Cara M. Christ

/Cara Christ

About Cara Christ

Cara M. Christ, MD, Director Arizona Department of Health Services

ADHS and More Than 120 Organizations Recognized as Healthy Worksites

By | June 15th, 2017|Prevention|

I’m excited to announce that our department has been awarded a platinum award from the Healthy Arizona Worksites Program. Our vision at ADHS is to promote health and wellness for all Arizonans, and that starts with our team. We have several programs at ADHS—from wellness classes to breastfeeding support for new moms—that help make our [...]

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The 2017 ADVICE Collaborative is Coming Soon

By | June 14th, 2017|Preparedness|

In 2013, our Licensing and Infectious Disease Services teams partnered with the Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Program to develop a day-long ADVICE Collaborative conference aimed at improving infection control practices. The ADVICE Collaborative brings together licensed dialysis providers, the dialysis network, federal partners and public health professionals to find new ways to promote infection control, build relationships, and identify how public health can [...]

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Make Preparations for the Upcoming Monsoon Season

By | June 13th, 2017|Preparedness|

Monsoon season is fast-approaching and with it thunderstorm activity that will continue through September, during which more than half of Arizona’s yearly rainfall will occur. You and your family will be able to enjoy some great views of Arizona’s extreme weather, but it is also important to be aware that thunderstorms may result in alerts for flash flooding, high winds, and lightning. This [...]

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Announcing the SunWise Poster Contest Winner

By | June 12th, 2017|General, Preparedness|

The SunWise Program held its annual presentation for the winner of the “Be SunWise & Play Sun Smart Skin Cancer Prevention Poster Contest” on Saturday, May 13 at the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game. This year’s winner, Grecia Solorio (right), certainly scored a home run with her detailed and colorful poster illustration. Her [...]

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ADHS’ Rapid Response to a Public Health Emergency

By | June 9th, 2017|Prevention|

On Monday, Governor Doug Ducey declared a public health emergency to address the alarming increase in opioid deaths in Arizona. Our team immediately sprang into action, activating and fully staffing our Health Emergency Operations Center within hours so that the numerous programs and offices across ADHS have a coordinated system for responding to the Governor’s calls to [...]

Launching a Public Health Approach to Chronic Pain

By | June 8th, 2017|General, Prevention|

Earlier this week, Governor Doug Ducey issued a public health emergency declaration that calls for a statewide effort to put an end to opioid deaths in Arizona. The Governor declared the need for immediate action as the number of opioid overdoses and deaths increase at an alarming rate. Last week, we released the 2016 Opioid [...]

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Preparing for Mosquito Season

By | June 7th, 2017|Preparedness|

While some mosquitoes can be active throughout the year in parts of Arizona, peak season is usually April through October. So as we head into the warmer months, public health and vector control professionals have been attending training to ensure they are prepared to prevent and control mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile and Zika [...]

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State Loan Repayment Program Helps Provide Services to the Medically Underserved

By | June 6th, 2017|Prevention|

The Arizona State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) within the Bureau of Women’s and Children’s Health provides loan repayment incentives to eligible health care providers who commit to serve in Arizona’s medically underserved communities. Up to $65,000 of loan repayment assistance are available for physicians and dentists and up to $50,000 for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, [...]

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Arizona Declares State of Emergency in Opioid Epidemic

By | June 5th, 2017|Prevention|

Governor Doug Ducey issued his first public health emergency declaration today that calls for a statewide effort to put an end to opioid deaths in Arizona. The Governor declared the need for immediate action as the number of opioid overdoses and deaths increase at an alarming rate. Last week, we released the 2016 Opioid Report [...]

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Arizona Extreme Heat Planning Workshop 2017

By | June 2nd, 2017|Preparedness|

We have already had days topping 100 degrees in many parts of the state and even had our first heat advisory in Yuma.  It’s the perfect time of year to ensure that public health partners are working together to be ready for extreme heat in Arizona. Earlier this month, almost 70 representatives from organizations across [...]

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