In response to looming federal and state funding cuts, Santa Clara County officials are taking decisive action to protect the viability of their vast public hospital system. The latest move involves a major shake-up of the Santa Clara Family Health Plan’s leadership, with the county seeking greater control over how Medi-Cal reimbursements are handled. At a Board of Supervisors meeting held on May 20, officials voted unanimously to replace a majority of the Family Health Plan’s gov

Amazon is under legal scrutiny after being accused of selling rice contaminated with harmful levels of heavy metals. A lawsuit filed in Columbus, Ohio, alleges that the tech giant failed to test various rice products for toxic substances like arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, substances that pose significant health risks, especially to children. The lawsuit claims Amazon knowingly sold these products, including the Whole Foods 365 brand, without any warning about the potential dangers, vio

A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, originally identified in China, has now reached the United States, prompting concern among health officials due to its rapid spread and high transmissibility. Detected first in travelers arriving between March and April in states including California, New York, Washington, Virginia, and Hawaii, the variant has since appeared in Ohio and Rhode Island, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The variant has become dominant i

As Covid-19 cases see a resurgence across India and the early monsoon ushers in a spike in flu infections, many are struggling to distinguish between the two. With overlapping symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, and fatigue, it’s easy to misdiagnose or delay treatment. Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, an internal medicine specialist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi, shares how to spot the differences and why testing is key to correct diagnosis and care. T

India is witnessing a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases, with health authorities confirming the emergence of two new variants: NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. The total active case count has climbed to 1010 as of May 27, 2025, with Kerala being the worst-hit state. Public health officials are urging calm as symptoms remain mild in most cases, although hospital preparedness has been ramped up across states. The spike in infections is largely being attributed to the new sub-lineages of the JN.1 strain

India is witnessing a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, primarily driven by a new variant identified as JN.1. According to the Union Health Ministry, 257 active COVID cases have been recorded across states, with the majority arising in Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. This variant is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia and is now spreading in parts of India, echoing similar spikes seen in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand. What is the JN.1 Variant?

A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, is now emerging in the United States after becoming dominant in China and causing a significant rise in cases across Asia. U.S. health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are monitoring the variant closely as scientists continue to analyze whether NB.1.8.1 poses greater risks in terms of transmission, severity, and resistance to existing vaccines. The variant was initially identified in Asia, particularly in Ch

In a move that could significantly change how COVID-19 booster shots are administered in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a proposal that may limit annual boosters to only high-risk groups starting in 2025. The new guidelines are expected to restrict boosters for healthy individuals under 65 unless drug manufacturers like Pfizer and Moderna conduct detailed clinical trials proving their effectiveness. The announcement was made on May 20, raising di

As Covid-19 concerns resurface across parts of Asia, the Directorate of Public Health & Family Welfare in Andhra Pradesh has issued a renewed advisory urging residents to adopt stringent safety measures. The advisory, issued on May 23, comes in response to a noticeable uptick in Covid-19 cases both within the country and globally. Citizens have been asked to remain vigilant, with a strong recommendation to avoid mass gatherings such as social functions, parties, prayer meetings,

A former California police officer has been charged with defrauding the workers’ compensation system by falsely claiming a disability while leading an active lifestyle that included skiing, running, and attending music festivals. Nicole Brown allegedly collected more than $600,000 in tax-free workers’ compensation benefits after reporting an injury sustained while on duty in March 2022. Despite claiming she was unable to work due to a traumatic brain injury, Brown was seen engaging i

Fishing in the San Francisco Bay has long been a cultural and recreational tradition for local residents. However, new scientific findings have revealed a significant threat lurking beneath the surface. A comprehensive study has found that ten widely consumed fish species from the Bay are frequently contaminated with high levels of PFAS, a group of synthetic chemicals also known as “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to breaking down in the environment and their ability to ac

As COVID-19 cases begin rising once again across several Asian nations, health authorities and researchers are looking into alternative forms of protection especially for people hesitant to take another jab. The recent increase in infections has been particularly notable in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and India, with India reporting 257 active cases as of May 19, according to the Union Health Ministry. The surge coincides with the global spread of the JN.1 variant, a sublineage

In a strong show of community solidarity and mental health advocacy, over 100 residents, civic leaders, first responders, and youth representatives gathered at San Ramon's Central Park last week to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The event marked a countywide dedication initiative aimed at spreading awareness of the vital mental health resource across Contra Costa County during Mental Health Awareness Month. Hosted by the Leadership San Ramon Valley Class of 2025,

  Brynn Carrigan, a 41-year-old health official from Bakersfield, California, never imagined that what began as persistent headaches in April 2024 would spiral into a life-altering health crisis. Once an active mother of two and a marathon trainee, Carrigan suddenly found herself bedridden, unable to tolerate even the dimmest light. Her vomiting worsened the pain, and she spent most days hidden under blankets in complete darkness. Simple things like the glow of a microwave cloc

In a recent development, Mumbai's King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital has reported two deaths involving patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Among them was a 14-year-old minor suffering from nephrotic syndrome and a 54-year-old cancer patient. Both individuals were also COVID-positive at the time of their death, but doctors have clarified that the fatalities were primarily due to their pre-existing critical conditions and not the virus itself. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

As Singapore and Hong Kong witness a fresh surge in COVID-19 infections, India continues to maintain a relatively stable situation with only 257 active cases reported as of May 19, 2025. All the cases identified in India are mild and do not require hospitalization, according to the Union Health Ministry. This update was shared after a key review meeting was held involving experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) division, Disaster M

Under a new cost-cutting proposal by Governor Gavin Newsom, California may soon eliminate Medi-Cal coverage for popular weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, sparking concern among healthcare advocates and low-income patients. The move, which aims to address a $12 billion state budget deficit, could take effect on January 1, 2026, and would save the state an estimated $85 million in 2025–26 and up to $680 million by 2028–29, according to Newsom's office. Ozempic and

Testing and monitoring for HIV in South Africa have experienced a sharp decline in recent months, following significant cuts in US aid that previously supported healthcare workers and local clinics. According to unreleased data from South Africa's National Health Laboratory Service, the drop in viral load testing—especially among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, infants, and youth—is raising alarm among health experts. The United States had been contributing approxima

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that affects around 1 in 100 adults globally. It is characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that can significantly disrupt daily life. While many people with OCD respond well to standard treatments like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a significant number estimated at around 40% do not achieve sufficient symptom reli

Santa Clara County is making significant strides in enhancing healthcare access for children with developmental disabilities by expanding its Pediatric Development Specialty Center at the county-owned O’Connor Hospital. This move is part of the county’s broader commitment to meet the growing needs of youth requiring specialized developmental support and to ease the burden on families facing long wait times for care. The expansion includes the addition of an entire new suite on the ho