Public Health

Place Matters to Your Patients’ Health

Posted April 10th, 2009 in Personal Health

Where one lives can affect health, positively or negatively. Beyond the traditional numbers associated with health, such as blood sugar and weight, it is well documented that an individual’s address, ZIP code, and census tract can greatly impact health equity. An individual’s physical activity level, eating habits, and other health behaviors are impacted by the design of their neighborhood and their access to community resources, such as transportation, parks, recreational facilities, and healthy food outlets.

Topics: Healthcare News and Updates, neighborhoods, Public Health

Prescription for Obesity

Posted April 10th, 2009 in Managing Your Practice, Personal Health

Pediatric healthcare providers in San Diego County have a new tool in their fight against childhood obesity: a comprehensive, countywide database of programs and services that address the various aspects of obesity, including diabetes, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy weight. The database, housed at 211 San Diego, allows free access to information about everything from clinical programs and interventions, diabetes and nutrition education, and neighborhood parks, to recreation programs and services.

Topics: 211, diabetes, Healthcare News and Updates, obesity, Public Health

Had This Been An Actual Emergency

Posted April 10th, 2009 in Managing Your Practice

At 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2008, a simulated earthquake, 7.8 on the Richter scale, centered on the southern portion of the San Andreas Fault, shook Southern California.

“Golden Guardian,” a statewide California disaster scenario, tested the response capabilities of state, county, and city governmental agencies as well as healthcare representatives.

The San Diego County Medical Operations Center (MOC) is where the entire county’s medical needs are coordinated during a disaster. The seats at the MOC are filled by representatives from:

Topics: Disaster Preparedness, emergency preparedness, Golden Guardian, Healthcare News and Updates, Public Health

Alzheimer’s Disease in San Diego

Posted April 10th, 2009 in Managing Your Practice, Personal Health

An estimated 5.2 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease, a number that is expected to grow to 16 million by the year 2050. Specifically, as the “Baby Boomers” age, the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease will proliferate.

Topics: Alzheimer's, alzheimer's disease, Healthcare News and Updates, Public Health, seniors

The Obesity Epidemic

Posted September 17th, 2008 in Personal Health

As more Americans than ever before are overweight, it is appropriate to bring attention to this issue during a time of year when so many fad diets are started and abandoned. The United States is experiencing considerable increases in overweight (defined for adults as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25) and obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 30).

Topics: childhood obesity, obesity, Public Health

A Strategic Framework for Health Improvement in San Diego County

Posted January 22nd, 2010 in Health Policy

Lately, there has been much talk and action in Washington, DC, regarding healthcare reform, and, thankfully, some of the reform talk has focused on prevention and proactive intervention. While we care about healthcare coverage, which is the main thrust of the federal debate, prevention can be the key to reforming the health of the San Diego community. To see the possibilities for transforming the health of all San Diegans, one need only examine these three numbers: three, four, and 50.

Topics: 3-4-50, Public Health, wellness

Influenza Season 2009-10

Posted August 4th, 2009 in Health Policy, Managing Your Practice, Personal Health

If it seems that the 2008-09 influenza season was unusually long, perhaps it is just that we have had artificially short influenza seasons in past years. This year was marked by a generous supply of influenza vaccine, expanded recommendations from the CDC for who should receive vaccine, and a push to continue providing vaccine after the initial fall period traditionally associated with "flu" season.

Topics: flu, influenza, Public Health

Interview With Nick Macchione, MS, MPH, FACHE

Posted June 30th, 2009 in Health Policy

San Diego Physician: You’ve been the director of the County’s Health and Human Services Agency since June 2008. Describe your vision for the Agency, where you’d like to be in two to five years.

Topics: HHSA, Nick Macchione, Public Health, safety net, SDCMS News and Updates

You’ve Reported a Disease to Public Health

Posted June 30th, 2009 in Health Policy, Managing Your Practice

The Community Epidemiology Branch (CEB) provides services and investigates diseases of all people in San Diego County. Community Epidemiology includes the San Diego County Public Health Laboratory, Vital Records, HIV/AIDS Surveillance, and the Childhood Lead Prevention Program. There are many conditions that are, by law, reportable to the County of San Diego Public Health Services. Once a report is made to public health, the Community Epidemiology Branch’s job of responding, investigating, and intervening begins. Here are some highlights of recent activities following disease reports.

Topics: Community Epidemiology Branch, disease reporting, HHSA, Public Health, SDCMS News and Updates

Skin Cancer

Posted June 15th, 2009 in Personal Health

Oftentimes when people refer to the “sun tax” in San Diego, they are referencing the fact that people are willing to receive a lower salary here and pay more for certain goods because of the beautiful weather. After all, according to the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau, there is sunshine here 58–75 percent of the time each month. As physicians, however, the real sun tax we should be discussing is the risk of skin cancer.

Topics: Public Health, San Diego, skin cancer
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