Public health officer sounds alarm on rising rates of syphilis in women, their infants

Sonoma County is seeing "alarming" increases in congenital syphilis and is urging pregnant residents to access prenatal care as soon as possible and asking care providers to increase testing for the sexually transmitted disease.   

US Surgeon General declares national loneliness epidemic

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an 81-page report Tuesday, saying loneliness is an epidemic that has turned into a nationwide public health problem.

Toy drive for Bay Area farmworker families off to slow start

The beginning of May brings with it the start of the farming season in many parts of Northern California. But many of the families that perform this work have been hit especially hard, by the COVID pandemic, to inflation, to outbreaks of violent crime.

Hair relaxers may affect women's fertility, study suggests

Current and former use of chemical hair straighteners, greater frequency and duration of use, and scalp burns from the products were linked to lower chances of becoming pregnant, the study found.

Loneliness poses risks as deadly as smoking, US surgeon general says

“(Loneliness) is like hunger or thirst. It's a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing," the U.S. surgeon general said.

Chinatown exhibition hall explores traditional herbal remedies

A new effort underway in SF's Chinatown to help people better understand herbal medicine with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Exhibition Hall.

US to end most federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates next week

The Biden administration will end the last remaining federal COVID-19 vaccine requirements next week when the national public health emergency for the coronavirus ends.

What’s behind shortages of Adderall, Ozempic and other meds?

In recent months, unexpected demand spikes, manufacturing problems and tight ingredient supplies have contributed to shortages that stress patients, parents and doctors.

These are the worst drinks for your health, according to nutritionists

Before you load up your grocery cart or place an order at the coffee shop, restaurant or bar, beware of additives and sugar that may be lurking in your favorite drinks.

State investigations into care home poisonings released, 1 may lose license

Two Bay Area care homes in which three elderly residents died last summer from poisoning recently had investigations carried out by the state's Department of Social Services (DSS), but so far only one facility is in danger of losing its license as a result.   

Only 1 in 5 kids ready for kindergarten in county, report finds

Communities all over the state are reporting impacts on enrollment and test scores for school-age children in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Sonoma County has released a sobering, detailed report focusing on kindergartners there and how they are faring post-pandemic.     

NFL players 'significantly safer' on grass than turf, association says

The National Football League Players Association showed that during the 2022 season, NFL players suffered more non-direct contact injuries on turf than natural grass.

FDA approves first ever pill for fecal transplants

Currently, most fecal transplants are provided by a network of stool banks that have popped up at medical institutions and hospitals across the country.

Adult cigarette smoking rate hits new all-time low in US, CDC says

U.S. adults are smoking less, with 1 in 9 people reporting in 2022 that they were current smokers. Meanwhile, e-cigarette use rose, to about 1 in 17 adults.

Humboldt County Sheriff's detective saves infant from choking

Body camera footage from April 13 shows Humboldt County Sheriff’s Det. Nick Carnahan saving a 4-month-old girl’s life by quickly administering CPR.