August 3, 2011 (San Diego)—Ground turkey has been linked to 77 cases of salmonella nationwide, including six in California and at least one in San Diego, California’s Department of Public Health confirms.  One person has died in San Franciso from the contaminated meat.

July 30, 2011 (Washington D.C.)—The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with Bravo Sports is recalling Disney-brand Pogo sticks due to fall and laceration hazards. Bravo and CPSC have received 82 reports of the bottom tip wearing out on the pogo sticks, including five injuries. A 9-year-old girl suffered a skull fracture and chipped a tooth. Another child cut her lip and chin, requiring stitches. Other injuries include scrapes, hits to the head and teeth pushed in.

The products were sold at Burlington Coat Factory, K-mart, Kohls, Target and Toys R Us from February 2009 through June 2011 for about $20.

Whooping Cough Cases On Track To Hit 300 for Region

July 27, 2011 (San Diego)—Under a new law, middle and high school students have to show proof they’ve received a booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis( also known as whooping cough) in order to enroll in school.

There are three places where students may get the Tdap vaccine, their primary care physician, a local retail pharmacy or, if they don’t have insurance, a County public health center.

"Bionic Man"-type research aims to help wounded soldiers and repair spinal cord injuries, allowing sufferers to walk again.

July 24, 2011 (SDSU News Center)--The National Science Foundation has announced an $18.5 million grant to establish an Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering based at the University of Washington with San Diego State University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as research partners.

Covering contraception could save $14.5 billion a year; IOM also recommends coverage of preventative health exams and screenings for domestic violence, cervical cancer, HIV, STDs, gestational diabetes and more

Source: Women's Health Policy Report, published by the National Partnership for Women & Families, http://www.nationalpartnership.org/report  

July 20, 2011 (Women’s Health Partnership)— July 20, 2011 — U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) should require that new health plans cover all FDA-approved contraception without cost-sharing by consumers under the federal health reform law, an Institute of Medicine panel said in guidelines issued on Tuesday, Politico reports.

July 20, 2011 (San Diego)-- Council Member Marti Emerald is partnering with Rural/Metro Ambulance, the city of San Diego’s ambulance provider, to launch Neighborhood Beat, a city-wide community CPR training program. 

Emerald announced the program after San Diego Medical Director Dr. James Dunford made a presentation at a recent Public Safety and Neighborhood Services (PS&NS) committee meeting about “hot spots” in the city of San Diego where bystanders were not performing CPR on cardiac arrest patients.

July 20, 2011 (La Mesa)--Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Senior Resource Center offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Center also provides health information and community resources.

August's offerings include courses in stress management, Medicare basics and caregiving.  You can also get free blood pressure screenings and learn about Project CARE to assist for seniors who live alone.

A child can drown in just two inches of water, experts warn 

July 20, 2011 (El Cajon) -- “In the past two weeks, there have been two drownings in our City, both involving children 2 years of age and under,” said Monica Zech, spokesperson for El Cajon. “There have been a total of five drownings in the County this year.”

El Cajon Fire, Police and Recreation Department, along with Rady Children’s Hospital teamed up to offer an urgent summer reminder on water safety for parents and caregivers.  During a press conference yesterday at the Fletcher Hills Pool, experts offered the following safety tips.

July 20, 2011 (El Cajon)-- Mother Earth Alternative Health Cooperative, Inc., is attracting a steady stream of customers three weeks after opening its doors in an unincorporated area of El Cajon near Gillespie Field.

Some might say it’s high time. California voters approved medical marijuana with a ballot initiative back in 1996, but San Diego Supervisors filed suit to block implementation.

July 18, 2011 (Washington, D.C.) -- The National Restaurant Association has unveiled a new nationwide initiative that provides parents and children with a growing selection of healthful menu options when dining out. "Kids Live Well," a program the Association launched today in collaboration with Healthy Dining, highlights how restaurants can create innovative solutions to provide better-for-you menu options.

Diverse Scholars Initiative Seeks To Enhance Culturally Competent Health Care
 

July 15, 2011 (San Diego) – Nine California residents, including Erica Tiscareno of San Diego, have won scholarships from United Health Foundation’s Diverse Scholars Initiative to pursue a career in health care. 

Don't touch bats, dead or alive

Update July 20, 2011:  County Health authorities have located the boys and determined that they did not touch the bat.  Their family physician will make final determination on whether preventative treatments will be administered.  

July 16, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego Sheriff’s office seeks public help to identify three boys, 12-13 years old, who brought an ill Mexican free-tailed bat to a Petco Store in Vista on July 10. An employee contacted Project Wildlife and later, County Public Health officials tested the bat and found it positive for rabies.

Bats become more active this time of year and County Health officials urge parents in all areas of the County to instruct children never to touch a bat, dead or alive.

43 COUNTIES IN CA HAVE VOTED TO OPPOSE SMART METERS --

AND 10 HAVE BANNED THE DEVICES

July 12, 2011 (La Mesa) – The Center for Electrosmog Prevention in La Mesa along with Californians for Renweable Energy, Inc. filed a protest July 6 with the California Public Utilities commission (CPUC) against San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E).

The complaint seeks to stop expansion of  “a dangerous, large scale, radiation-emitting mesh network of wireless smart meters (automatic readers)" that have already been installed at many homes and businesses locally.

July 1, 2011 (Washington D.C.) - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. yesterday announced a voluntary recall of about 300,000 Hamilton Beach classic chrome 2-slice toasters.  The heating element in these toasters can remain energized indefinitely when an item is placed in the toaster which may ignite the contents, posing a fire hazard if the toaster is near flammable items.
 

July 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—Six rodents trapped in locations around San Diego County have tested positive for the potentially deadly hantavirus, including two deer mice from Campo.

June 30, 2011 (Spring Valley) -- The Mount Miguel Covenant Village has come to the rescue, helping to save the San Miguel Fire District's Tactical Paramedic program. The continuing budget crisis has impacted District funding for this critical program.

June 30, 2011 (San Diego County) -- On June 29th between the hours 8:30 a.m., and 10:00 a.m., the Sheriff's Bomb Disposal people held its annual fireworks disposal day. Local fire marshals, Burn Institute personnel, and news media were invited to the event. The yearly event reminds all of the dangers posed by using fireworks. In the East County area, the vegetation is especially dry. So that in addition to causing injuries from using fireworks, there is an additional danger due to the dryness of the vegetation.

 
UCSD Experts Say Many Paternal Exposures Can Affect Sperm & Lead To Infertility 

In the 52nd Congressional District represented by Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon),  a Democratic analysis estimates the plan would shift thousands of dollars in costs onto individuals --$182,000 to $287,000 per person for those ages 44-54--while sharply cutting benefits for those over age 54 and the disabled.

June 19, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – How will the bill passed in April by House Republicans’ to cut $1 trillion in Medicare costs impact people in East County and San Diego?

The plan would eliminate Medicare for those now under 55, making them use vouchers for private insurance instead. Some benefits for current Medicare beneficiaries and the disabled would be cut immediately. Seniors would pay more for prescriptions and government reimbursement to private insurers would not keep pace with the rising cost of medical care, resulting in seniors paying higher costs.  That's based on numerous independen analyses, from the Wall Street Journal to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
 

Now ranking members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have posted a breakdown by Congressional districts that shows majorl impacts on seniors and even greater cuts to those currently under 55.

By Brian Lafferty

June 19, 2011 (San Diego) – I was at a movie theater recently when a friend of the projectionist asked me if I knew any jokes. I leafed through the “books” of my mental library trying to find one but I couldn’t. I was content to let him rattle off a series of jokes and listen. Later that day I remembered a few jokes that I found funny. But even then I wouldn’t have told them.

June 15, 2011 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. 

Classes available on June 23rd, June 28th, and Blood pressure screening on June 17th. See information below.

June 15, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Senior Resource Center offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Senior Resource Center also provides information and assistance for health information and community resources. For more information, call 619-740-4214. For other programs, call 1-800-827-4277 or visit the web site at www.sharp.com  

 June 12, 2011 (La Mesa) James Hartwell's big wish when he started physical therapy at the Challenge Center in La Mesa was to walk across the stage to be handed his diploma at his high school graduation at Mt. Carmel High School. For most seniors, this would be a done deal.  But for Hartwell, who suffered a spinal cord injury in a motocross accident, and had to spen most of the last two years in a wheelchair, it seemed it might take a miracle.

 Luckily, he found that miracle in a little white building in La Mesa that holds the Challenege Center.

June 10, 2011 (La Mesa) --The City of La Mesa will host its second annual Transportation and Mobility Expo for older adults and persons with disabilities on Wednesday, June 15, 2011.  Supported by funding from SANDAG, the Expo will be held at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa 91942 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  

June 8, 2011 (La Mesa)--East County’s largest annual free health fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, at the Grossmont Center mall in La Mesa, near the movie theaters.

The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, organizer of the event, expects over 75 exhibit booths will feature health screenings for stroke, blood pressure and blood glucose/diabetes, as well as the latest information on health-related techniques and products.