Latest news with #KaiserPermanente
Newsweek
16 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Calling All Health Care Leaders: Join a Discussion on Health Tech's Future
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As IT landscapes continue to grow more complex, health systems must adapt to them when seeking interoperability. That's why Newsweek is hosting a forum for health care leaders to collaborate and chart the best path to a digital future. On Tuesday, September 16, health care leaders from around the nation will gather at Newsweek's global headquarters in One World Trade Center, New York City, for the 2025 Digital Health Care Forum. The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. EDT. We invite you to join us and register for the event at this link. The full day of programming includes panel discussions and fireside chats with some of the foremost thought leaders in digital health care. Speakers include Aneesh Chopra, the first U.S. chief technology officer under President Barack Obama's administration; Dr. Daniel Yang, vice president of AI and emerging technologies at Kaiser Permanente; Dr. David Callender, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System; Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health and chair-elect for the American Hospital Association; and Joe Petro, corporate vice president of Microsoft Health and Life Sciences. Throughout the day, speakers and attendees will address pressing issues and share best practices for the digital age of health care. Representatives from top health systems will break down how to build a digital hub and construct a futuristic hospital, debate AI governance strategies and explore opportunities to break down data siloes. You'll leave the day with evidence, anecdotes and actionable strategies to bring back to your organization. Newsweek's 2025 Digital Health Care Forum kicks off at 9:30 a.m. on September 16. Newsweek's 2025 Digital Health Care Forum kicks off at 9:30 a.m. on September 16. Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva While modern technology has made the movement of data more seamless, the health care industry is still facing challenges in building Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), such as scattered, fragmented data; cyberattacks on security and patient data; and questions around obtaining patient data use consent. The panel "Breaking Down Silos: Achieving True IT Integration in Health Care" will expand on these challenges. The panel "The Business Case for Tech and Innovation" will dive into the importance of digital solutions in reducing hospital costs and increasing their returns on investments. Hospitals are currently facing increasing financial pressure. To elevate their quality of care, hospitals need a new strategy to maximize revenue while effectively addressing patients' concerns. According to a public survey conducted by health care communications consulting firm Jarrard, in 2022, 77 percent of consumers said hospitals were mainly focused on taking care of patients, while only 23 percent believed their focus was on revenue. However, those numbers have flipped this year, with 76 percent believing hospitals are focused on revenue and only 24 percent believing they prioritize patient care. To discuss these topics along with others in further detail, Newsweek has assembled a dynamic panel of leaders from the nation's top health systems and research centers, including: Ochsner, City of Hope, Northwestern Medicine, Banner Health, Piedmont, Sanford Health, UR Health, MD Anderson, University Health, Northwell Health, UMass Memorial Health, Columbia University Irvine Medical Center, Arcadia, Kaiser Permanente and Jefferson Health. We hope you can join us for this timely conversation in sculpting the digital future of health care. Space is limited. Visit to secure your spot and find more information.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Pause': Kaiser stops gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19
( — Kaiser Permanente has announced it will be pausing gender-affirming surgeries for patients who are under the age of 19. Kaiser became the latest health care provider to change its gender-affirming care policy starting August 29, in response to efforts by the Trump administration to restrict access. 'After significant deliberation and consultation with internal and external experts, including our physicians, we've made the difficult decision to pause surgical treatment for patients under the age of 19 in our hospitals and surgical centers,' a Kaiser spokesperson told 'All other gender-affirming care treatment remains available.' Kaiser says there has been a huge focus by the federal government on gender-affirming care, especially for those who are under the age of 19. Ring app users report unauthorized access to their accounts 'We continue to meet with regulators as well as our clinicians, patients, their families, and the community with the goal of identifying a responsible path forward,' Kaiser officials said. According to the hospital, this includes an executive order that instructs federal agencies to take actions to reduce access and restrict funding for gender-affirming care, and hospital inquiries by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and changes to coverage and border federal agencies review, which includes the Federal Trade Commission. A recent subpoena has also been issued by the U.S. Department of Justice to doctors and clinics that provided care to minors. 'We recognize that this is an extremely challenging and stressful time for our patients seeking care, as well as for our clinicians whose mission is to care for them,' Kaiser said. 'We will work closely with each patient to support their care journey.' State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) stated this is 'straight up denial of care' to those who are under the care of a physician and parents who have permitted the treatments. 'Trump has declared war on trans people and trans kids and their families in particular,' Wiener said. 'Now is the time to have these kids' and these families' backs, not to fold under pressure from the most homophobic and transphobic Administration in modern history — an Administration that won't stop until LGBTQ people are entirely erased from public life.' reached out to some Republican senators and congressmen, but did not hear back in time for this article. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Caps off to Kaiser's staff of international nurses
I recently spent a week in Kaiser Permanente's Oakland hospital recovering from a nasty bout of pneumonia. During my stay, I was tended by an international corps of nurses who continuously impressed me with their medical knowledge, competence, kindness and compassion. Interestingly, their national origins included, in addition to America, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Congo, Zimbabwe, Yemen, China, Indonesia, Mexico and various Central American countries. All are here legally. Also of significance, many had earned their registered nurse status through California community colleges in the Bay Area, an often underappreciated resource available to students as an alternative to expensive four-year institutions. Note that the majority of these highly dedicated professionals hail from nations once characterized by President Donald Trump as 's—hole countries' and, thus, are among the people he is determined to eject from the U.S. — which is to say, not descended from white, European stock. These young nurses — whose families came here for opportunity and the chance to pursue good lives — are just the kind of citizens we want in our country: They perform essential services with high levels of professionalism, raise families and pay taxes. After my recent experience with them, I'm enormously grateful that they're here. David Esler, Berkeley Dead fan grateful Regarding 'Deadheads unite: Ultimate guide to Grateful Dead celebrations in the Bay Area,' (Arts & Entertainment, July 22), thank you, Anne Schrager, for writing a great overview of this weekend's GD60 concert celebrations. To the City of San Francisco and its residents: Thank you in advance for making this event possible and hosting over 100,000 Grateful Dead fans. Most importantly, thank you in advance to the thousands of residents who will support transportation, lodging, dining, vendor, public safety and health care services for this historical gathering in the hometown of the Grateful Dead. Thousands of Deadheads will be traveling from near and far to attend the Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary concerts in San Francisco. Thank you to the city, Golden Gate Park, and most importantly, the dedicated workers throughout the community who will make this extraordinary weekend possible. From transportation to lodging to dining to safety and medical services, we are grateful for all of your services. Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile. Thank you. Terry Lewis, Pittsburgh Fisher not the first Regarding ''Moscone is usually quiet': S.F. convention center books EDM giant Fisher' (Arts & Entertainment, July 26), this won't be the first. The Grateful Dead played a benefit concert for Vietnam veterans at the Moscone Center on May 28, 1982. They shared the bill with Country Joe and the Fish and Jefferson Starship. The Dead's set included John Cipollina and Boz Scaggs. It was (obviously) a great show! Doug Peckler, San Francisco Include more despots Regarding 'Alpha Tyrant Afterlife' (Opinion, July 25): The Joel Pett political cartoon depicting Vladimir Putin speaking to Benjamin Netanyahu with Donald Trump and Adolph Hitler in hell left out Yahya Sinwar, the late leader of Hamas and mastermind of the Oct. 7 massacre. Many Gaza citizens believe he is in heaven. Does cartoonist Pett? Putin allied Russia with Hamas, and it seems more likely that Putin would be speaking to Sinwar. William Klingelhoffer, San Francisco Fealty from all Regarding 'Deportations haunt U.S. born citizen' (Front page, San Francisco Chronicle, July 27), with masked gestapo in unmarked cars grabbing people (including U.S. citizens) off the street President Donald Trump appears intent on creating the very hell hole he denounced in his campaign. Added to this campaign of intimidation is keeping people out of the country who do not swear fealty to 'our dear leader.' Last week a relative was traveling to the West Coast from Dublin with two Irish friends. Her friends were detained and told by INS officers they could not enter. Their crime? Their cell phones contained criticisms of President Trump. By this standard. it would appear that most of the world is now ineligible to enter the United States. Tom Miller, Oakland Eye of the beholder Regarding 'We have seen better days, San Francisco' (Native Son, July 27), thank you, Carl Nolte, for your notes about the 'new' city without criticizing anyone. I prefer Russell/Woolpert over Chase Center, Tony Ponce pitching both ends of a doubleheader at Seals over $18 beers at Oracle, and George Christopher over any other mayor. Mark Allan, Inverness Park
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
11 Signs Your Child Is Too Competitive and What To Do About It
Reviewed by Charissa Chamorro, PhD We've all heard the saying: 'A little competition never hurt anyone.' In fact, you likely see a touch of competitiveness in just about everyone, including yourself. But how does competitiveness apply to kids? Experts say while competition is a natural part of human makeup that drives people, including kids, to do their best, it also can morph into something unhealthy—especially if your child cannot tolerate losing and struggles every time they are faced with challenges. 'Our brains are wired to compete,' explains Christina Lee, MD, a psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente in Maryland. 'Competition can be a very positive drive to motivate you to do better and to learn to improve your performance. But the problem is in children who have underdeveloped brains and the inability to necessarily temper [emotions], impulsive competitiveness can spiral into the negative aspects like self-criticism or perfectionism.' Dr. Less says unhealthy competitiveness may start with getting upset over losing a board game. Then, as your child gets a little bit older, they may start obsessing over their grades, insisting on being first in line, and even refusing to try hard things because they are afraid to fail, she says. 'When someone's self-worth starts becoming contingent on winning, achievements, or out-performing other people, that's where it's really time to take a closer look,' says Dr. Lee. 'An unhealthy competitive mindset can ultimately crowd out enjoyment, curiosity, and the healthy risk-taking that is needed to explore—and all the positive benefits of competitiveness go out the window when it starts going down that path.' Understanding Competitive Behavior in Children Competitiveness in children is often overt, says Cynthia Vejar, PhD, LPC, LSC/PPS, NCC, associate professor and director of the CMHC/SC/TR Cert. Programs at Lebanon Valley College. Most kids haven't yet developed the nuanced mannerisms that allow them to conceal their competitiveness that adults typically acquire. 'While adults may be just as, if not more, competitive, they often hide it behind subtle behaviors, passive comments, or strategic social graces,' says Dr. Vejar. 'In contrast, children tend to express their competitiveness in more obvious ways, such as bragging, name-calling, or becoming hyper-emotional when they lose.' Their emotional regulation is still developing, so their reactions tend to be worn on 'their sleeves,' she says. This isn't necessarily negative, as it offers clear insight into their thoughts and emotions, but it also means you need to teach them how to handle both winning and losing, as well as developing grace, empathy, and perspective, she says. Here are some ways you might witness competitiveness in school, sports, and social interactions. School: According to Dr. Vejar, kids may strive for the highest grades, as well as seek approval from teachers. 'On the positive side, this can motivate hard work, but it can also lead to stress or perfectionism, as well as cheating behavior.' Sports: In sports, competition can be physical and aggressive, says Dr. Vejar. Kids may push themselves and their teammates, which can lead to burnout, resentment, and ultimately take the fun out of hobbies and activities, she says. Conversely, kids can move past their comfort levels and develop exceptional talent, she says. Social interactions: In peer groups, Dr. Vejar says competition shows up as trying to be the most popular, have the trendiest clothes and technology, and get the most attention. This can manifest in appearance, talent, and social status, she says. The Impact of Excessive Competitiveness While a little bit of competition can be healthy for kids, Dr. Lee says too much can create chronic stress that can lead to burnout, de-prioritizing collaboration, and even lying about their accomplishments. It also can steal their joy for activities they once loved—especially in sports and other similar activities. In fact, the American Academy Pediatrics reports that 70% of kids quit organized sports by age 13 because of performance pressure and the amount of unhealthy competition they experience, she says. 'Excessive pressure [and unhealthy competitiveness] raises the risk for depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep issues,' says Dr. Lee. 'It can sometimes even lead to substance misuse in adolescence.' Unhealthy competitiveness also can cause kids to disconnect from their core values and sense of self beyond the activity, adds Carla Allan, PhD, division chief of psychology for Phoenix Children's. 'Some may withdraw, freeze, or quit, while others may act out with intense, persistent anger towards peers, parents, coaches, or themselves—disrupting their overall quality of life,' says Dr. Allan. 'In most cases, without intervention, children will gradually show more frequent and intense signs of dysregulated behavior. For example, a child who exhibits physical aggression often displays verbal aggression first.' As they get older they may even resort to cheating in order to win. And, if they are in sports, excessive competitiveness and a desire to be the best, can even lead to the use of performance enhancing drugs. Signs Your Child Is Too Competitive When kids are overly competitive, Dr. Lee says they may be reluctant to try new things or to undertake challenges, especially if they believe they might not succeed. They may fear failure and become withdrawn as a result. You also may see a lot of negative self-talk, self-criticism, extreme emotions after a loss, and an inability to recover from losses and failures, she says. Here are some other signs of excessive competitiveness that our experts say you may witness: Constant comparisons with peers Fear of failure or not being good enough Lack of collaboration or cooperation Acting out after losing a competition or failing a test Avoidance of competitions or sporting events Boastful behavior or bragging and putting down others Unable to be a team-player or share credit for winning Perfectionism and unrealistic expectations of self and others Pressure to constantly perform or present a perfect image Feelings of inadequacy or exclusion Alienating friends or being rejected by others The Role of Social Media While social media, like TikTok and Instagram, can provide a platform for connection, it can also encourage competitive behaviors, especially in teens, says Judy Krause, EdD, executive director of Early Childhood Programs at Pacific Oaks College. 'These platforms often foster a sense of competition,' says Dr. Krause. 'While online, teens compare themselves with others, wanting to be popular. Peer pressure leads them to participate in virtual trends, which can be harmful.' With social media, there's a built-in culture that emphasizes recognition, adds Dr. Vejar such as how many 'likes' one gets, how many friends they have, and the types of comments they get on a post. 'This can create pressure to constantly perform or present a perfect image, while also triggering feelings of inadequacy or exclusion such as FOMO [fear of missing out].'You can reduce these risks by setting time limits for screen time, encouraging real-world or offline friendships, and modeling healthy technology habits, says Dr. Vejar. 'The problem with social media is that it turns normal, every day life into a competition or a scoreboard,' adds Dr. Lee. 'It ends up perpetuating this idea that everyone's highlight reel is better…and there's a huge divide that makes kids feel terrible and fuels their anxiety. So, have open conversations with your kids about how social media is not real and is a very filtered version [of someone's life].' Strategies for Parents to Encourage Healthy Competition When it comes to competition, work with your kids to provide balance, says Dr. Krause. 'Rather than focusing on winning, concentrate on effort and accepting loss. Shift the focus to teamwork. Engage in conversations about feelings. Children are looking to [you] for support; be the model for finding the fun in the competition.' If you are constantly focusing on accomplishments and winning, Dr. Lee says that's going to make your child feel bad when they don't obtain that. Instead, shift your focus to progress like comparing how a child did in the past and how they do now. Dr. Lee says you can encourage healthy competition, instead. Here's how: Praise effort over outcome: 'Research shows that kids who are praised for their hard work and their effort actually go on to develop much stronger resilience, can recover better from setbacks, and learn to cope with disappointment or frustration, when they feel supported and loved regardless of whether they win or lose,' she says. Rotate sports and activities: Strive for a balance of competitive and non-competitive activities and avoid specializing in a sport too early, says Dr. Lee. 'The American Academy of Pediatrics against pigeon-holing them into being the sports player, gymnast, or cheerleader. Try different sports throughout the year and then take several months off from any single sport. You want your child to kind of figure out what they enjoy and what they would excel at doing. You also want to encourage teamwork and cooperation over winning.' Model healthy and positive attitudes toward competition: Achievements should be celebrated, says Dr. Lee. But they're also not representative of who your child is. 'Anybody can have a good or bad day, so it's important to teach children how to keep a healthy perspective. It's also important to encourage kids to prioritize rest and recovery. It's not an optional thing; it's essential and helps reduce burnout," she explains. Talk about what success means: So many young people think success is all about winning, says Dr. Lee. 'But if you teach your child that success might mean being a good person, being a good teammate, being supportive, trying something new, or doing something even when you know that you're going to fail you have redefined the term success and redefined the term winning. That can help build long-term confidence. Remind them that having fun is the goal: The reason why children start doing competitive things like sports is because they are fun, says Dr. Lee. 'So, remind them that having fun should be the goal, not winning. Also encourage them to try something new and not just focus on the things they are good at.' Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
COVID rising in California. How bad will this summer be?
COVID-19 is once again on the rise in California. It remains to be seen whether this latest uptick foreshadows the sort of misery seen last year — when the state was walloped by its worst summertime surge since 2022 — or proves fleeting. But officials and experts say it's nevertheless a reminder of the seasonal potency of the still-circulating virus. 'We definitely are seeing an uptick in the summer,' Dr. Erica Pan, director of the California Department of Public Health and the state health officer, said during a recent webinar. As has often been the case with COVID, the latest increase in infections is not playing out uniformly across the state. The uptick was first registered in Northern California and only started being seen in Southern California more recently. Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional physician chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, said she expects an uptick in cases in the Southland over the next two to three weeks, based on the level of coronavirus being detected in wastewater. 'My colleagues at Northern California Kaiser Permanente have already noticed this trend, so I suspect it will be coming to Los Angeles soon,' Hudson said. However, COVID activity remains well below the level seen last summer at this point — and it's too soon to say how bad this season will be. While last summer saw a particularly potent spike in infections, this past winter was the mildest of the COVID era. 'We'll know over the next couple of weeks which direction things are going,' Hudson said. It remains possible that COVID could end up being as active as last year, if not worse, according to Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UC San Francisco. 'It's been a longer time since a lot of people got infected,' Chin-Hong said, noting California's last busy COVID season was about a year ago, and immunity has waned since then. 'And just like last year, there are new variants afoot.' Chin-Hong said he's been hearing more people ask for advice about COVID recently. Doctors suggest taking common-sense steps to avoid getting sick, such as avoiding people who are ill, and getting up-to-date vaccines. 'Just because you had an easy case the last time doesn't mean that you'll have an easy case this time,' Chin-Hong said. 'A lot of people I've talked to who've gotten COVID this year, it was a pretty vicious case that lasted a long time.' According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the part of the country with the highest coronavirus wastewater activity level at the moment is the West. On the state level, the CDC says California has 'moderate' coronavirus activity level in its sewage, as does Nevada, Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky and South Carolina. Florida has 'high' activity and Louisiana, 'very high' activity, federal data show. Viral levels in wastewater have still been rising in many parts of the country, Chin-Hong said. A possible silver lining is that Chin-Hong expects the rate of infected people who need hospitalization will continue to drop. As of early July, the rate at which lab tests were coming back positive for coronavirus infection in California was 5.5%. That's higher than at any point since last winter, but still relatively low, Pan said. On Thursday, the California Department of Public Health said viral levels in wastewater are 66% lower than they were at this time last year. At this point last year, the COVID test positivity rate was 8.2%, and peaked at around 12% in August. Coronavirus levels are considered high in the sewershed of San Jose and Palo Alto, according to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. 'We're seeing an increase in COVID transmission in some parts of the county over the past several weeks,' the agency said. In San Francisco, coronavirus wastewater levels have also been rising — but remain lower than last summer's surge, according to the local Department of Public Health. In Los Angeles County, the rate at which coronavirus tests are coming back positive is rising. For the week ending July 12, the most recent for which complete data are available, 6.4% of specimens tested by labs were positive, up from 4.8% the prior week. Coronavirus levels in L.A. County wastewater have been roughly flat in recent weeks, and are lower than the levels seen the past few summers. 'Overall, the data suggest a slight increase in COVID-19 activity in L.A. County, but nothing yet consistent with a significant summer 'surge,'' the local Department of Public Health said. The story is much the same in Orange County, where the COVID test positivity rate is at 6.3% and increasing, but 'still below recent years for this time of the year,' according to Dr. Christopher Zimmerman, deputy medical director of the Orange County Health Care Agency. COVID-related visits to the emergency room in Orange County remain stable, accounting for 1.1% of all ER visits, compared with around 4% in August 2024, Zimmerman said. COVID-related admissions remain flat, comprising only 0.6% of hospitalized patients in the county. That metric hasn't exceeded 1% since the winter, and is down from the 1.8% recorded at this time last year. The California Department of Public Health's medium-term forecast predicts a minor summer COVID wave that is expected to peak in late August, Pan said. State scientists do expect that California will see either a stronger summer COVID wave or a more significant winter wave. They do not expect the state will see the one-two punch of seasonal surges that were typical during the COVID emergency era, Pan said. The most dominant circulating subvariant now is NB.1.8.1, which has been dubbed 'Nimbus.' But the fastest-growing strain nationwide is XFG, nicknamed after another type of cloud, 'Stratus.' Both are highly contagious, officials say — and Nimbus has been particularly associated with what patients describe as 'razor blade throat,' feeling like their throats are studded with razor blades. However, current available vaccines are expected to cover these subvariants. The California Department of Public Health recommends that everyone age 6 months and up 'should have access and the choice to receive currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines, with an emphasis on protecting higher-risk individuals, such as infants and toddlers, pregnant individuals and others with risks for serious disease,' Pan said. That's stronger than the latest federal guidance, which reflects recent recommendations issued by the Trump administration. The Trump administration dropped the recommendation that healthy children and healthy pregnant women be vaccinated for COVID-19. In formal documents, health officials offer 'no guidance' as to whether pregnant women should get the vaccine, and ask that parents talk with a healthcare provider before getting the vaccine for their children. 'Last year, the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another COVID shot despite the lack of any clinical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children,' Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a social media video announcing the changes. Kennedy, who has denigrated vaccines over the years, did not elaborate on the rationale for altering the recommendation for pregnant women in the 58-second video. Pan said there were some contradictions in the latest federal guidance, given that the Trump administration was recommending the COVID-19 vaccine for people at serious risk of severe illness — a group that includes pregnant women — 'but then it was stated the COVID-19 vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women.' A number of health groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Public Health Assn., have sued Kennedy in federal court, alleging he violated federal law by changing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations without scientific evidence. In California, an estimated 37% of seniors have received at least one dose of the latest version of the COVID-19 vaccine, which was released in September. The rate is around 50% for much of the San Francisco Bay Area. Senior vaccine coverage is roughly 40% in San Diego, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Sacramento counties, and around 30% in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. 'Insurance coverage for COVID-19 vaccines is still in place,' Pan said. A number of medical professional and scientific organizations are aligning to support scientific-based vaccine recommendations, Pan said, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Assn. and AHIP, an association of health insurance plans. Alarmed at the Trump administration's changes around vaccine policy, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota has launched a 'vaccine integrity project,' which aims 'to make recommendations for how vaccine use can remain grounded in the best available science, free from external influence,' according to a university statement. California health officials are also warning that the proposed federal budget threatens to cut deep into public health. The federal government is proposing to halve the budget for the CDC, Pan said this month, from $9.2 billion to $4.3 billion. About 80% of the CDC's funding goes to state and local health agencies, Pan said. Nearly half of the budget for the California Department of Public Health comes from the federal government, and about two-thirds of the state's public health department budget is given to local health agencies. The proposed federal budget would eliminate key centers and programs, such as the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, as well as grants for hospital preparedness and preventive health and health services, Pan said. The proposal also suggests reducing by more than half funding for public health emergency preparedness, from $735 million to $350 million, Pan said. In June, a COVID-19 immunization grant was not extended to California and expired, according to the state Department of Public Health. 'These federal funding cuts mean everyone in Los Angeles County will be at increased risk for transmitting and contracting infectious diseases,' the L.A. County Department of Public Health said in a statement to The Times. The agency said it not only works to prevent and control infectious diseases, but also inspects more than 57,000 food facilities and restaurants, tests and issues alerts about beach water quality, looks over safety issues at healthcare facilities and responds to public health emergencies, such as the region's recent wildfires. 'The President's proposed budget ... would continue a dismantling of core public health activities and severely reduce funding for federal public health grant programs, including a 55% cut to the CDC, our main source of federal grant funds,' the L.A. County Department of Public Health said. L.A. County could lose more than $200 million in annual public health funding under the budget proposal, the agency added, which would eliminate or significantly cut funding for public health emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention, vaccination efforts and worker safety programs. Among the concerns is the sudden termination of more than $45 million in previously awarded federal grant funds that support infectious disease control efforts and lab capacity, vaccination campaigns and substance use prevention. A federal court has temporarily paused the Trump administration's efforts to claw back those federal funds, the county said. 'But if we do not win this case, that funding will be abruptly terminated, leading to layoffs of dozens of contract employees, terminated purchase orders, and reductions in funding for [community-based organizations] supported by these funds,' the county said.
