California News

Grants Help Medical Schools Attract Students of Color RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Large grants are helping medical schools in Southern California improve diversity, because although Latinos are 39% of the state's population, they make up only 6% of physicians and 8% of medical-school graduates. Jeff Kim, program director for the California Wellness Foundation, said his group recently gave $450,000 to support the University of California Riverside School of Medicine's efforts to enroll and graduate students from communities of color that are historically underrepresented. ...(Read More)

Measure to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Qualifies for 2022 Ballot SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A groundbreaking measure to reduce plastic waste has just qualified for the 2022 ballot. The proposal would give companies a big incentive to reduce plastic packaging by taxing each item by one penny. ...(Read More)

Donaciones ayudan a escuelas de medicina a atraer estudiantes de color RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Grandes donaciones están ayudando a las escuelas de medicina en el sur de California a aumentar la diversidad. Aunque los latinos son el 39 por ciento de la población del estado, representan solo el seis por ciento de los médicos y el ocho por ciento de los graduados de las escuelas de medicina. ...(Read More)

Latino Conservation Week Draws Families Across State LOS ANGELES -- This week is the eighth annual Latino Conservation Week, sponsored by the Hispanic Access Foundation, with more than 150 events taking place in California and across the country. The program invites everyone to get out and enjoy the Golden State's local, county, state and national parks. Keila Vizcarra, a Latino Conservation Week ambassador and a visitor services information assistant for the Angeles National Forest, said too many people live in urban areas with few local parks, so access needs to be improved. ...(Read More)

Expert: New CA Budget, Tax Credit are Windfalls for Families with Children SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Huge new aid programs are beating back poverty in the Golden State, especially among families with children. Gov. ...(Read More)

Rallies for Vaccine Access Pressure German Leader Merkel on U.S. Visit LOS ANGELES -- Rallies in three California cities and across the country, calling for better access to the COVID vaccine, will greet German Chancellor Angela Merkel as she visits the White House today. Advocates want Merkel to sign on to an emergency waiver of trade-related intellectual property rights (TRIPS) to the COVID-19 vaccine, to allow generics to be produced worldwide, making them cheaper and more plentiful. Dr. ...(Read More)

Hearing, Rallies Today on Bill to Reform CA Nursing Homes SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- As the legislative session in Sacramento comes to a close, lawmakers will consider a bill to require nursing homes to better account for the billions of taxpayer dollars they take in each year. The State Assembly Committee on Health will hear Senate Bill 650, to require nursing homes to provide detailed financial reports that include transactions with any vendors in which they own more than a 5% interest. ...(Read More)

Audiencia se reúne hoy sobre el proyecto de ley para reformar los hogares de ancianos en CA SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A medida que la sesión legislativa en Sacramento llegue a su fin, los legisladores considerarán un proyecto de ley para exigir que los hogares de ancianos rindan mejor cuenta sobre los miles de millones de dólares de los contribuyentes que reciben cada año. El Comité de Salud de la Asamblea Estatal escuchará el Proyecto de ley del Senado 650. ...(Read More)

Report: CA Latino Heritage Sites Need Greater Protection, Recognition SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Sites tied to Latino history and culture are underrepresented on the list of historic places, according to a new report from the Hispanic Access Foundation. The study, called "Place, Story and Culture," identifies seven sites it said deserve more recognition and protection, including three in California. ...(Read More)

Pandemic Leads to Both Weight Gain and Eating Disorders SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- More than 60% of adults reported weight problems during the pandemic, according to the American Psychological Association. Experts have some tips on getting back into your groove this summer. ...(Read More)