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Editorial: Follow Rubio's lead on valley fever funding

VALLEY FEVER COSTS MOUNT FOR PATIENTS AND TAXPAYERS

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Editorial: Follow Rubio's lead on valley fever funding

In an editorial, the Bakersfield Californian praises state Sen. Michael Rubio "for stepping forward and pledging to do something about the rise in valley fever cases we've seen in recent years."

Follow Rubio's lead on valley fever funding
Reporting on Health Collaborative
Friday, September 28, 2012

Kudos to state Sen. Michael Rubio for stepping forward and pledging to do something about the rise in valley fever cases we've seen in recent years. Rubio, D-Shafter, is planning to craft legislation to help fund the stalled search for a vaccine. He will also hold a town hall on valley fever in Bakersfield next week to collect information.

Hopefully, Rubio is just one of several local leaders prepared to step forward and champion the cause by pumping in more attention and funding. An ongoing series by reporters from The Californian and the Reporting on Health collaborative has revealed that cases of the deadly fungal infection are increasing drastically. Along with the rise in infection rates, suffering and deaths, costs are rising, too. And we are all paying for that.

Originally published on September 25, 2012 by The Bakersfield Californian

Photo credit: Felix Adamo / The Californian

About This Series

This project results from an innovative reporting venture – the Center for Health Journalism Collaborative – which currently involves the Bakersfield Californian, Radio Bilingüe in Fresno, Valley Public Radio in Fresno and Bakersfield, Vida en el Valle in Fresno, Hanford Sentinel, the Voice of OC in Santa Ana, the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, La Estrella de Tucsón and the Center for Health Journalism. The collaborative is an initiative of the Center for Health Journalism at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

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