is tied to the percentage increase in the Part B premium. Since there was no Part B premium increase, the Part B deductible rate remains the same as well.
.......The Part A deductible has increased to $1,068 in 2009. This is an increase of $44 (from $1,024 in 2008). Part A is responsible for inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, and certain home health care services. The Part A deductible is the only cost for beneficiaries for up to 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period. .....There is an additional cost for days 61-90 ($267/day). After 90 days, people will be required to pay $534/day. More
Three Whooping Cough Cases Reported to County
.....Vaccines Urged for Children and Adults. The County of San Diego Health and Human  Services Agency (HHSA) has confirmed two cases of pertussis or whooping cough, a highly contagious disease that causes severe coughing. The children had not been immunized against the disease, possibly exposing children and adults at two camps in San Diego County.
“It extremely important for parents to ensure that they and their children are protected against vaccine preventable diseases,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., County Deputy Public Health Officer. “Whooping cough is a concern because it can be passed to infants, who are at highest risk of complications and too young to be fully vaccinated with pertussis vaccine.”
.....The third case is a 14-year-old student at Poway High School has whooping cough (pertussis), a highly contagious disease that causes severe coughing. The student had not been immunized against the disease.
.....“It’s extremely important for parents to ensure that they and their children are protected against vaccine preventable diseases including whooping cough,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., County Public Health Officer. “Whooping cough can lead to complications in infants. .....Teenagers and adults should have the Tdap booster, which can prevent whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus, as immunity to whooping cough can diminish over time.”
Poway High School is working closely with HHSA and has notified parents through letters and e-mails about the possibility of exposure to whooping cough.
.....Named for the "whoop" sound victims may make during or after a severe coughing spell, whooping cough usually starts with flu-like symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, fever, and a mild cough. Symptoms can last up to two weeks and may be followed by severe coughing fits and vomiting. Whooping cough can occur at any age, but infants and young children are at highest risk of life threatening complications, such as pneumonia, brain damage, and death. Individuals with symptoms of whooping cough should call their health care provider.
.....The incubation period is commonly 7–10 days, with a range of 4–21 days. It is recommended that children get five doses of DTaP vaccine, one dose at 2 mo., 4 mo., 6 mo., 15-18 mo., and 4-6 years of age. It is also recommended that people 11- 64 years of age receive a single dose of Tdap, given in place of a “tetanus booster” (Td).
.....In 2007, there were 50 cases of whooping cough reported in the county. There have been 29 cases of whooping cough in San Diego County to date this year, including this case. For more information about whooping cough, please call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (619) 692-8661, or visit the Web site at www.sdiz.org.
Bicyclist with chronic lung disease is spurring us all to do more to fight lung disease
.......Embarcadero Marina Park South on San Diego's waterfront was a nice place to meet Mark Junge this morning. He's the bicyclist with chronic lung disease, a smart and plain-talking guy with bright brown eyes who laughs about two hip replacements and plenty of other medical challenges, not the least of which is his need for oxygen. Lucky for Mark, there's the SeQual Technologies "Eclipse" oxygen concentrator. It's a portable battery-powered unit that strips the nitrogen out of the ambient air and feeds the resulting almost-pure oxygen straight to the canula that Mark wears while biking...more
Alcohol and Drug Screenings at Hospital Help Reduce Sustance Abuse
.....Officials from the County of San Diego and the County’s Health and Human Services  Agency (HHSA) announced today that voluntary alcohol and drug screenings at local hospitals and healthcare centers are helping reduce substance abuse in the region.
....“This is a cutting-edge program that is helping reduce the economic and health impact of substance use in our communities. Today, I am happy to announce some very impressive results,” said County Board of Supervisors Vice-Chairwoman Dianne Jacob during a news conference outside of the County Administration Center. She was joined by Nick Macchione, Director of HHSA; Dr. Shane Hamman, Chief Resident, UCSD Department of Emergency Medicine; health educators and other healthcare representatives...more
County Helps Low-income Families Open Bank Accounts
.....The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has received a $25,000 grant from the state to strengthen a program that connects low-income families to affordable banking at local financial institutions. The grant money will be used to follow up with families to help them manage the accounts successfully.
.....“This grant will help us remove obstacles that keep families from achieving self-sufficiency,” said Chairman Greg Cox of the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors. “We want to help low-income families make good use of their income, especially in these difficult economic times.”
.....The goal is to provide new bank accounts for 362 low-income, working families in San Diego County by June 30, 2009. Qualifying participants must have an annual income at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level (about $20,600 for a family of four) and/or receive CalWORKs, federal Supplemental Security Income or other public assistance programs.
....“Lack of knowledge and access to traditional banking institutions are major factors that keep working families from reaching economic independence,” said Nick Macchione, Director of HHSA. “This grant will help low-income families save some of their hard-earned dollars by banking at mainstream institutions, which tend to charge less for their services.”
HHSA was one of 17 agencies in California to receive a share of the $425,000 Asset Building grants from the California Department of Community Services and Development.
California is Nation-Leading Promoting Health and Nutrition
.....Schwarzenegger Signs Trans Fat Bill. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger takes big step  toward creating a healthier future for California signed a legislation to prohibit restaurants from preparing food with trans fats, which clog arteries and raise the risk of heart disease.
....."California is a leader in promoting health and nutrition, and I am pleased to continue that tradition by being the first state in the nation to phase out trans fats," said Schwarzenegger.
"Consuming trans fat is linked to coronary heart disease, and today we are taking a strong step toward creating a healthier future for California," he added.
.....The American Heart Association applauds Gov. Schwarzenegger’s signing of AB 97 into law and the Assemblyman Tony Mendoza’s who bold action in authoring a bill that makes California the first state in the nation to ban trans fats in restaurants and who refered the bill's signing "A call to action". This trans-free law, will impact the health of all Californians, reducing healthcare costs and saving lives...more
Beat the Heat visiting a “Cool Zone”
...The Cool Zones program has begun with the start of summer. Having air-conditioned  settings where seniors and others can congregate to beat the heat reduces individual energy costs and protects their health. Supervisor Dianne Jacob is the creator of the Cool Zone program. Aging &  Independence Services partners with SDG&E to coordinate the Cool Zones, which are sites where older adults and others can go during hot summer days to avoid being affected by the heat. Cool Zone sites include libraries, senior centers, malls, and more. Cool Zones are also great places to meet people.The program also provides free electric fans to homebound, low-income seniors. The program is always interested in adding more Cool Zone sites. For more information, call (800) 510-2020....more
DA Charges San Diego Police Officer in Connection With Death of Police Dog
.....San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis said today her office is filing a charge against a San Diego Police Officer who left a police dog in the back of his patrol car, leading to the dog’s death from heatstroke. Officer Paul Hubka is charged with one misdemeanor count of leaving a dog in a closed car in a high temperature, causing death.
....“I understand and share the strong emotional reaction to Forrest’s death, however, it’s the only appropriate charge for these facts,” District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis said. “The law requires the District Attorney’s Office to step back from the emotion and follow the law.”
An investigation by the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services found that Officer Hubka left a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois named Forrest in his police cruiser with the windows rolled up. The incident ....more
Fourth Ground Squirrel Tests Positive for Plague
...Blood samples collected from another ground squirrel at the Doane Valley Campground on Palomar Mountain have tested positive for plague, County Vector Control officials announced today.
.....“This is the fourth squirrel that has tested positive for plague in this park this year. Campers should avoid contact with squirrels and their fleas,” said Gary Erbeck, Director of the Department of Environmental Health.
.....“You should not put your tents near squirrel burrows, do not feed the squirrels and warn your children not to play with the squirrels.”
Plague is a bacterial disease....more
District Attorney Investigator Injured During Surveillance Operation
.....A San Diego County District Attorney Investigator (DAI) was injured today during an operation being conducted by the Fugitive Task Force in the East County. The DAI accidentally discharged her weapon, causing a non-life threatening injury to her leg. The investigator was taken to the hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported. The incident is being investigated through the District Attorney’s Internal Affairs. No further details are available.
.....The DA’s Bureau of Investigation is comprised of approximately 170 personnel, including 130 District Attorney Investigators. Their law enforcement authority comes from the same section of the penal code, 830.1, as a deputy sheriff or city police officer. DAI’s have completed the basic POST academy and are required to meet the ongoing training requirements set forth by POST....more |
