Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Health and Medical

Rally to save ObamaCare set for 2/25 in DTSA

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Our Revolution: 46th District Healthcare Action Rally

“We must stop Republicans from repealing Obamacare. But we can’t just play defense. We need to guarantee health care to all as a right.” – Senator Bernie Sanders

Over the week of February 19th to 25th, Congress will be in recess and our Representatives will return to their homes and local offices all over the nation. With so much at stake, now is the time to let our legislators know where we stand as a community on the issues of Medicare for All, Medi-Cal, Social Security, the Affordable Care Act and Universal Healthcare. Continue reading→

Altamed is providing free health insurance enrollment help this weekend in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in california, Health and Medical, Insurance, Santa Ana Leave a comment

LAST CHANCE: FREE ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE IN ORANGE COUNTY ON SATURDAY, JAN. 28 AND SUNDAY, JAN. 29 AS DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR OBAMACARE COVERAGE APPROACHES

January 31 Marks Official Deadline to Sign up for Obamacare Coverage Effective throughout 2017; AltaMed Health Services to Offer Free Enrollment Assistance for Orange County Residents

WHO/WHAT: January 31 marks the deadline to sign up for Covered California health care coverage that is effective throughout 2017. On Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

AltaMed Health Services, the largest network of Federally Qualified Community Health Centers in Southern California, will provide the public with free health insurance enrollment and renewal assistance at its Health Insurance Resource Center in Santa Ana. Multilingual certified enrollment counselors will be available to assist the public. Continue reading→

Infectious syphilis cases have more than quadrupled in Orange County

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County Leave a comment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ80ZgGaw8k&feature=youtu.be

Orange County Health Care Agency

Infectious Syphilis Cases More than Quadruple in OC in Last 5 years; other STDs increase as well

Increases in STDs have been reported in California as well as across the US. Orange County has experienced significant increases in syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia from 2011-2015, and the trend continued in 2016 (year-end data not final yet), with case numbers at the end of November being equal to or higher than cases for all of 2015. The increases in Orange County by disease for 2011-2015 are as follows:

  • Syphilis: 330% increase in cases of primary, secondary and early latent syphilis, which are the “early”,
    or contagious forms of syphilis (from 108 cases in 2011 to 464 cases in 2015)
  • Chlamydia: 46% increase (from 7924 cases in 2011 to 11,561 cases in 2015)
  • Gonorrhea: 138% increase (from 976 cases in 2011 to 2317 cases in 2015)

Continue reading→

It is not too late to get your flu shot!

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Health Care Agency: Its Not Too Late to Vaccinate

The Health Care Agency has reported a rapid increase of flu activity in Orange County over the past few weeks and reminds residents that it’s not too late to vaccinate. More than 900 confirmed influenza cases have been reported by local medical providers to date this season. Nine adults between the ages of 18-64 and two children under 18 years of age have developed severe infection requiring a visit to intensive care.

“The rapid rise in reports of illness and hospitalization around the state makes it likely that this will be a severe flu season,” said County Health Officer Dr. Eric Handler. “The vaccine seems to match well with the virus we’re seeing, and it’s a quick and easy way for folks to protect themselves against severe complications from the flu.” Continue reading→

Orange County Health Improvement Plan now available for public comment

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Plan to Improve Health of Orange County Community Available for Public Comment

On behalf of the Orange County Health Improvement Partnership (HIP), the Orange County Health Care Agency announces the availability of the 2017-19 Orange County Health Improvement Plan for public review and comment at www.ochealthiertogether.org through December 16, 2016. Continue reading→

Santa Ana doctor placed on probation for 8 years for prescribing opiates without medical reasons

Posted on by Posted in california, Crime, Drugs, Health and Medical, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Dr. Kent Lehman, a Santa Ana doctor, has been placed on probation for eight years by the California Medical Board and has been restricted in what medications he can prescribe, according to the O.C. Register.

Lehman was accused of prescribing addictive opiates without a medical reason. He also was accused of gross negligence, due to prescribing opiates without first conducting proper physical exams and inadequate record keeping as well. Lehman is no longer allowed to prescribe certain controlled substances, including narcotics. Continue reading→

The season’s first O.C. influenza case has been reported – time to get your flu shot

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

 

Flu Shots

For Immediate Release: October 18, 2016

Contact: HCA Communications, Media Line: (714) 834-2178, Email: HCAComm@ochca.com

Orange County Reports Season’s First Influenza Case

Free Flu Vaccinations Every Thursday

(Santa Ana, CA) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed our county’s first confirmed case of influenza signaling that flu season is officially here. Influenza is a seasonal contagious respiratory illness which can be caused by influenza A or B viruses. Flu symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue. Flu illness can be severe, leading to missed school or work, hospitalization and even death. Continue reading→

Free dental, vision, and medical care clinic set for Oct. 29-30 in Garden Grove

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Free dental, vision, and medical care will be provided at the upcoming RAM of California Clinic from October 29 – October 30, 2016 at Concorde Career College, located at 12951 Euclid Street, #101, in Garden Grove.

California is a big state with big health care needs, and RAM events in California consistently treat thousands of people. RAM has served the people at The Forum in Los Angeles, Coachella, Santa Ana Schools of Orange County, and in the state capitol of Sacramento. Continue reading→

New O.C. study finds that prenatal care is declining while mental health issues are rising

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Supervisor Andrew Do: Rising Mental Health Hospitalizations, Declining Prenatal Care Demand County Solutions

Orange County Children’s Partnership Publishes 2016 Report on “Conditions of Children in Orange County”

(Santa Ana, California) — Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is calling for the county to take action to address rising mental health hospitalization rates and declining prenatal care, based on new findings published in the 2016 Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County.

The 22nd annual report, which was released Tuesday, offers a comprehensive assessment of the health, education, and safety of the county’s 840,000 children. Continue reading→

Drop off your unwanted prescriptions at the SAPD’s Westend office on 10/22

Posted on by Posted in Drugs, Health and Medical, Orange County, Public Safety Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: October 12, 2016

Contact: HCA Communications, Media Line: (714) 834-2178, Email: HCAComm@ochca.com

Drop-Off Unwanted Prescriptions at More Than 30 OC Locations on ‘National Take Back Day’

(Santa Ana, CA) – The Health Care Agency encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on “National Take Back Day” occurring Saturday, October 22 at more than 30 locations throughout Orange County.

“I encourage people to clean out their medicine cabinets and bring in expired, unused or unwanted prescription medication because one of the main sources of drug misuse in individuals over the age of 12 is prescription pain medication they’ve taken from a friend or family member,” said Dr. Eric Handler, County Health Officer. “The opioid epidemic is nationwide and it’s important we address it through participating in events like ‘National Take Back Day.’” Continue reading→

Free Celebrating Your Health with Family event at Latino Health Access on 10/29

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celebrating-your-health-with-family-in-santa-ana

REGAL MEDICAL GROUP, ADOC MEDICAL GROUP AND LATINO HEALTH ACCESS ARE “CELEBRATING YOUR HEALTH WITH FAMILY”

Santa Ana, Calif. – Regal Medical Group (RMG), ADOC Medical Group and Latino Health Access (LHA) are hosting a one day event called “Celebrating Your Health with Family” on Saturday, October 29, 2016.

“Celebrating Your Health with Family” is a celebration of good health and promotes the importance of preventive medicine. This event provides an opportunity for family and friends to celebrate their health and wellness and learn about the RMG and ADOC member advantages while having fun. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana Elks Lodge will host a Community Health Fair on Oct. 14

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The Santa Ana Elks Lodge #794 is hosting a Community Health Fair on Oct. 14, 2016, at 212 S. Elks Lane, in Santa Ana, in the Crystal Ballroom, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Flu shots will be offered at a reduced rate or an attempt will be made to coordinate with your Health Care Provider.

Free Screenings will be offered, including: Continue reading→

Get a free wrap at Santa Ana’s Muscle Maker Grill on Aug. 27

Posted on by Posted in Business, Deals, Food, Health and Medical, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Free Wrap at Muscle Maker Grill in Santa Ana (400x152)

SANTA ANA’S MUSCLE MAKER GRILL WRAPS UP SUMMER AND INVITES GUESTS TO ENJOY A FREE WRAP ON AUGUST 27

Houston, TX (August 17, 2016) – Muscle Maker Grill®, the rapidly expanding fast-casual restaurant brand, promoting a healthy lifestyle by offering nutritious alternatives to traditional dishes, today announced that to celebrate the official start of the back-to-school season, and to wrap up summer 2016, it will give away one FREE wrap per guest from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 27. The health-conscious brand is famous for serving lean, protein-based dishes including fresh greens, healthy wraps, fit bowls, skinny flatbreads, fruit smoothies, protein shakes and more. Continue reading→

The OC Health Care Agency is hosting meningococcal vaccination pop-up clinics

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: August 15, 2016

Contact: Jessica Good, Public Information Officer, (714) 834-2178, JGood@ochca.com

Health Care Agency Hosts Meningococcal Vaccination Pop-Up Clinics

(Santa Ana, CA) – The Health Care Agency (HCA) is continuing to provide free meningococcal vaccinations to gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Orange County venues serving that community. MSM have been disproportionately affected by the current outbreak impacting Southern California.

Twenty-four possible or confirmed cases appear to be associated with the outbreak, which began March 4, 2016 and is one of the largest seen to date in the United States. Orange County has had seven associated cases; and two residents have died as a result of the outbreak. On average, Orange County has only five meningococcal cases each year. Continue reading→