Impuesto a los millonarios genera grandes beneficios para pacientes de salud mental

Un impuesto estatal a los ricos ha impulsado significativamente los programas de salud mental en el condado más grande de California, ayudando a reducir la falta de vivienda, el encarcelamiento y la hospitalización.

California’s Tax On Millionaires Yields Big Benefits For People With Mental Illness, Study Finds

The research, focused on Los Angeles County, casts a positive light on a 2004 initiative that expanded mental health services statewide. A recent state audit, however, suggested hundreds of millions of dollars from the initiative were piling up, left unspent by counties.

Black Men’s Blood Pressure Is Cut Along With Their Hair

A new study shows that educational sessions about high blood pressure at African American barbershops, coupled with prescribing and helping to manage medication, reduced hypertension rates significantly.

Mental Health Funding Tied To Florida’s Controversial Gun Legislation

The same Florida bill that would put more guns in schools would provide the state with $90 million more for mental health resources, including $69 million for schools. Advocates say those funds for mental health care are desperately needed.

After Raising Age For Tobacco Purchases, State Sees Decreased Sales To Minors

A new study shows that, in California, moving the minimum age from 18 to 21 significantly reduced purchase by those under 18. That could be because teenagers had less access to tobacco through slightly older friends.

Jury’s In: Opioids Are Not Better Than Other Medicines For Chronic Pain

A new study followed patients with severe chronic pain for a year and found that opioids relieved pain and increased function no better than common drugs like acetaminophen and lidocaine. But the opioids carry the risk of more serious side effects, including addiction and death.

User-Friendly Or Error-Ridden? Debate Swirls Around Website Comparing Nursing Homes

State says its new site is easier to navigate, though it remains a work in progress. Advocates for nursing home patients call it “a huge step in the wrong direction” that could endanger people’s lives.