PASADENA, Calif.—Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month in May to bring attention to the importance of mental health and promote resources for well-being. Mental illness is a widespread issue that affects people of all ages, backgrounds and socioeconomic status. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five U.S. adults and one in six children between the ages of six and 17 experience mental illness each year. Additionally, the stigma surrounding mental illness causes...
Pasadena Public Health Department
Public Invited to 'Spring Into Wellness' Community Health Festival
PASADENA, Calif.—The public is invited to Spring Into Wellness, a free community health festival on Saturday, April 29, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., at Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. This event is sponsored by Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) and community partners, and features free food, family-fun activities, health screenings, educational workshops, a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, and information on programs and services for well-being. “This is a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together again,” said...
Pasadena Health Officer Orders Require COVID-19 Booster Vaccine and Masking for Healthcare Workers
PASADENA, Calif.—Interim Health Officer Dr. Eric G. Handler issued updated health officer orders related to COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare workers and masking requirements in healthcare facilities. The updated orders take effect on Monday, April 3 at 12:01 a.m. Vaccination: All healthcare workers must be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations by completing a COVID-19 primary series and receiving the most recent booster dose within 15 days of becoming eligible as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Pasadena Outreach Response Team Receives $900,000 Federal Grant
PASADENA, Calif.—The Pasadena Outreach Response Team (PORT) is receiving $900,000 through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, via Congressional Directive Spending allocated by Congressmember Judy Chu (CA-28). PORT is a collaboration between the Pasadena Public Health and Fire Departments, as well as Union Station Homeless Services and Huntington Health, that provides links to housing opportunities for those experiencing chronic homelessness, severe mental illness, substance use disorders,...
Pasadena Health Officer Rescinds Certain Local Orders, Aligns Pasadena With State's New COVID-19 Guidelines
PASADENA, Calif.—On Monday, March 13, Interim Health Officer Dr. Eric G. Handler rescinded certain local orders related to COVID-19 isolation, quarantine, and masking in public settings. Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) will continue enhanced protective measures in healthcare settings. The rescission aligns the City of Pasadena with the following new guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH): Masking With current COVID-19 case and hospitalization levels, masking for the general public is based on individual preference. Vulnerable populations,...
Pasadena City Council Votes to End COVID-19 Local Public Health Emergency
PASADENA, Calif.—At the March 6 council meeting, Pasadena City Council voted to adopt a resolution to terminate the local public health emergency. This action was recommended by Acting Director of Public Health Manuel Carmona and Interim Health Officer Dr. Eric G. Handler. With City Council’s adoption of the resolution, the COVID-19 local public health emergency in Pasadena ends effective immediately. The local public health emergency enabled the City to mobilize staff to respond to the pandemic and access state and...
Pasadena Ends Local COVID-19 Health Emergency
PASADENA, Calif.—Interim Health Officer Dr. Eric G. Handler has announced that Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) will terminate the local public health emergency for COVID-19, effective 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 5. The end of the public health emergency comes as community spread of COVID-19 has decreased locally and statewide. Acting Director of Public Health Manuel Carmona will recommend the City Council ratify a resolution terminating both the local public health emergency and local emergency at the City Council Meeting...
City’s PEDAL Website Launches New Feature to Increase Transparency Regarding Skilled Nursing and Long-Term Care Facilities
PASADENA, Calif.—In an ongoing effort to provide information and transparency to the community, the Pasadena Elderly and Dependent Adult Liaisons (PEDAL) website now includes a Facility Information and Complaint Resources portal. This portal provides direct access to California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) information for each Pasadena skilled nursing and long-term care facility, along with complaint resources. The PEDAL website also includes several new critical information bulletins intended to provide operational guidance to...
Dr. Eric Handler Named City of Pasadena’s Interim Health Officer
PASADENA, Calif.—Dr. Eric Handler has been contracted to serve as interim health officer for the City of Pasadena, effective immediately. He will serve as interim health officer while Pasadena Public Health Director and Health Officer Dr. Ying-Ying Goh participates in a 12-month prestigious fellowship in Washington, D.C. Dr. Handler is a retired public health consultant. His prior work experience, education and training makes him highly qualified to perform the functions and duties of a health officer. His primary duties will...
Pasadena City Manager Proclaims Mpox a Local Emergency
PASADENA, Calif.—Interim City Manager Cynthia Kurtz has proclaimed a local emergency to strengthen the City’s preparedness and ability to respond to the virus. In an effort to stop the spread of monkeypox and make the monkeypox vaccine more readily accessible to those at highest risk, Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) is also expanding the eligibility criteria for the vaccine, effective immediately. “We are continuing to work proactively to protect the health of our community, and this proclamation allows us to...