Cara M. Christ

/Cara Christ

About Cara Christ

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

Childhood Lead Poisoning Surveillance Report Just Released

By | October 11th, 2017|Preparedness|

Our Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program has just released their 2016 Annual Blood Lead Surveillance Report. The report describes statewide and county level data, including a breakdown of elevated blood lead levels and screening rates in high-risk zip codes. More than 59,000 children under the age of 6 were tested for lead across the state [...]

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Infant at Work Program Wins National Award

By | October 5th, 2017|Prevention|

Our ADHS Infant at Work program has earned national recognition from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the de Beaumont Foundation. The Infant at Work program won an inaugural Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) Model Policies and Practices Challenge Best State award. The challenge highlights workforce innovations [...]

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New Online Death Registration System Goes Live

By | October 4th, 2017|Licensing|

The Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records (ADHS) operates multiple statewide electronic systems that enable ADHS and our partners to submit records of vital events for registration and ultimately issuance to the public.  On Monday, ADHS implemented new death registration and Vital Records issuance system that will be used, in coordination with partners statewide, [...]

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Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes When Traveling to Mexico

By | October 3rd, 2017|Preparedness|

The month of October is high mosquito season in Sonora, Mexico and there have been reports of local transmission of dengue and Zika viruses. With the upcoming three-day weekend and many schools on fall break over the next several weeks, it’s important to remind Arizonans about increased mosquito activity in Sonora in the event they [...]

Mental Health Support Available

By | October 2nd, 2017|Behavioral Health|

In light of the recent tragedies occurring in the U.S. and around the world, there is help locally, if you need support. Mercy Maricopa, which oversees the crisis system in Maricopa County, has activated a dedicated 24/7 crisis line in response to the recent shootings. Crisis Response Network operates the line, 1-800-203-CARE (2273), and it’s [...]

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Adding Whole Grains to Your Diet Can Improve Your Overall Health

By | September 28th, 2017|Prevention|

Whole Grains Month is a great time for everyone to get on the whole grains bandwagon. Eating better is not an all-or-nothing choice; every little improvement makes for a healthier you all year long. Studies show that eating whole grains instead of refined grains lowers the risk of many chronic diseases. While three or more [...]

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World Rabies Day Celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary

By | September 27th, 2017|Preparedness|

On September 28th, partners around the globe will celebrate the 10th anniversary of World Rabies Day to raise awareness about the impact of rabies and how to prevent the disease. Rabies is a virus that can cause serious damage to the nervous system of humans and animals, and is almost always fatal once symptoms develop. [...]

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Federal Grant will Help ADHS Efforts to Reduce Opioid Deaths

By | September 26th, 2017|Preparedness|

Our Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System has been awarded $3.1 million by the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for development of a comprehensive first responder opioid/naloxone program in partnership with the University of Arizona and the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training board. Naloxone is a medication [...]

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Manufactured Food in Arizona Earns National Award

By | September 25th, 2017|Preparedness|

Our Food Safety and Environmental Services Program was recently awarded a cooperative agreement from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The funding will provide support to build a nationally integrated food safety system through participation in the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards. The funding will also provide local oversight and support to Arizona businesses involved in the [...]

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ADHS Earns Elite National Accreditation

By | September 22nd, 2017|General|

The Arizona Department of Health Services is now a nationally accredited public health agency! This week the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) awarded our agency this prominent designation that recognizes the innovative work we do to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing and transforming the quality of our statewide public health [...]

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