California has a severe shortage of pediatric specialist doctors. The state has only one pediatric medical toxicologist for all 8.7 million children in California, for example, and one child abuse specialist for every 258,000 children. The shortfall puts medically fragile children at risk for worsening health and missed opportunities for life-changing treatment and support. Many families wait months — and in some cases a year or more — to get appointments. California Kids Wait Months or Years for Specialty Care. Here’s What Would Help was first posted on April 29, 2024 at 10:30 am. ©2021 "Cali ..read more

While the threat of lead exposure via paint and water is well documented, soils aren’t systematically tested and mapped to prevent exposure to this invisible neurotoxin. Journalists have created a toolkit to help fill these information gaps and arm community members with the skills needed to do their own testing and analysis. How to Protect Your Community From the Toxic Lead Lurking in Soil was first posted on April 23, 2024 at 9:58 am. ©2021 "California Health Report". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader, then the s ..read more

Millions of Californians feel they can’t afford to address their health needs, whether through medication, doctor’s visits or insurance coverage. California’s new Office of Health Care Affordability recently proposed capping medical spending growth at 3 percent. This would limit how much things like insurance premiums or the cost of medical services could rise every year. Opinion: The Cost of Medical Care is Unaffordable for California’s Most Vulnerable. We Need Policy Change was first posted on April 9, 2024 at 11:27 am. ©2021 "California Health Report". Use of this feed is for personal non-c ..read more

Congregate Living Health Facilities are a housing option for ventilator-dependent adults that balance independence with the need for medical care. The problem is, there are not enough of these homes to care for all the ventilator-dependent adults who would benefit from them. And those homes that do exist mostly don’t accept Medi-Cal patients. Analysis: California Needs to Fund Housing for Ventilator-Dependent Adults was first posted on March 26, 2024 at 8:30 am. ©2021 "California Health Report". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in yo ..read more

Victims of Crime Act funding is the largest funding source for victims’ services throughout California and the country. But it’s in jeopardy. If California doesn't allocate additional funds, grants to victim service providers will face a devastating 30 percent cut. Opinion: It’s Time for California to Invest in Support for Violence Survivors was first posted on March 25, 2024 at 11:44 am. ©2021 "California Health Report". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader, then the site is guilty of copyright infringement. Please c ..read more

California has multiple programs that provide support to children with complex medical needs and disabilities. But accessing and making use of these programs is a minefield for many families. Vivian Vasquez and John Hernandez discovered that for themselves after their daughter, Claire, was born with a rare genetic disorder. ‘She’s Taught Me So Much About What Real Courage Is:’ A Window into the Life of a Family Caring for a Child with Intensive Medical Needs  was first posted on March 15, 2024 at 3:37 pm. ©2021 "California Health Report". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial us ..read more

California has a variety of programs aimed at supporting the health care needs of children with complex disabilities. But accessing and utilizing these programs is complicated and time consuming. The California Health Report spoke with several experts and disability advocates about what can be done to ease the burden on families and ensure children with disabilities get the care they need. How to Make it Easier for Kids with Disabilities to Get Care was first posted on March 15, 2024 at 3:37 pm. ©2021 "California Health Report". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you ..read more

It’s common for people with disabilities to have trouble accessing health care, but this problem is often overlooked. These challenges can affect people as they move from pediatric to adult care, and also as they age. I’ve seen how disability and health intersect, both in my academic studies and through my own lived experiences as a person with disabilities. Opinion: Older Adults and People with Disabilities Need Better Access to Quality Health Care was first posted on February 15, 2024 at 11:07 am. ©2021 "California Health Report". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If ..read more

Participating in extracurricular activities is hugely beneficial for children’s wellbeing and has been found to lower their risk of having depression and anxiety. CoachArt is a nonprofit organization that helps chronically ill children ages 5 to 18 explore hobbies and skills through free classes, including painting, cooking, guitar lessons and martial arts. These Lessons Give Children with Chronic Illnesses a Chance to Be a Guitarist, Actor or Chef  was first posted on February 5, 2024 at 9:00 am. ©2021 "California Health Report". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only ..read more

Improving access to high-quality primary care is one of the best things we can do to improve health in America. The consolidation and corporatization of primary care is delivering the greater access and lower costs consumers are demanding. Yet long-term, this approach may be harming, not improving, health equity. Opinion: We Need to Balance Innovation with Equity in the Rush to Reimagine Primary Care was first posted on January 30, 2024 at 9:42 am. ©2021 "California Health Report". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader ..read more