KPBS News: Health

California Releases Details of Health Insurance Exchange

Katie Orr, Capital Public Radio — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

More than 5 million uninsured Californians will soon have a variety of plans to choose from through the state’s health insurance exchange. The state announced Thursday its plans for compliance with federal health care reform.

State Officials And Local Grocers Pair Up To Encourage Healthier Eating

Erik Anderson — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:17:10 -0700

California officials are working with grocers in San Diego's Barrio Logan neighborhood to encourage healthier eating – a rare treat for a community where unhealthy foods are easier to find.

LA Medical Marijuana Vote Could Carry Implications In San Diego

Associated Press / KPBS — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:39:26 -0700

The result of LA's vote on three medical marijuana proposals could push the San Diego City Council to act.

Game-Changer: Obamacare's New Coverage Rules And Costs

Emily Bazar / CHCF Center for Health Reporting — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:12:56 -0700

Questions and answers about how the Affordable Care Act affects the price, accessibility and rules of health care.

Strike Underway At UC Medical Centers

City News Service — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:43:14 -0700

Thousands of health care workers at UC San Diego Medical Center and University of California hospitals across the state began a two-day strike today, walking picket lines as they push for a new contract.

As Strike Looms, UC Medical Centers Cancel Elective Surgeries

Kenny Goldberg — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:15:50 -0700

Elective surgeries are being canceled at University of California Medical Centers in anticipation of a potential strike next week by thousands of patient care workers.

Men Say Hair Loss Drug Causes Sexual Problems And Depression

Kenny Goldberg — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

The most popular drug for hair loss in men, Propecia, can cause debilitating side effects, including loss of sexual function and depression.

UC San Diego Medical Center Gets A New Trauma Unit

Kenny Goldberg — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:58:32 -0700

Severely injured patients treated at UC Medical Center in Hillcrest will get even faster and better care thanks to a new state-of-the-art trauma unit.

Study: Repeat Brain Injuries Linked To Higher Suicide Risk In Military

Beth Ford Roth — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:52:41 -0700

The more Traumatic Brain Injuries suffered by a service member, the higher his or her risk of suicide, according to a new study by the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah.

Teen Cooking Show Teaches Culture, Cameras And Chopping Skills

Jill Replogle — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:00:00 -0700

A group of San Diego students joins the cooking show craze, learning nutrition, cooking and video production skills while capitalizing on the culinary richness of one of the nation's most diverse neighborhoods.

West Nile Virus Cases Up Across Southwest

Tristan Ahtone — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

West Nile virus cases in the Southwest are up from previous years, according to new 2012 statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control.

Partial Smoking Bans In Hotels Don't Protect Guests From Dangers Of Tobacco

Kenny Goldberg — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:51:18 -0700

Non-smoking rooms in hotels that have a partial smoking ban don't protect people from tobacco smoke, according to a new study from San Diego State University.

New Marijuana Dispensary Rules In Front Of Mayor, City Council

City News Service — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:50:42 -0700

A draft law regulating medical marijuana establishments in the city of San Diego is now in the hands of Mayor Bob Filner and members of the City Council, a spokesman for the City Attorney said today.

Agent Orange Linked To Lethal Prostate Cancer In Veterans

Beth Ford Roth — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:02:49 -0700

New research links Agent Orange exposure to a lethal, aggressive form of prostate cancer in Vietnam War veterans.

University Of California Healthcare Workers Threaten Strike

Kenny Goldberg — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:13:12 -0700

Care at the five UC Medical Centers could be disrupted next week if some 13,000 union healthcare workers go out on strike.

New Medicare Program Penalizes Hospitals With High Re-Admit Rates

Deborah Schoch / CHCF Center for Health Reporting — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:14:16 -0700

A new Medicare program that punishes hospitals with high patient readmissions rates is forcing administrators to reach out and improve how patients are cared for even after they’re wheeled out the hospital doors.

Online Searches Show Recession's Effect On Mental Health

David Wagner — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:04:55 -0700

The economy may be getting its groove back, but the nation's collective mental health remains in a funk. By studying online searches, a local researcher finds that the public's anxieties haven't receded, even though the worst of the recession has.

California Bill Would Penalize Large Companies That Don't Provide Health Coverage

Kenny Goldberg — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:22:29 -0700

Large employers would face state penalties for failing to provide health insurance to their workers, under a bill in the California Assembly.

New Test Unveiled In San Diego Could Change Prostate Cancer Treatment

David Wagner — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:31:04 -0700

By telling doctors how aggressive a patient's prostate cancer is, a new test could help more men decide to forgo aggressive — and sometimes unnecessary — treatments.

Two California Children Get Innovative Device To Treat Spinal Problems

Kenny Goldberg — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:00:00 -0700

Two California children have been implanted with a magnetic device that promises to revolutionize the way curvature of the spine is treated in young people.