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Anthem, a Health-Plan Brand of Elevance Health, Operates Across Multiple States

Anthem is the health-plan brand of Elevance Health, one of the largest health benefits companies in the United States. Operating under various names, Anthem Blue Cross is active in California, and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans are available in 13 other states. The company also manages Medicaid plans under state program names, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and dental and vision coverage. Elevance Health, formerly Anthem, Inc. until June 2022, is headquartered in Indianapolis. Due to the extensive range of plans, there is no single Anthem customer service phone number; instead, each plan has its own member services desk, with the number typically found on the member's ID card. General assistance is available through a national line, 1-800-331-1476.

Seasonal Depression Affects Californians in Winter

Seasonal Depression Affects Californians in Winter

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that follows a recurring seasonal pattern, typically during the winter months. Contrary to popular belief, SAD is not caused by cold weather but by reduced daylight hours and later sunrises. In California, shorter winter days, coupled with phenomena like the Central Valley's tule fog and Northern California's rainy season, can lead to a significant reduction in sunlight exposure. This can disrupt the body's internal clock and serotonin levels, triggering symptoms such as oversleeping, carbohydrate cravings, fatigue, and social withdrawal. Bright light therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy tailored for SAD (CBT-SAD), and antidepressants are evidence-based treatments for managing this condition (Lean Medical, 2026).

Vernon City Council Considers Environmental Review for Data Centers Amid Community Opposition

Vernon City Council Considers Environmental Review for Data Centers Amid Community Opposition

Vernon City Council Considers Environmental Review for Data Centers Amid Community Opposition

Kaneohe, Hawaii, Offers 18 Weekly Recovery Meetings for Substance Abuse Support

Kaneohe, Hawaii, Offers 18 Weekly Recovery Meetings for Substance Abuse Support

Kaneohe, Hawaii, currently hosts 18 weekly recovery meetings aimed at supporting individuals dealing with substance abuse. These meetings are distributed across various fellowships, including 8 Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings, 7 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings, 2 Al-Anon Family Group meetings, and 1 Celebrate Recovery (CR) meeting. Seven of these meetings are available online, providing accessibility for those who may not be able to attend in person. The schedule includes daily NA meetings, with specific evening sessions for NA on Mondays and Thursdays, and a variety of AA, Al-Anon, and CR meetings throughout the week. These gatherings offer structured support and community for individuals seeking recovery and their families.

U.S. Flu Season Begins Early and Intensifies, CDC Reports

U.S. Flu Season Begins Early and Intensifies, CDC Reports

The U.S. flu season has commenced earlier than usual and is rapidly intensifying, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven states reported high flu activity last week, an increase from two states the previous week. Over 3% of doctor's office visits were for flu-like illnesses, indicating the season is well underway. The surge originated in the South and West, with California, Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington currently experiencing high activity. Louisiana is particularly affected, partly due to lower vaccination rates and healthcare access challenges. The CDC estimates at least 2.6 million illnesses, 36,000 hospitalizations, and 2,100 deaths have occurred so far this season. The flu hospitalization rate in mid-October was the highest for that period in over 15 years.

Fitness Retreats Offer Structured Wellness Experiences Across the U.S.

Fitness Retreats Offer Structured Wellness Experiences Across the U.S.

Fitness Retreats Offer Structured Wellness Experiences Across the U.S.

California Regulators Void Nine Months of Pesticide Air-Monitoring Data, Raising Concerns for Farmworker Safety

California Regulators Void Nine Months of Pesticide Air-Monitoring Data, Raising Concerns for Farmworker Safety

California's Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has voided nearly nine months of air-monitoring data for two highly toxic fumigants, 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and methyl bromide. The data, collected from October 24, 2025, through June 30, was discarded due to a quality-control problem at the state laboratory responsible for analysis. Reference standards for these chemicals were found to have significantly degraded, by 18 to 96 percent, over a nine-month period. This issue has left regulators without crucial information to assess farmworkers' exposure to these cancer-causing pesticides. Advocacy groups like Californians for Pesticide Reform have expressed significant concern, questioning the state's ability to protect workers and communities if accurate exposure levels cannot be determined. Methyl bromide, a potent neurotoxin, is still applied in California under critical use exemptions, while 1,3-D, a known carcinogen, is banned in 40 countries but widely used in California agriculture.

California's New Conservatorship Law Shows Limited Impact on Involuntary Treatment Numbers

California's New Conservatorship Law Shows Limited Impact on Involuntary Treatment Numbers

A new California law, Senate Bill 43 (SB 43), enacted three years ago by Governor Gavin Newsom, aimed to expand involuntary treatment for individuals with severe mental illnesses and addictions. The law broadened the definition of 'gravely disabled' under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act to include those unable to provide for their safety or medical care, or incapacitated by severe substance use disorder. Despite initial expectations of a significant increase in conservatorships, data obtained by CalMatters from the state's 25 most populous counties indicates that the number of long-term conservatorships has largely remained unchanged. Most counties reported increases of less than 5% or even decreases in their one-year conservatorship caseloads since SB 43 took effect. Only three counties have used the new law to conserve individuals solely due to substance use disorder, totaling just six people. This limited impact has left families who championed the law disappointed, while disability rights advocates, who...

Redding Faces Unhealthy Air Quality Amid Prescribed Fires

Redding Faces Unhealthy Air Quality Amid Prescribed Fires

Redding, California, experienced unhealthy air quality levels on November 12, 2026, due to prescribed fires across Shasta County. The Air Quality Index (AQI) peaked at 229, categorized as 'very unhealthy,' before improving to 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' by the afternoon. Sensitive groups include children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with heart or lung conditions. The Shasta-Trinity National Forest initiated a 5,000-acre prescribed burn on November 10, with additional burns in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. These controlled fires aim to manage vegetation but have temporarily worsened air quality. (Source time: 2026-11-13T00:56:12+00:00)

Olipop Prebiotic Soda Survey Suggests Beverage Swap Inspires Healthier Habits

Olipop Prebiotic Soda Survey Suggests Beverage Swap Inspires Healthier Habits

Olipop Prebiotic Soda Survey Suggests Beverage Swap Inspires Healthier Habits

America keeps funding homelessness instead of ending it | Opinion

America keeps funding homelessness instead of ending it | Opinion

The 'Homeless Industrial Complex' has masterminded a system where failure fuels more funding rather than fundamental reform.

Los Angeles Public Health Responses Show Evolving Equity Focus in Disease Outbreaks

Los Angeles Public Health Responses Show Evolving Equity Focus in Disease Outbreaks

Los Angeles has demonstrated an evolving approach to health equity in its public health responses to disease outbreaks over time, according to a recent analysis. Historically, responses to diseases like tuberculosis in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by significant racial and economic discrimination, with public health officials often blaming immigrants and poorer communities and restricting their access to care. Decades later, the HIV/AIDS epidemic saw Los Angeles emerge as a national leader in equitable responses at the city level, passing landmark anti-discrimination laws, though county-level responses were slower. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic saw health equity explicitly integrated into public health strategies in Los Angeles and California, with policies aimed at directing resources to communities with the greatest need. Despite these advancements, underlying structural factors continue to create uneven impacts, indicating that while equity is emphasized, sustained effort is...