Health and Medicine

Cast out of Nevada, mentally ill man tells story of finding kindness in Sacramento

By Cynthia Hubert - Published: 12:00 am

Meet James Flavy Coy Brown. Mentally ill for much of his life, he was discharged from a Las Vegas psychiatric hospital and put on a bus to Sacramento. He disappeared into the cold streets in February but has resurfaced to tell his story.

Judge lifts limit on contraceptive

By Pam Belluck - Published: Saturday, April 6 2013 - 12:00 am

A federal judge on Friday ordered that the most common morning-after pill be made available over the counter for all ages, instead of requiring a prescription for girls 16 and younger. But his acidly worded decision raises a broader question about whether a Cabinet secretary can decide on a drug's availability for reasons other than its safety and effectiveness.

Flu season not so bad in Sacramento region

By Cynthia H. Craft - Updated: 8:52 am

While the nation crumpled under waves of flu viruses this year, the Sacramento region fared far better, with only a mild increase over last year's influenza rate, county officials said Thursday.

Q&A: McGeorge elder law fair can answer seniors' financial, health questions

By Anita Creamer - Updated: 8:57 am

At the McGeorge School of Law's first senior financial and health safety fair Saturday, experts as well as volunteers from the school's elder law clinic will address older adults' concerns about financial abuse.

Melissa Arca: Hold off on baby's solid foods until 4 to 6 months

By Melissa Arca - Updated: Thursday, April 4 2013 - 8:13 am

I remember the infant-feeding days well, very well. I recall blueberry-smothered faces, tiny hands squishing puréed squash through clenched little fists, and generally, a feeling that my growing babies loved mealtime.

Inside medicine : The danger of 'inattentional blindness'

Published: Thursday, April 4 2013 - 12:00 am

Jane's worsening migraine headaches over several months brought her to the doctor's office.