News Archive

San Francisco declared a state of emergency over rising cases of monkeypox Thursday. State health officials say they’re taking the outbreak “very seriously” and expecting thousands of vaccine doses from the federal government.

Health Care

Reformulated COVID vaccine boosters may be available earlier than expected

July 26, 2022

The Biden administration may scrap plans to let more younger adults get second COVID-19 boosters this summer. Instead, officials are trying to speed up availability of the next generation of boosters in the fall, NPR has learned.

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Health Care

Covered California insurance rates to increase

July 19, 2022

Rates in the state’s health insurance marketplace will increase an average of 6% next year. The agency also warned premiums may double for some enrollees if Congress does not renew federal aid.

Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Health Care

Health care costs keep rising. A new California agency aims to fix that

July 17, 2022

For years, consumer advocates and some legislators have been battling to rein in escalating health care costs. Now the state has created a new agency to limit future growth in health care costs — and it will have the power to enforce that mandate.

llustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

Health Care

Dial 988: State’s new mental health crisis hotline debuts

July 17, 2022

The new federal number is billed as an alternative to 911 for people experiencing mental health emergencies. A bill would allow California to fund call centers with new fees on phone lines.

Health Care

Students of color at one of Sacramento’s largest high schools share unique experiences navigating COVID

July 15, 2022 | Srishti Prabha

Franklin High School saw higher COVID transmission this past school year, and students of color — who In a normal school year overcome insurmountable odds — faced all sorts of new challenges.

Health Care

Interview: Yolo County Public Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson on the latest COVID-19 surge

July 14, 2022 | Vicki Gonzalez

While hospitalizations and cases are rising thanks to new, highly contagious variants, deaths remain low thanks to vaccines, treatments and therapeutics.

Health Care

Abortion pills will soon be available on California campuses

July 13, 2022

UC and Cal State will begin providing medication abortions Jan. 1 under a new state law, helping ease pressure on local clinics.

Health Care

Emergency contraception: How it works, how effective it is and how to get it

July 9, 2022

Emergency contraceptives and abortion pills are not the same thing, though people often confuse them. Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, it's vital to know the difference — and your options.

Race and Equity

COVID pulls down Latino, Black, Asian life expectancy more than whites, study says

July 9, 2022

Medical journal study says life expectancy for California’s Latinos fell six years, more than other populations during pandemic.

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