Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

East County Magazine

Edit Template

Advancing Healthy Communities: Building resilience in the backcountry

Community Unites to Reimagine Campo’s School Field By David Shorey, Institute for Public Strategies Photo:  Campo Elementary field (photo courtesy of Estrada Land Planning) December 17, 2025 (Campo) — In the Mountain Empire, where long bus rides, rugged terrain, and rising temperatures shape daily life, a new effort is underway to protect community health and strengthen resilience against extreme heat. A partnership led

Read More ...

Donating blood in March could save YOUR life, too

East County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (San Diego County) — The American Red Cross is turning a routine blood donation into a lifesaving health diagnostic in March. Amid a severe national blood shortage which saw supply levels plummet by 35% in early 2026 due to winter blizzards and a heavy flu season the organization is offering a dual incentive:

Read More ...

Cognitive decline disproportionately affects Black Americans–why this is happening and how you can help

By Kristen Romea, LCSW, Director of Supportive Services, and leaders of the Encanto 4th Thursday Caregivers Support Group: Linda Cochran-Johnson, Naomi Rogers-Bea, and Roberta Stokes   Photo courtesy Alzheimer’s San Diego   February 18, 2026 (San Diego) — Black History Month is a time to celebrate the culture and contributions of Black Americans. However, these celebrations are also an opportunity to examine the disparities many Black

Read More ...

With measles at Disneyland and LAX, San Diego County urges residents to update vaccines: some adults may need boosters

By Miriam Raftery Photo: Child with measles, via CDC (public domain) February 7, 2026 (San Diego) – Measles, declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, has made a comeback, with 2,267 cases last year—nearly all in unvaccinated people. So far this year, 588 cases are confirmed so far—including Los Angeles County. An international traveler with measles visited crowded venues including

Read More ...

Trump administration’s new version of food pyramid draws criticism from health experts on fats and alcohol, praise for advice to “eat real foods” and avoid processed products

By G. A. McNeeley February 6, 2026 (Washington D.C.) — Health and Human Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month announced new dietary guidelines for Americans that are focused on promoting whole foods, proteins and healthy fats, according to NPR.  Health and nutrition experts have praised portions of the new guidelines, but sharply criticized other changes as lacking a scientific basis.

Read More ...

Search by Specific Date

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

HEALTH RESOURCES

For emergencies, call 911

Hospitals in East County/San Diego inland

Sharp Grossmont Hospital (La Mesa)

UC San Diego Health, East Campus (SDSU College area)

(Formerly Alvarado Hospital)

Kaiser Permanente (Mission Gorge/Grantville)

Palomar Medical Center Escondido

Palomar Medical Center Poway

Mental health and crisis help

National Suicide and Crisis Hotline:  Call 988

San Diego County Access and Crisis Hotline  1-888-724-7240

It’s Up to Us: County’s mental healthcare site  https://up2sd.org/topics/mental-health

County’s mental health and addiction recovery site

Native American healthcare

Southern Indian Health Council (5 East County sites)

Health information

California Dept. of Public Health

Vaccine access in California

San Diego County Public Health Clinics

San Diego County Public Health Services

County’s Aging and Independent Services

Grossmont Healthcare District’s Health and Wellness Library

Covered California (Affordable Care Act health insurance)

Medicare

Food and drug recalls and safety alerts: U.S. FDA

World Health Organization

American Academy of Pediatrics

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

American Cancer Society

American Heart Association

Health and Fitness News

Advancing Healthy Communities: Building resilience in the backcountry

Community Unites to Reimagine Campo’s School Field By David Shorey, Institute for Public Strategies Photo:  Campo Elementary field (photo courtesy of Estrada Land Planning) December 17, 2025 (Campo) — In the Mountain Empire, where long bus rides, rugged terrain, and rising temperatures shape daily life, a new effort is underway to protect community health and strengthen resilience against extreme heat. A partnership led

Read More ...

Donating blood in March could save YOUR life, too

East County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (San Diego County) — The American Red Cross is turning a routine blood donation into a lifesaving health diagnostic in March. Amid a severe national blood shortage which saw supply levels plummet by 35% in early 2026 due to winter blizzards and a heavy flu season the organization is offering a dual incentive:

Read More ...

Cognitive decline disproportionately affects Black Americans–why this is happening and how you can help

By Kristen Romea, LCSW, Director of Supportive Services, and leaders of the Encanto 4th Thursday Caregivers Support Group: Linda Cochran-Johnson, Naomi Rogers-Bea, and Roberta Stokes   Photo courtesy Alzheimer’s San Diego   February 18, 2026 (San Diego) — Black History Month is a time to celebrate the culture and contributions of Black Americans. However, these celebrations are also an opportunity to examine the disparities many Black

Read More ...

With measles at Disneyland and LAX, San Diego County urges residents to update vaccines: some adults may need boosters

By Miriam Raftery Photo: Child with measles, via CDC (public domain) February 7, 2026 (San Diego) – Measles, declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, has made a comeback, with 2,267 cases last year—nearly all in unvaccinated people. So far this year, 588 cases are confirmed so far—including Los Angeles County. An international traveler with measles visited crowded venues including

Read More ...

Trump administration’s new version of food pyramid draws criticism from health experts on fats and alcohol, praise for advice to “eat real foods” and avoid processed products

By G. A. McNeeley February 6, 2026 (Washington D.C.) — Health and Human Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month announced new dietary guidelines for Americans that are focused on promoting whole foods, proteins and healthy fats, according to NPR.  Health and nutrition experts have praised portions of the new guidelines, but sharply criticized other changes as lacking a scientific basis.

Read More ...

Search by Specific Date

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

HEALTH RESOURCES

For emergencies, call 911

Hospitals in East County/San Diego inland

Sharp Grossmont Hospital (La Mesa)

UC San Diego Health, East Campus (SDSU College area)

(Formerly Alvarado Hospital)

Kaiser Permanente (Mission Gorge/Grantville)

Palomar Medical Center Escondido

Palomar Medical Center Poway

Mental health and crisis help

National Suicide and Crisis Hotline:  Call 988

San Diego County Access and Crisis Hotline  1-888-724-7240

It’s Up to Us: County’s mental healthcare site  https://up2sd.org/topics/mental-health

County’s mental health and addiction recovery site

Native American healthcare

Southern Indian Health Council (5 East County sites)

Health information

California Dept. of Public Health

Vaccine access in California

San Diego County Public Health Clinics

San Diego County Public Health Services

County’s Aging and Independent Services

Grossmont Healthcare District’s Health and Wellness Library

Covered California (Affordable Care Act health insurance)

Medicare

Food and drug recalls and safety alerts: U.S. FDA

World Health Organization

American Academy of Pediatrics

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

American Cancer Society

American Heart Association