East County Magazine
Health and Fitness News
Trump administration allows PFAS “forever chemicals” in pesticides used on food and eliminates asbestos testing in cosmetics
By Alexander J Schorr Image: Harmful health effects of PFAS, via European Enviornmental Agency November 30, 2025— The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently approved new pesticide products containing “forever chemicals” (PFAS) for use on major food crops, sparking significant controversy. The approvals, announced this month, have been met with criticism from scientists and environmental advocates due the potential
Sharp HealthCare nurses begin strike
Photo of striking nurses by Lauren Cazares Facebook page East County News Service Nov. 26, 2025 (San Diego County) — Thousands of nurses at Sharp HealthCare in San Diego began a strike today that is expected to last through Thanksgiving weekend. The strike is likely to impact hospital operations during one of the busiest times of the year. The hospital
County Supervisors Extend Behavioral Health Services Contracts
By Paul Levikow November 20, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted unanimously to extend mental health and substance use services contracts. The County Health and Human Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Services (BHS) department provides services to vulnerable populations, including individuals who are experiencing homelessness, people involved in the justice system, and children and
Why hospital policies matter in states that ban abortion
By Kavitha Surana, Lizzie Presser and Andrea Suozzo, ProPublica Photo: Dr. Robyn Horsager-Boehrer, a retired maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Dallas. Photo by Lexi Parra for ProPublica This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. November 18, 2025 (Dallas/Houston) – Nearly four
From the Fire Chief’s Corner: November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna November 17, 2025 (San Diego) — November is the time to spotlight early detection, community support, and lifesaving education. Local leaders and national organizations are rallying to raise awareness and reduce stigma about Lung Cancer. Why Lung Cancer Awareness Matters in November Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the
National aging summit calls on community leaders to present
Dec. 5 is deadline for proposals to inform local aging service agencies East County News Service Nov. 14, 2025 (San Diego County) — Regional input is being sought for a national conference happening in San Diego next July. Because the most critical insights and best practices in community-based care typically come from the local level, the USAging
Completion of first inpatient psychiatric health facility funded in part by San Diego County opens
East County News Service November 14, 2025 (Oceanside) — The first inpatient psychiatric health facility funded in part by San Diego County opened Nov. 13 in Oceanside. San Diego County Board of Supervisors leader Jim Desmond says, “When I came into office, I said we needed to stop leaving people on the streets and start getting them into treatment. Today, that
They want to be California’s next governor. Here’s what they’d do about health care
By Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters Photo: from left, former U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Xavier Becerra, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa, and former Speaker of the California State Assembly and former California State Controller Betty T. Yee speak during the “Health Matters: A Conversation With Our Next Governor” debate
Health and Science Highlights
November 14, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Head of RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel: School mandates ‘not necessary’ (The Hill) Bird flu surges among poultry amid a scaled back federal response (NPR) FDA restricts use of kids’ fluoride supplements citing emerging health risks
County urges parents and stores to throw away formula linked to a national infant botulism outbreak
By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office November 12, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego County is urging residents and retailers to throw out ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. This includes all lots, can sizes and single-serve “anywhere” sticks. As of November 10, the formula is linked to 15 nationwide cases of infant botulism. While California has
HEALTH RESOURCES
For emergencies, call 911
Hospitals in East County/San Diego inland
Sharp Grossmont Hospital (La Mesa)
UC San Diego Health, East Campus (SDSU College area)
(Formerly Alvarado Hospital)
Kaiser Permanente (Mission Gorge/Grantville)
Palomar Medical Center Escondido
Mental health and crisis help
National Suicide and Crisis Hotline: Call 988
San Diego County Access and Crisis Hotline 1-888-724-7240
It’s Up to Us: County’s mental healthcare site https://up2sd.org/topics/mental-health
County’s mental health and addiction recovery site
Native American healthcare
Southern Indian Health Council (5 East County sites)
Health information
California Dept. of Public Health
San Diego County Public Health Clinics
San Diego County Public Health Services
County’s Aging and Independent Services
Grossmont Healthcare District’s Health and Wellness Library
Covered California (Affordable Care Act health insurance)
Food and drug recalls and safety alerts: U.S. FDA
American Academy of Pediatrics