Contra Costa Times: Foreclosures' heavy toll on health

Maria Ramirez is one of the fortunate ones. She's lived for more than 10 years with her family in ZIP code 94621 in Oakland, one the East Bay neighborhoods hardest hit by home foreclosures. But she fought back when Wachovia Bank began foreclosing on her house in 2009, and won an affordable loan modification. Her victory doesn't only secure stable housing for Ramirez and her family. In a little-discussed aspect of the foreclosure crisis gripping the nation, it also protects the Ramirez's long-term mental and physical health.