Health

State legislators push bill to limit emergency room closures

California has one the nation’s lowest number of hospital emergency rooms per capita, and Bay Area legislators are calling this shortage a crisis, as the number of people who need urgent care services keeps growing. They are pushing for a bill that would require non-profit hospitals to obtain approval from the state Attorney General.

Possible repeal of Obamacare arouses local concern

As Californians, along with the rest of the nation, brace for a possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act, Marshawn Harris, an Oakland-based health care insurance broker, had been trying to sign up as many people as possible. “My goal is to get everyone enrolled and make sure they understand that Covered California [the state’s version of the Affordable Care Act] will be around at least until the end of 2017,” Harris said, referring to the state’s version of the Affordable…

Changing an industry with natural products

Before starting a green business, Elva Aguilar worked as a maid for corporate cleaning companies in the Bay Area. Aguilar worked with the common cleaning agents, but like some cleaning workers she began to notice a decline in her health.

Studies show stress from racism affects newborn health

A growing number of scientific studies show that racism experienced by women of color, particularly black women, can affect the health of their future children in many ways. Racism can lead to an increased likelihood of preterm birth and low birth weight, these studies show, and both of these circumstances can increase the likelihood of other health problems throughout a child’s life.