Cara M. Christ

/Cara Christ

About Cara Christ

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

Cough? Fever? Exhausted? You could have Valley Fever

By | November 29th, 2017|Preparedness|

All it takes is one breath. An estimated 150,000 people are infected each year in the U.S. by the fungus that causes valley fever (coccidioidomycosis). The fungus is mostly found in the Southwest with nearly two-thirds of all nationally reported cases residing in Arizona. Arizonans in every county are affected by valley fever year-round. Our newly released annual [...]

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Vital Records Staff Participate in National Adoption Day

By | November 28th, 2017|Licensing|

National Adoption Day, which took place this year on Nov.18, is an annual event held to raise awareness for more than 100,000 foster-care children nationwide who are waiting to find their forever families. Adoptions for hundreds of children are finalized on this special day. This year 261 children were adopted in Maricopa County. Our Bureau of [...]

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Informatics Improves Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance

By | November 27th, 2017|Preparedness|

Informatics is the science behind storing, accessing, and sharing information, a critical component to public health practice. Public health organizations, such as ADHS face challenges collecting and analyzing data related to the health of a population and managing this data in the most efficient and effective ways. The ability to store and analyze data allows public [...]

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Tips for Visiting Friends and Loved Ones in Long-term Care and Assisted Living Facilities During the Holidays

By | November 21st, 2017|Licensing|

During the holiday season our thoughts often turn to visiting friends or loved ones in long-term care and assisted living facilities. The visits, while strongly recommended by those involved in health care and aging, are sometimes very emotional. We recommend that Arizonans who visit relatives or friends during the holidays should first plan ahead to [...]

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Join the Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge

By | November 20th, 2017|General, Prevention|

Did you know that most of us gain between one and five pounds each holiday season? While it might not sound like much, most people never manage to lose those extra pounds. I invite you to join the Maintain, Don't Gain! Holiday Challenge. This free seven-week challenge will give you tips, tricks, and ideas to [...]

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ADHS Programs and Services Help to Increase Rates of Healthy Pregnancies

By | November 17th, 2017|Prevention|

Every year the March of Dimes releases grades based on the final National Center for Health Statistics data.  Arizona received a “B” grade for the 2017 Premature Birth Report Card. While the preterm birth rate worsened in 43 states in 2016, the rate remained the same in Arizona. A premature birth is defined as the [...]

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Arizona Hosts the Second Annual “Protect You and the Zoo from Flu” with Wildlife World Zoo

By | November 16th, 2017|General|

On Saturday November 18, ADHS and Maricopa County Department of Public Health join in a new partnership with the Wildlife World Zoo to host a free influenza vaccine clinic accompanied with outreach on disease prevention. Last year at the Phoenix Zoo, the “Protect You and the Zoo from the Flu” event was successful in allowing public health officials to [...]

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We’re Celebrating National Rural Health Day

By | November 15th, 2017|General|

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) joins the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) to commemorate the National Rural Health Day on Thursday, November 16, 2017.  This day is an opportunity to be informed about rural healthcare in America and to understand that Americans living in rural areas have significant health [...]

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Take Time to Learn About the Safe Way to Use Antibiotics

By | November 13th, 2017|Preparedness|

2017 Antibiotic Awareness Week (formerly “Get Smart Week”), November 13 to 19, is an annual one-week observance to raise awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use. This week helps to increase awareness of improving appropriate use of antibiotics in communities, in healthcare facilities, and even on the farm! Each [...]

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