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- Written by: Dr. Dinelli Monson
California moved up two slots from 26 to 24 in this year’s America’s Health Ranking Report produced by the United Health Foundation.
America’s Health Rankings is the longest running state-by-state analysis of our nation’s health.
The report provides actionable, data-driven insights to inform public policy, research, and news reporting.
For 36 years, the America’s Health Rankings model has evolved alongside the changing public health landscape, adapting in ways that help better guide action to improve health outcomes.
Nationally, the America’s Health Rankings 2025 Annual Report shows recent progress, including improvements in premature and drug death rates as well as breast and colorectal cancer screenings.
However, the percentage of adults living with multiple chronic conditions increased, and the data show challenges in social and economic factors that shape health.
This year’s national report highlights several notable improvements:
• Premature death rates fell 8% between 2022 and 2023, marking a significant reversal after pandemic-related increases.
• Drug-related deaths decreased 3%, the first improvement since 2018.
• While cancer screenings rose 15%.
• Physical inactivity has reached its healthiest level since tracking began.
• Volunteerism also surged 22%, reflecting increased community engagement, but still lower than pre-pandemic levels, but approaching 2019 (30.0%).
Key findings for California show that cancer screenings have gone up 24%, homicides have gone down 16% and drug deaths have decreased 6%. This year’s strengths include:
• A low prevalence of multiple chronic conditions;
• A low prevalence of cigarette smoking, and;
• A high number of mental health providers per 100,000 population.
The report also shows California’s challenges, which include:
• A low prevalence of high school completion;
• Low number of primary care providers per 100,000 population, and,
• High levels of air pollution.
Health outcomes are influenced by a wide range of factors, including access to care, socioeconomic status, education, environment and health behaviors.
The objective of the United Health Foundation's America's Health Rankings Annual Report is to provide a comprehensive analysis of publicly available data of the nation's health on a state-by-state basis.
By evaluating a wide range of measures encompassing health outcomes, clinical care, behaviors, environmental and socioeconomic data, the reports aim to illuminate health challenges and successes, determine national and state health benchmarks and enable stakeholders to take action to improve health through data-driven insights.
For the last 36 years, the America’s Health Rankings has provided analysis on data to deliver a holistic picture of health across the nation. To read the full report, go to www.AmericasHealthRankings.org.
Dr. Dinelli Monson is chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare of California.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Nonprofit Vitalant urges all eligible donors to get the shortest month of the year off to a lifesaving start by giving blood.
An active flu season means those feeling healthy and well are especially needed to make up for those unable to give due to sickness.
Show your love in the most meaningful way — by giving the gift of life.
Vitalant invites couples, friends, and loved ones to celebrate together by donating blood at any community blood drive or donation center.
In appreciation, Vitalant is thanking all who are well and eligible who donate during February with a $15 gift card. Donors must opt-in to Vitalant Donor Rewards and use code GIVELOVE-2026-V when scheduling to activate the thank-you gift.
Donors of all blood types, especially type O and platelet donors so that blood is always ready for each patient's need that arises. Type O can help the most patients because of its broad compatibility. Platelets help stop bleeding and are frequently needed to help cancer patients. Platelets have a short storage life and must be used within a week of donation.
Learn more and make an appointment to give by visiting vitalant.org, download the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).
Select upcoming blood drives in Lake County include:
• Sunday, Feb. 22: Upper Lake, Jim’s Pumps Shop, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 25: Lakeport, United Christian Parish, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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- Written by: Adventist Health Clear Lake
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The holiday season can be a joyful time for many, but for those grieving the loss of a loved one — especially to a substance-related death — it can also bring feelings of sadness, loneliness and emotional pain.
To help provide support and healing during this difficult season, Adventist Health Clear Lake is hosting “Holding Space: Grief Support Group,” a free community program designed to offer compassion, understanding and guidance.
The group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Building F on the Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital campus (lower level parking lot) on Dec. 16.
The session is open to anyone in the community who has experienced the loss of a loved one due to a substance-related death, regardless of when the loss occurred.
Led by experienced facilitators from Adventist Health Clear Lake, the group provides a safe and supportive environment where participants can:
• Share their experiences and connect with others who understand their grief;
• Learn healthy coping strategies for navigating the emotional challenges of the holiday
season;
• Discover meaningful ways to honor and remember loved ones during the holidays;
• Receive comfort and encouragement from others walking a similar path.
“The holidays can amplify grief and make people feel more isolated,” said Fiona Bullock, palliative care social worker at Adventist Health Clear Lake. “Our goal is to create a caring space where individuals can talk openly about their loss, find comfort in shared understanding, and learn gentle ways to care for themselves through the season.”
The program is free of charge, and refreshments will be served.
No registration is required.
For more information, please call 707-995-5817.
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- Written by: California Department of Public Health
The California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, in an effort to assist Californians seeking help and support in response to the nationwide outbreak of infant botulism has opened a public-facing hotline for concerned parents and caregivers with questions about infant botulism.
The public can reach CDPH directly toll-free at 1-833-398-2022.
The public hotline, which is live now, is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Trained public health staff will be able to provide answers and information for concerned members of the public with questions about the current outbreak.
CDPH’s medical staffing line for health care providers and other medical professionals continues to operate 24/7.
Infant Botulism Outbreak Hotline
1-833-398-2022
Monday – Sunday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. PST
Public health investigation
CDPH helped identify an outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart Infant Formula. State public health officials are working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other states to investigate the outbreak.
The U.S. Food and Drug Branch announced that ByHeart had initiated a nationwide recall of all of its infant formula product.
CDPH and federal officials have recommended that anyone with ByHeart infant formula stop using it immediately and report any signs s of infant botulism to their health care provider as soon as possible.
Infant botulism
Infant botulism is the form of botulism which results when swallowed spores of a particular bacterium (Clostridium botulinum) colonize a baby's large intestine and produce botulinum toxin in it. Botulinum toxin causes muscle weakness because it blocks the nerve ending's ability to communicate with muscles. If left untreated, the condition can lead to respiratory failure and even death.
Resources for more information
CDPH Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program
CDPH Frequently Asked Questions about Infant Botulism
Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Infant Formula (CDC November 2025)
Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula, (FDA November 2025)
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