Newsroom
Making travel plans? Make sure you are immunized against measles
Public health departments urge vaccination before international travel
People planning international travel should ensure they have already received the recommended two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Nationwide, measles cases now total 704 in 2019, the highest since 1994. Nearly all these cases have been linked back to international travel by unvaccinated people and subsequent spread in unvaccinated populations in the U.S.
Mental Health Awareness Month
Events Spread “Words of Wellness” through Local Libraries
San Mateo County Health’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services division joins the state and country in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) this May to inspire action towards reducing stigma and discrimination against persons with mental health and substance use conditions.
Statement about recent local measles cases
Statement from Cassius Lockett, PhD
Director, Public Health, Policy, and Planning
San Mateo County Health
Take Charge of Your Sexual Health: Get Tested
Young people and men who have sex with men (MSM) are encouraged to get tested for STDs
April is sexually transmitted disease (STD) awareness month. It is essential to know about STDs and how prevention and testing are critical to overall health.
However, STD Awareness Month is not just about awareness but also about action. Bay Area health officials, including those in San Mateo County, are urging everyone who is sexually active to take charge of their sexual health. Young people and men who have sex with men are at particular risk and should get tested more often.
It’s time to know your tuberculosis status and risk
Testing and treatment are key to TB elimination
The California Department of Public Health has announced that 2,091 new cases of tuberculosis (TB) disease were identified in the state in 2018, an increase compared to the 2,059 cases reported in 2017. Tuberculosis is one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases and is one of the top ten causes of death, causing more deaths each year than HIV/AIDS. San Mateo County Health continues to advocate for increased testing and treatment of latent TB infection because treatment prevents people from developing TB disease.
Harley-Riding Santa Delivers Gifts to Kids at San Mateo Medical Center
Public invited to meet Santa and help brighten young patients’ holidays
WHAT: On Saturday, December 8th, Santa will lead the Golden Gate Harley Owners group (HOGs) to deliver hundreds of gifts for children who receive care at San Mateo Medical Center, the county’s public hospital. This year’s Holiday Toy Run marks the 29th anniversary of the event.
The public and media are invited to cheer on the riders, meet Santa, and attend a free reception hosted by the medical center’s volunteers and staff.
San Mateo County Encourages Residents to Keep Benefits and Enroll in Affordable Health Coverage
San Mateo, CA – In the wake of the proposed changes to federal “public charge” immigration rules, which define how an immigrant resident’s application to enter the country or receive a green card is assessed, San Mateo County advises everyone to utilize the benefits they need and remain available to them.
11th Annual Award Ceremony Honoring “Housing Heroes”
San Mateo County Health recognizes individuals who help people with mental health and substance use conditions secure stable housing
SAN MATEO, CA—On October 18, two San Mateo County organizations—the Change Agent Housing Committee and Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS, a division of San Mateo County Health)—will honor local leaders for their contributions to the community. The Housing Heroes program honors community partners and colleagues who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in providing or maintaining housing for individuals with mental health and/or substances use issues in San Mateo County.
San Mateo County Health Launches New Data Portal to Promote Community Health Collaboration
Data can inform funding & policy choices
San Mateo County Health has launched a new data portal to provide comprehensive and detailed information to increase collaboration and participation in the health of our community.
Thousands to Clean Up San Mateo County on 34th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day
Statewide Initiative Draws Local Volunteers
Thousands of San Mateo County residents will gather at their local beaches, creeks, waterways, parks, and neighborhoods to remove tons of trash and debris for California’s 34th annual Coastal Cleanup Day on September 15, 2018. Residents are invited to participate in this important volunteer event alongside thousands of people across the state in an effort to support the health of our communities and the local environment.
San Mateo County Celebrates National Recovery Month
Behavioral Health is essential to health: prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover.
Throughout September, Recovery Month celebrates people who have reclaimed their lives through recovery from substance use and mental health conditions and honors the greater community that makes recovery possible.
Join the Voices for Recovery, Invest in Health, Home, Purpose & Community
Fifth Year Enrollment for Affordable Health Coverage Begins November 1
San Mateo County focuses on insuring immigrant population
The 2018 enrollment period for Californians to sign up for affordable health insurance begins Wednesday, November 1. Tens of thousands of San Mateo County residents will be able to join over four million people who now have affordable health coverage through California’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act and Covered California, the State’s health insurance marketplace. Over 24,700 County residents successfully signed up for or renewed qualified health insurance plans at Covered California during last year’s enrollment period.
San Mateo County Partners Host 5th Annual Latino Health Forum
¡Sana, Sana, Colita de Rana! Cuidate Hoy Para Un Mejor Mañana
To support the Latino community’s physical and emotional health, the San Mateo County Latino Collaborative is hosting the 5th Annual Latino Health Forum, ¡Sana, Sana! “Colita de Rana! Cuidate Hoy Para Un Mejor Mañana,” or “Take Care of Yourself Today for a Better Tomorrow,” highlighting the event’s focus on a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
San Mateo County Commission on Disabilities Helps Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities Take Control of their Future
Join the “Stepping Up for Independence!” San Mateo County Transition to Independence Fair on October 21st
WHAT: On Saturday, October 21, more than 50 community organizations and agencies throughout San Mateo County will gather to provide information and resources to assist over 300 youth and young adults with disabilities, many of whom are transitioning to independence, and provide support for their families.
Join the San Mateo County Pride Celebration on June 4
Celebrate the diversity and inclusiveness of San Mateo County at the fourth annual San Mateo County Pride Celebration! This year’s theme is Pride without Borders: Embracing Culture and Diversity, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing how culture, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity overlap and affect our community.
Over 2,750 Local Kids Get More Comprehensive Health Coverage in One Day
On May 16, over 2,750 San Mateo County children transitioned to health coverage under Medi-Cal, ensuring they will have high-quality health coverage that provides access to healthcare across California. San Mateo County agencies and partners helped make this seamless transition possible — an example of their commitment to ensuring there are no gaps in health coverage for those who need it most.
San Mateo County Substance Use Disorder Treatment Plan Approved First in the State
Soon, San Mateo County residents who are low income and struggle with substance use will have more places to go for help. Last month, San Mateo County became the first county in the state to receive approval from the California Department of Health Care Services and Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to create a local Drug MediCal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) program.
San Mateo County Hosts 4th Annual Pride Celebration “Without Borders”
On June 4, celebrate the diversity and inclusiveness of San Mateo County at the fourth annual San Mateo County Pride Celebration, 11am to 5pm, in San Mateo Central Park. This year’s theme is Pride without Borders: Embracing Culture and Diversity, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing how culture, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity overlap and affect our community.
Be the One during May’s Mental Health Awareness Month
San Mateo County Health System’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is partnering with local organizations throughout the month of May to raise awareness about mental illness and substance use issues, and the importance of getting help.
Tenth ‘Silver Dragon’ Exercise Tests County Readiness for Emergencies
On April 14, from 9:00 am to noon, San Mateo County Health System staff will join local response teams in a large preparedness exercise designed to practice how each group would respond during a major emergency.
San Mateo County Has First Confirmed Case of Zika Virus
San Mateo County Health System today received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that a San Mateo County resident has tested positive for Zika virus. The individual was infected with Zika virus while traveling abroad and is now fully recovered. No transmission of the disease took place in the United States, and there was no risk of the virus spreading to the local community from this case. To protect patient privacy, San Mateo County is not releasing further details about the confirmed Zika case.
County Launches Life-Saving App to Help Heart Attack Survival
On February 23, the County of San Mateo will launch PulsePoint—a free mobile app that alerts registered CPR-trained users of a heart attack victim in a public place in their immediate vicinity. Users can then start CPR in the critical minutes before emergency teams arrive.
Dr. Susan Ehrlich Steps Down as CEO of San Mateo Medical Center
San Mateo County Health System today announced that Dr. Susan Ehrlich will be stepping down as CEO of San Mateo Medical Center to accept a new position as CEO of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Her last day at the Medical Center is March 31, 2016.
New San Mateo County Restaurant Placarding Program Starts in 2016
The new year brings an easier way for the public to understand how restaurants score on food safety inspections, as San Mateo County started to roll out its new restaurant placarding program on January 1, 2016.
Partners across San Mateo County target uninsured “hotspots”
With the January 31 deadline for Californians to sign up for affordable health insurance fast approaching, a network of agencies, community organizations, and hundreds of individuals across San Mateo County are partnering to help every uninsured resident have access to quality, affordable health insurance.
Santa Speeds to San Mateo Medical Center on Harley Loaded with Gifts
Public invited to meet Santa and help brighten young patients’ holidays
On Saturday, December 12, the Golden Gate Harley Owners Group (HOGs) and Santa will rumble into San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) to deliver thousands of gifts for children who receive care at the medical center during the holidays. This year’s Holiday Toy Run marks the 26th anniversary of the event.