As seasonal rains promote the growth of wild mushrooms, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith is again reminding people that eating wild mushrooms can cause serious illness and even death. Read more

One hundred and eleven California hospitals met or surpassed a federal target aimed at reducing Cesarean births (C-sections) for first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies, according to the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS). Read more

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today that St. John of God Retirement and Care Center, a skilled nursing facility in Los Angeles County, has received a Class “AA” citation, the most severe penalty under State law, and a $100,000 fine from the State of California. Read more

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today announced that flu activity in California is widespread and at levels usually seen at the peak of the influenza season. Health officials encourage Californians to get vaccinated. Read more

January is National Radon Action Month and the cold winter months are the best time to test for this odorless and colorless gas. CDPH is offering free test kits to households in California throughout the month of January, or until supplies run out. Read more

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued 10 penalties today to nine California hospitals along with fines totaling $549,555 after investigations found the facilities’ noncompliance with licensing requirements caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to patients. Read more

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today that View Heights Convalescent Hospital, a skilled nursing facility in Los Angeles County, has received a Class “AA” citation, the most severe penalty under State law, and a $100,000 fine from the State of California. Read more

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today advised residents where wildfires have been burning in Southern California, along with people in the smoke’s path, to stay indoors and reduce outdoor activity. Read more

The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has taken enforcement actions including a $322,500 fine against California Physicians’ Service (Blue Shield of California) and a $135,000 fine against Care 1st Health Plan for failing to identify, timely process, and resolve consumer grievances. Read more

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today announced that Imperial Care Center, a skilled nursing facility in Studio City (Los Angeles County), has received a Class “AA” citation, the most severe penalty under state law, and a $100,000 fine from the State of California. Read more

The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has taken enforcement action including a $5 million fine against Blue Cross of California (Anthem Blue Cross) for systemic grievance system violations. Read more

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today that California’s adolescent birth rate continues to decline. In 2015, there were 17.6 births per 1,000 females aged 15-19: a 10 percent decline from the 2014 rate of 19.6 and a 62 percent decline from the 2000 rate of 46.7. Read more

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today released the 2016-2017 Influenza Vaccination among Health Care Personnel in California Hospitals Report. Read more

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today announced an increase in the number of new Valley Fever cases reported from local health departments in California through October 31, 2017, compared with the number of cases reported for the same period in 2016. Read more