Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Sorted by date Results 76 - 91 of 91
The infant mortality rate in San Diego County has declined in the last 16 years and is now lower than it is in the state and the nation. In 2016 – the most recent year for which data is available in San Diego County – the rate of infant deaths in the region was 3.7 deaths for every 1,000 live births, well below the Healthy People 2010 national target of 6.0. In comparison, the infant mortality rate in California was 4.5 and 5.6 in the United States. The current San Diego rat...
After three years of holding steady, the number and rate of people who killed themselves in San Diego County went up in 2017. According to the San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council’s 2018 Report to the Community released Sept. 13, there were 458 deaths by suicide last year, 27 more than in 2016. “Suicide continues to be a serious concern in our region,” said Dr. Michael Krelstein, clinical director of Behavioral Health Services for the County Health and Human Services Agency. “We must do all we can to prevent people...
In the past, public health nurses had to drive all over the county to make sure tuberculosis patients were taking their medication as indicated. Patients had to make an appointment during work hours so that nurses could watch them take their antibiotics. Now, TB patients who are no longer contagious can take their medication wherever and whenever they like, and nurses can focus on in-depth monthly visits. To observe treatment, all nurses must do is watch a video of patients...
Given the extreme heat the region will be experiencing this week, County health officials are encouraging San Diegans to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. People should especially pay close attention to children, the elderly and pets. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for San Diego County deserts, mountains and valleys that is expected to last until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 26. [Ninety degree weather is to continue through next week.] “Hot days followed by warm nights increase t...
If a friend or loved one were contemplating suicide, would you know it? If you knew it, would you know what to do? The great majority of people who die by suicide show warning signs. Knowing how to spot them and what you can do may help save a life. On average, suicide claims the life of more than one San Diegan every day. Mental health experts believe that for every suicide, six other people who were close to the victim suffer lasting emotional trauma. “Suicide can be prevented,” said Alfredo Aguirre, director of Beh...
In San Diego County, one in 10 people who are infected with HIV are not aware of it. This means that they are not getting HIV treatment to stay healthy and could infect others. County Health and Human Services Agency officials are encouraging people to get tested and to ask their doctor about getting pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP. "Every week, eight people are diagnosed with HIV or AIDS in San Diego. Everyone 18 and over should get tested, whether they think they are at...
She survived them all. Violence. Cancer. Homelessness. April found freedom after finally leaving her abusive and drug-addicted partner. The 46-year-old is cancer free after going through rigorous chemotherapy sessions and multiple surgeries. And thanks to the San Diego County's rental assistance program, April and her three children now have a permanent place to live. April, who was born in Atlanta but raised in San Diego, knew she was not in a healthy relationship. Her...
The county is looking for 1,049 chronically homeless people who frequently use emergency rooms for medical treatment, resulting in high Medi-Cal costs. These people, identified in 2016, are being sought to be a part of Whole Person Wellness, a county program that will help them find a home and give them access to behavioral and physical health services, saving millions in Medi-Cal costs. "We're looking for chronically homeless people with multiple symptoms to help them better...
Local experts announced they have expanded their efforts to prevent suicide in San Diego County. After conducting a series of community focus groups and online surveys, the San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council has revised its Suicide Prevention Action Plan to include nine strategies on how to prevent people from ending their lives. The nine strategies were announced May 30, at a news conference at the County Administration Center by representatives from the Suicide Prevention Council, Community Health Improvement...
The number of homeless people in San Diego County dropped by 6 percent from the previous year, according to the 2018 Point-in-Time Count. Conducted every year by the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, the count this past January showed that 8,576 men, women and children were living on the street or in shelters, compared to the 9,116 counted in 2017. The results, announced at a news conference May 17, are used to apply for federal funds to help local homeless people and to find solutions on how to best serve those most...
Every year, more than 1,000 college students are lost to suicide across the country. To shed light on this troubling statistic, over 1,000 backpacks will be on display at San Diego City College as part of "Send Silence Packing," a traveling exhibit representing the number of college students who end their lives. The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency's Behavioral Health Services funded the exhibit, which will be on display at three local colleges and...
With no new flu deaths being reported in the last week of April, the final Influenza Watch report for the season shows the number of fatalities remains at 341, and 20,747 flu cases have been reported, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced, May 2. Because the county monitors influenza year-round, those totals could change from now through June 30 when the 2017-2018 flu season officially ends. The ages of San Diego residents who died from influenza this season range from 1 to 101, and almost all had underlying...
The number of influenza deaths in San Diego jumped to 251 after 20 more fatalities were reported last week, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced Feb. 14. The ages of the people who have died from flu this season range from 1 to 101. Thirty-three (13 percent) of these deaths were of people under 65 years old, which are the only cases public health agencies are required to report in California. The County informs the public about all flu deaths. “Influenza activity continues to be widespread and, u...
It’s that time of the year again to get your income taxes filed, and you might be able to get them done for free. The County is once again teaming up with its local partners to help low-income families or individuals prepare their taxes at no cost. The free tax preparation will take place until April 16 at dozens of locations throughout the county. The only requirement for the free service is that filers meet income requirements. “We want people to claim their Earned Income Tax Credit and to keep more of their har...
Flu deaths in San Diego County went up in the last week of December, and the number of lab-confirmed cases skyrocketed. According to the County Health and Human Services Agency, six additional flu deaths were reported, bringing this season’s total to 11 deaths. Four flu deaths had been reported at the same time last season. Also, nearly 2,227 new flu cases were reported last week, raising this season’s total to 3,873, which is nearly 3,300 more cases than the 599 cases that had been reported at the same time in 2016. “In...
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency is among four organizations throughout California recognized Tuesday, Dec. 19 for excellence in innovation, continuous improvement and leadership. HHSA received the California Awards for Performance Excellence Eureka Award for Performance Excellence, Silver Level. The annual awards are given out by the California Council for Excellence and are based on the Baldrige Framework for Performance Excellence. “This is an outstanding achievement by our Health and Human Services A...
