“These drugs have the potential to change societies, not just individuals.” — Michael Le Page, New Scientist, March 29, 2025 Obesity is a chronic disease approaching crisis levels. Currently, about 42 percent of Americans are obese, having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more, with a predicted rise to 50 percent of the […]
Health
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The Cost of Loneliness
“Our [Stone Age] brains evolved to prioritize togetherness, and conversely to generate an anxiety response when we failed to find it.” — Matthew Shaer, The New York Times Magazine, Sept. 1, 2024 Two years ago, the Journal of the American Heart Association published a study 40 years in the making that quantified the mental and physical […]
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CA Legislature Mulls Expanding Paid Sick Leave
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, California’s three days of paid sick leave for full-time workers was not enough to cover quarantines or vaccine side effects. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring companies to offer as much as 80 hours of supplemental sick leave for employees. The temporary measure was restored in early […]
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Plans to Curb California Insulin Costs Abound. Will Anything Get Done This year?
As consumers, advocates and others prioritize their fight to lower prescription drug costs, insulin is usually first in line. Now, momentum to curb rising insulin costs seems to be building, with policymakers at the state and federal levels rolling out proposals seeking to provide diabetics some long-awaited financial relief. The questions now: What will materialize […]
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Make Friends, Live Longer
“… more than 20 percent of the adult population in America admits to struggling with loneliness. That’s more people than have diabetes in our country. That’s more than adults that smoke ….” Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy As everyone knows, the best way to stay healthy and live to a ripe old age is […]
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Six Strategies for Breaking A Bad Habit
When I decided to give up smoking in my 20s, I resolved to enjoy my last cigarette the night before my birthday and turned my final smoke into a sacrament. I put The Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin“ on my tinny record player, turned off the lights and sat in the dark, gazing at […]
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How Much Do Wildfires Really Cost California’s Economy?
Not a single structure burned down in the city of South Lake Tahoe. And yet, the threat of the fast approaching Caldor Fire cost surrounding El Dorado County tens of millions of dollars, if not more. In South Lake Tahoe, Domi Chavarria, co-owner of Verde Mexican Rotisserie, felt the devastation of the Caldor Fire even […]
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Forward Movement
I have spent every spring since seventh grade involved in track and field, well over 50 years — a life of studying forward movement through running, teaching, clinics, clinician and graduate study — a lifetime study of coaching. We are all aware of the benefits of forward movement including heart strength, muscle strength, chronic disease […]
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Covered California Opens Special Enrollment Period Through May 15
Covered California is offering a special enrollment period for those who have anyone uninsured and eligible to enroll in health care coverage through the agency from Feb. 1 through May 15. According to a release, the special enrollment period would allow uninsured people to sign up for coverage without needing to meet the normal qualifying life events, […]
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Public Health Confirms Two New COVID-19 Cases
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed two new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the county total up to 138. In a press release sent from the Humboldt County Joint Information Center, Health Officer Teresa Frankovich joined state health officials and urging people to avoid gatherings and slow the spread of the virus over Fourth of July weekend. “I […]
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Public Health: Five New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed Today, Making 22 in Eight Days
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed five more local COVID-19 cases today, making 22 over the past eight days and brings the countywide total to 77. Among the positive tests was another staff member at Alder Bay Assisted Living in Eureka, which has now seen two staff members and six residents test positive for the virus. […]
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Schools, Health Face Deep Cuts in California’s $203 Billion Budget
Gov. Gavin Newsom revised California’s budget down to $203 billion Thursday as the coronavirus pandemic batters the state with record job losses and shortfalls. In charting out a plan to fill a huge deficit, the Democratic governor strategically tied much of the cuts to public health, public safety and public schools to additional federal stimulus […]