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Press Releases
June 18, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Sonoma County issues health advisory due to poor air quality caused by current wildfires
The Sonoma County Health Officer today issued the following health advisory: Sonoma County residents are urged to limit outdoor activities in parts of the county with poor air quality caused by wildfire events both in and outside of Sonoma County. People may experience adverse health effects from the smoke over Sonoma County and across the region. Members of sensitive groups may experience effects that are more serious. Older adults, pregnant individuals, children and people with heart disease or respiratory illness should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion. Everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion. Take more breaks during outdoor activities. Read full story
June 18, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Preliminary 2024 Point-in-Time homeless count numbers rise as COVID-era programs end
After registering a decrease of 22 percent of people experiencing homelessness in Sonoma County in 2023, preliminary results of the Sonoma County Point-in-Time count for 2024 recorded an overall 11 percent increase. The annual one-day snapshot, conducted on January 26 from 5 to 10 a.m. across Sonoma County, located a total of 2,522 people experiencing homelessness, up from 2,266 in 2023 Read full story
May 14, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Sonoma County bans sale of e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco in unincorporated areas
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and e-cigarettes in unincorporated areas of the county. The changes to the county’s tobacco retail ordinance are in response to public health data that show e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco use increasing among high school-aged youth. Read full story
March 15, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Board of Supervisors unanimously approves resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis
By a unanimous 5-0 vote, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a resolution proposed by the Department of Health Services declaring racism to be a public health crisis. Read full story
March 08, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Board of Supervisors set to discuss declaring racism as a public health crisis
Preparing to join hundreds of cities and counties across the United States, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors at its March 12 meeting will consider adopting a resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis. Naming racism as a health crisis and committing to eliminate it within Sonoma County is considered another important step on the path to equity. Read full story
March 02, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Sonoma County health officials issue cold weather warning
The County of Sonoma today issued a cold weather warning in response to the National Weather Service frost advisory from midnight to 10 a.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service is also predicting sub-freezing wind chill temperatures from Sunday into early Monday. Officials recommend that residents limit time outdoors, as serious medical conditions including hypothermia and frostbite can develop with prolonged cold weather exposure. Read full story
February 27, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Measure O annual report shows increase in funding for essential homelessness, mental health services
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today accepted the Measure O update and annual report for fiscal year 2022–23. Presented by the Citizen’s Oversight Committee for Measure O, a quarter-cent sales tax that was approved by voters in 2020 to fund mental health, substance abuse disorder and homelessness services, the annual report provides an update on the growing list of achievements attained during this second full year of the measure. Read full story
January 05, 2024 | Department of Health Services
Sonoma County health officials issue cold weather warning
The County of Sonoma today issued a cold weather warning in response to the National Weather Service frost advisory from midnight to 10 a.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service is also predicting sub-freezing wind chill temperatures from Sunday into early Monday. Officials recommend that residents limit time outdoors, as serious medical conditions including hypothermia and frostbite can develop with prolonged cold weather exposure. Read full story
December 14, 2023 | Department of Health Services
Memorial to honor lives lost in Sonoma County’s unhoused community
On December 21, National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, HomeFirst and the Sonoma County Department of Health Services will host a memorial to honor individuals who lost their lives over the last year while living without housing in Sonoma County. The event will take place at the Arlene Francis Center, 99 6th St., Santa Rosa, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Read full story
December 12, 2023 | Department of Health Services
Mobile Crisis Units to expand countywide by year’s end
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved plans to expand Mobile Crisis Units, teams of mental health professionals who respond to emergency calls that do not involve law enforcement, throughout the county by the end of the year. Read full story