March 21, 2010 (San Diego) --The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has been awarded $16 million from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to promote physical activity and healthy eating.

March 12, 2010 (Washington D.C.) -- Yesterday the U.S. Food & Drug administration listed 153 food items subject to  recall for hydrolyzed vegetable protein believed contaminated with salmonella.   The list includes boullion, dressing and dressing mixes, flavoring base and seasoning products, frozen foods, gravy mixes, prepared salads, ready-to-eat products,sauce and marinade mixes, snack foods, soups and soup mixes, dips and dip mixes.

March 2, 2010 (Lemon Grove)--Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) held a grand opening ribbon-cutting celebration last week for the Lemon Grove Family Health Center, which was funded by a $1.3 million federal stimulus grant.

The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directors has unanimously voted to approve a $100,000 grant to Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) to help cover expenses for X-ray and ultrasound tests, as well as diagnostic lab fees and medical supplies, for uninsured East County residents who are treated at an El Cajon clinic by retired physicians and nurses who donate their time.

39% Rate Hike by Anthem-Blue Cross Persuaded CA Senator that Consumers need Choice of a Public Plan
 

Updated February 19, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) has joined with 16 other Senators to urge that Majority Leader Harry Reid pass a public option for health insurance using reconciliation, a parliamentary procedure that allows a simple up-or-down vote with a majority of 51 Senators.

January 29, 2010 (Mt. Helix) – Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat, founder of Angels For Haiti and Health Through Communications, was among the first to bring food and water to quake victims. Now she has teamed up with other local doctors to obtain thousands of dollars in donated orthopedic supplies. They seek additional supplies--and money to pay shipping costs.

January 28, 2010 (La Mesa) – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has fined three local hospitals (Grossmont Hospital, UC San Diego Medical Center, and Sharp Memorial Hospital in Kearny Mesa) $50,000 each for mistakes that could cause serious injury or death to patients. In East County, Grossmont Hospital was penalized for performing brain surgery on the wrong side of a 93-year-old patient’s brain.

January 14, 2010 (El Cajon) - The County will have H1N1 flu shots available Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas Ave. in El Cajon. The event is one in a series of mass vaccination clinics, including an event last weekend at Qualcomm Stadium where 5,000 people received the vaccines.  Vaccines are available to everyone.

January 6, 2010 (San Diego County) - The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) announces a series of five H1N1 mass vaccination events for San Diego County residents, beginning with a clinic this Friday at Qualcomm Stadium.  A clinic will be held in El Cajon on the 15th at the Ronald Reagan Community Center.  Several additional clinics are planned; scroll down for details.
The H1N1 vaccine is now available to everyone, regardless of age.

“We would like to remind County residents that H1N1 is still very active in our communities,” said Dianne Jacob, Chairwoman, San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Are you facing a health issue and want reliable, up-to-date medical information?

Feb. 1 – People who suffer with knee arthritis, stiffness and pain have new options for knee surgery that result in less pain and faster recovery than traditional knee replacement. At this seminar, learn about new, less-invasive procedures.

December 25, 2009 (Spring Valley) – Eddie Arredondo enjoyed Christmas at his brother’s home in Spring Valley thanks to a holiday goodwill project from American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance service. Arredondo, who suffers decreased mobility and muscle contractures, resides and receives care at Windsor Gardens Golden Hills.

“Anyone who has been away from home during the holiday season knows the longing that comes with missing that special time with family,” said Travis Kusman, operations manager for AMR San Diego. “AMR’s paramedics and EMTs look forward to this project every year. Our caregivers often build personal relationships with nursing homes and their residents, and ‘Home for the Holiday’ let’s our dispatchers and crews interact with the nursing home staffs, their residents and families in a warm light.”

December 18, 2009 (San Diego) - Five area students have been diagnosed with pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is reporting. HHSA is working closely with school staff to notify the parents of all students at the schools, including three schools east of I-15.

The students are:

By Miriam Raftery

December 15, 2009 (San Diego) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a voluntary recall of 800,000 doses of H1N1 flu vaccine in pre-filled syringes for children ages 6 to 36 months. Testing by manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur found reduced potency in four lots distributed nationwide, including 3,100 doses distributed in San Diego County.