Summary This is an alert to public health departments, health care professionals, first responders, and medical examiners and coroners to important new developments in the evolving opioid overdose epidemic, which increasingly involves illicitly manufactured fentanyl and an array of potent fentanyl analogs (i.e., compounds that are chemically related to fentanyl). …

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) released the most geographically focused reports to date on the health of county residents and the community conditions impacting their health across the county. Reports were generated for cities and unincorporated communities with at least 24,000 residents, including …

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has identified the first case of human West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Los Angeles County for the 2018 season (excluding Long Beach and Pasadena as cases identified in those cities are reported by their local health departments). A resident …

Orange County Superior Court Judge Kim G. Dunning has issued an order that opens the door for Los Angeles County to locally prosecute civil claims against opioid manufacturers. The judge’s action comes after the County, acting to protect the health of its residents, moved to join a lawsuit that accuses …

Urges further policy changes to expand access to care for pain and substance use disorders The American Medical Association (AMA) issued a new report on Thursday documenting how California’s physician leadership is advancing the fight against the opioid crisis. The report found a statewide decrease in opioid prescribing, as well as an …

Just over one year ago, Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D., MPH, MEd, was appointed as the director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Dr. Ferrer brought not only over 30 years of professional experience as a philanthropic strategist, public health director, educational leader, researcher, …

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) announces since 2012, rates of syphilis among both men and women have been steadily increasing in Los Angeles County and in California. Cases in women rose by 50% from 2016 to 2017, affecting individuals in almost every area of the county. …

West Nile virus (WNV) activity is predicted to escalate in Los Angeles County by June. Last year’s WNV season was one of the county’s worst with the highest number of human fatalities on record. It is important that clinicians recognize and report cases and promote prevention with their patients. This …

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The award honors innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. Public Health earned the 2018 Achievement Award in the category of health for …

Sexual and gender minorities, including people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT), are at increased risk for a number of health threats including depression, tobacco and substance use, injury, violence, and communicable diseases. Dissatisfaction with and avoidance of routine health care can put sexual and gender minorities …