County Urges Residents to Take Precautions, Avoid Disease-Carrying Pests
 

April 24, 2011 (San Diego) -- Spring is in the air, which means county residents are probably dreaming about beautiful weather and outdoor activities --- not worrying about mosquitoes, rodents, West Nile virus, hantavirus, plague and tularemia.

You shouldn’t have to worry, according to San Diego County Environmental Health officials, as long as you ake simple steps to protect yourselves and your families from disease-carrying animals and insects.

Turn in Unused, Expired or Unwanted Medications

April 14, 2011 (San Diego)--The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is working with San Diego American Indian Health Center (SDAIHC) to notify patients who were possibly exposed to tuberculosis (TB) at SDAIHC’s downtown location. The period of exposure was from Oct. 1, 2010 to April 1, 2011.

Calls for bipartisan effort needed to strengthen Social Security

April 5, 2011 (Washington D.C.)—The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) today issued sharp criticism of the budget proposed by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and backed by House Republicans.

Nancy A. LeaMond, executive vice president of AARP, said the Republican proposal to reduce the deficit “lacks balance and would result in a large cost shift to current and future retirees. The Chairman’s proposal, rather than tackling skyrocketing health care costs, would simply shift these costs onto the backs of people in Medicare,” she warned. “It would undermine Medicare’s promise of secure health coverage—a guarantee that future seniors have contributed to through a lifetime of hard work.”

March 29, 2011 (La Mesa)--A volunteer citizens group that oversees how the taxpayer-supported Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is spending millions of dollars in voter-approved funds for infrastructure improvementprojects at Sharp Grossmont Hospital has issued its 2010 Annual Report to the Community.

Possible public exposure in Carmel Mountain, Rancho Bernardo and Poway areas

March 20, 2011 (San Diego)--A 27-year-old Poway male has been diagnosed with measles, according to County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) officials. The man became ill after traveling to the Philippines and Thailand.

“She is still the light of her Mom’s light…sunshine in the face of darkness.” – Facebook page posted by Katrina’s family

1.6 Million San Diegans Are Overweight or Obese

With 1.6 million people in the region tipping the scales, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) today launched a major obesity-prevention media campaign.

Passengers on the flight are urged to call their doctor before seeking treatment for symptoms so that infection-control can be implemented to prevent spread of the contagious disease.
 

February 23, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- San Miguel Fire District will add 20 Automatic External Defibrillators to its life-saving arsenal.

“The addition of the AED’s will provide critical care in a much more expedient manner,” said Leonard Villareal, spokesperson for the District. “Eighty percent San Miguel’s calls are medical aids. This additional equipment will be vital in helping to make such incidents more survivable for all members of the community.”

February 16, 2011 (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 seniors' discussion group on “The Aging Process: What is Normal, What is Not,” on Wednesday, February 23 at 11 a.m.

by Paul Downey, CEO & President, Senior Community Centers

February 10, 2011 (San Diego) - Elder abuse victims often live in silent desperation, fearing retaliation from their abusers. Many times, it takes the courage of a family member or loved one to take action and stop the abuse. The following information will help you recognize - and prevent - elder abuse:

Avoid under-cooked ground beef, USDA advises

February 6, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Ground beef products sold in restaurants throughout Southern California have been recalled due to possible e-coli contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced yesterday. Products were manufactured by American Food Services in Pico Rivera, California. The health risk is classified as high by the USDA.  The Food Safety Inspection Service and the establishment are concerned that some product may be frozen and in restaurant freezers.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

By: Jeremy Los

February 3, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- The recent mistreatment of 93-year-old Pearl Harbor veteran Max Bauer in El Cajon has left a black eye on the profession of care giving. His caregiver is accused of leaving Bauer to wallow in filth, also allegedly robbing him. His case is among hundreds of elder abuse cases documented each year in San Diego.

Baby Boomers are quickly reaching the age where they, or their parents, may need assistance with daily tasks. But how do you find a qualified and compassionate caregiver—and avoid nightmare scenarios such as Max Bauer’s?