September 17, 2011 (La Mesa)--Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa will host a free seniors discussion on “Electronic Medical Records and Personal Health Records,” featuring a presentation from Julie McCoy, program manager of clinical informatics at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, and Kathy Quinn, library director, from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

September 16, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – If you have taken any of the following brands of birth control pills manufactured by Qualitest Pharamaceuticals, you are advised to switch to another, non-hormonal form of birth control immediately and talk to your doctor or pharmacist: Cyclafem, Emoquette, Gildess, Osrythia, Previfem, and Tri-Previfem.

September 16, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Grossmont Healthcare District and the City of La Mesa will host the 10th annual Kids Care Fest on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free family event features free health care screenings at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa.

September 10, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – We have received several inquiries from readers seeking more details on procedures to follow to stay safe during boil-water advisories issued for several communities.  The following advice is offered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

This link has details for consumers as well as links for medical professionals and more:  http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/health_professionals/bwa/index.html . Below is the information for consumers including how long to boil water,  special instructions for children and those with immune-compromised health, and directions on how to flush pipes and appliances after the boil water order is lifted. 

Boil waters are in effect locally through Sunday at the following locations due to pump failures during the blackout:

September 4, 2011 (La Mesa) -- The Grossmont Healthcare District and the City of La Mesa have jointly announced that Saturday, Sept. 24 will be the date for the 2011 Kids Care Fest, a free family event featuring free health care screenings at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on that day. It will be the 10th annual Kids Care Fest event. The public is invited to attend.

August 30, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – GRIGRI 2 belaying devices used by rock-climbers to control safety ropes have been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer Petzl, along with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Excessive force on the handle can cause it to become stuck in the open position, disabling the assisted braking function and posing a fall hazard to climbers.

 August 20, 2011 (La Mesa) --Sharp Healthcare announces two programs for seniors.

PROJECT C.A.R.E. OFFERS HELP FOR SENIORS:  Do you live alone? Concerned about someone living alone? Project C.A.R.E. can provide a daily computerized telephone call, Vial of Life, friendly visitor and more. Call the Sharp Grossmont Hospital Senior Resource Center at 619-740-4214 for details.

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.

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.

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 (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.

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.