East County News Service

February 22, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting-edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• One Out of Four American Adults Have Suffered Hearing Loss (KPBS)
• Cancer genes hide outside chromosomes (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Autism detectable in brain long before symptoms appear (BBC)
• The Next Pandemic Could Be Dripping On Your Head (NPR)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• Pollinating drones may give honeybees a hand (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• As 200 More Whales Are Stranded in New Zealand, Heroics Turn to Heartbreak (NPR)
• Don't Call It Wheat: An Environmentally Friendly Grain Takes Root (NPR)
• Researchers discover 60 new planets: Could you help find the next? (CS Monitor)
• To Help Curb Coral Reef Destruction, Hawaii Wants to Ban Chemical Sunscreens (CS Monitor)
• Microbes wake up from 10,000-year nap in cave crystals (CS Monitor)
• Unearthed essay on alien life reveals Churchill the scientist  (Reuters)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

February 22, 2017 (San Diego) — San Diego Republican Congressman Darrell Issa on Tuesday announced that he has released a “discussion draft” of his bill to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a new plan.  Issa’s “The Access to Insurance for All Americans Act” would give all Americans access to buy in to same insurance plans provided to federal employees and their families—but not at the heavily discounted rates provided to federal workers.

By Michael Price, San Diego State News Center

Photo: Sam Kassegne, deputy director for the CSNE at SDSU, and colleagues developed electrodes made out of glassy carbon. (Credit: Sam Kassegne) 

February 20, 2017 (San Diego) - When people suffer spinal cord injuries and lose mobility in their limbs, it’s a neural signal processing problem. The brain can still send clear electrical impulses and the limbs can still receive them, but the signal gets lost in the damaged spinal cord.

East County News Service

February 17, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free program on “Coloring for Stress Relief” from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22. The program is part of the library’s “Wellness Wednesday” series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. Advance RSVP is not necessary. Handouts will be available.

East County News Service

February 15, 2017 (Spring Valley) - You’re invited to Spring Into Healthy Living on March 15^th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the McGrath Family YMCA (12006 Campo Road) in Spring Valley. The (free) health and wellness fair for seniors will include free health screenings, speakers and information on how to avoid scams, driver safety and fire safety, and more.

East County News Service

February 13, 2017 (Lakeside) - With Zika and West Nile Virus in the news, now is a perfect time to get educated.  San Diego County Vector Control's Michelle Christina will lend her expertise on these fascinating insects and how to live with them at a free program hosted by the Lakeside River Park Conservancy (12108 Industry Rd., Lakeside) on Saturday, Feb. 25^th at 10 a.m.

East County News Service

February 13, 2017 (San Diego) – The County of San Diego will present “Love Your Heart Day,” a crucial first step towards preventing heart disease, on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14. 

East County News Service

February 11, 2017 (Jamul) - The San Diego Blood Bank will accept blood donations at Hollywood Casino ‑ Jamul on Friday, February 17, 2017 from  1:30 pm ‑  7 pm.  The drive will be held at  14145 Campo Road, Jamul, in Training Rooms 1 & 2

By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2017 (Santee) – Mountain Health celebrates the grand opening of Santee Family Medicine, the organization’s 5^th health center location, on February 11^th at 120 Town Center Parkway in Santee. There will be an open house and guided tours, free blood pressure screenings, help with Medi-Cal and Covered California, dental information, vendors, speakers and a blood drive.

By Patricia Brower, San Diego

February 8, 2017 (San Diego) - I am reaching out to you today on behalf of the millions of patients with celiac disease, non-celiac wheat/gluten sensitivity, and other autoimmune diseases. I am deeply concerned about the possible removal of key protections in current law that guarantee access to comprehensive and affordable insurance coverage for patients with pre-existing health conditions. As Congress begins work to replace the Affordable Care Act, we are encouraged by the recognition that affordable protection for patients should be retained.  

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (East County) –  The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) has awarded a $10,000 grant to License to Freedom, an El Cajon-based nonprofit that assists Middle Eastern refugees and immigrants with cultural assimilation and health education.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

February 6, 2017 (San Diego) -- Did you know there are over 2 million heart attacks and strokes each year resulting in 800,000 deaths and even more depilating injuries?

Valentine’s Day is coming up, so besides the chocolate and flowers, consider the best gift you can give someone this year is a commitment to a healthy heart! This is a great gift to give (and receive) to any loved ones in your life. I promise, they want YOU more than candy or flowers!

Planning Commission meeting Feb. 10  to draft changes to zoning ordinance; next Supervisor hearing is Feb. 14 with final vote March 15

By Thea Skinner

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors moved on  Jan. 25th to have staff draft a ban prohibiting medical and non-medical marijuana facilities in unincorporated areas by April 15.  Existing and previously approved medical marijuana dispensaries would be phased out and shut down after five years.

A draft to repeal and replace the zoning ordinance regulating marijuana facilities will be on the Planning Commission agenda Feb. 10 at 9 a.m. in the County Operations Center Campus Chamber (5520 Overland Ave, San Diego. See map).  View the Planning Commission report.

The packed room gathered 31 individuals wishing to speak, 12 in favor and 19 in opposition, with two requests for group presentations. Eleven individuals registered their opinion with two in favor and nine in opposition.

Honor recognizes comprehensive care to treat heart disease, nation's leading cause of death for women

East County News Service

February 1, 2017 (La Mesa) - Sharp Grossmont Hospital has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care by the Women’s Choice Award^®, a nationwide referral source that identifies the country’s best health care institutions based on clinical criteria and surveys. The award signifies that Sharp Grossmont Hospital is in the top 9 percent of 4,789 U.S. hospitals offering heart care services.

East County News Service

January 30, 2017 (San Diego) – Champions for Health, a local nonprofit formerly known as the San Diego County Medical Society Foundation, has announced it has entered into a collaboration with YMCA of San Diego County for the launch of “Jump Start for Health,” a new type 2 diabetes prevention program throughout San Diego County.