Cara M. Christ

/Cara Christ

About Cara Christ

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

HIV Symposium Showcases Accomplishments and Looks to Future

By | March 17th, 2016|Prevention|

The two-day Integrated HIV Symposium that was hosted by our HIV Prevention and Ryan White Part B Programs, and the Maricopa County Ryan White Part A Program was a huge success. More than 175 people attended presentations from individuals who have been locally and nationally recognized for their HIV work. Participants included state and county health department [...]

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Arizona Receives Funding to Promote One Health Education among Youth

By | March 16th, 2016|Preparedness|

The Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists and the CDC selected ADHS as an award recipient for the 2016 Influenza Education among Youth in Agriculture Project. This project will be conducted in collaboration between our Vector-borne and Zoonotic Disease Program, Arizona Department of Agriculture, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, and Midwestern University College of Veterinary [...]

State Loan Repayment Program Rules and Webinars Online

By | March 15th, 2016|Prevention|

Many of you may recall the expansion of the State Loan Repayment Program back in February 2015 when the Governor signed Senate Bill 1194. The bill enhanced the program by expanding the types of providers who can receive loan repayment assistance, increasing the award amounts that eligible providers may receive and removing the four-year service cap. When the law [...]

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National Nutrition Month Savor the Flavor of Eating Right

By | March 14th, 2016|Prevention|

As part of National Nutrition Month we should all take time to find ways to eat and enjoy healthier meals. Healthily eating is essential to achieving our best health for both today and tomorrow . There are many healthy ways to add flavor to food while enjoying delicious meals together. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines and MyPlate recommendations provide a [...]

Take the Arizona Children’s Health Survey

By | March 11th, 2016|Prevention|

We are partnering with county health departments to conduct the Arizona Children’s Health Survey in their communities to learn about our children’s health and better understand the experiences of families in meeting their children’s needs across the state. Results of the survey will help identify what is currently working well in your community related to children’s health, [...]

Statewide Planning for Zika Preparedness

By | March 10th, 2016|Preparedness|

While Arizona is holding steady with no Zika cases reported (yet), we are still working hard to make sure we’re prepared at the state and local levels to respond to cases of Zika virus infection and take steps to prevent disease spread within our communities. Public health, environmental health, and vector control agencies across the state [...]

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Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention in Arizona

By | March 9th, 2016|Preparedness|

If you’ve caught the news lately, you’ve probably seen reports of lead poisoning in other states linked to contaminated drinking water. Lead poisoning is a serious health concern – especially in children. Lead poisoning can damage children’s intelligence, behavior, hearing, or growth, and the only way to detect the condition is through blood testing. Last [...]

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Arizona Leading the Way to Promote Diabetes Self-Management

By | March 8th, 2016|Prevention|

In a recent report by the CDC, Arizona was ranked number one in diabetes self-management education, with an increase of 34 percent participation by residents with diabetes from 2012 to 2014. Diabetes self-management education help people with diabetes build the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for self-care. Our goal is to improve clinical outcomes across [...]

Groundwater Awareness Week

By | March 7th, 2016|Preparedness|

March 6 through 12 marks the 18th National Groundwater Awareness Week. Groundwater is the water that soaks into the soil from rain or other precipitation and moves downward to fill cracks and other openings in beds of rocks and sand. Most groundwater flows directly into streams, rivers and lakes from below. Groundwater contamination is of [...]

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Arizona Making Progress Against Healthcare-Associated Infections

By | March 4th, 2016|Preparedness|

On March 3rd, the CDC released the National and State Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report for 2014 National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) data.  This annual report provides an update on previous reports, detailing state and national progress towards reducing, and ultimately eliminating, HAIs.   The infection types highlighted in the report include Central Line-Associated [...]

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