Arizona Department of Health Services, Director’s Blog

Updated Infection Control Prevention Guidelines

hospital settingThe Society for Hospital Epidemiology of America and the Infectious Diseases Society of America partnered with several healthcare organizations to publish evidence-based and best practice recommendations for preventing healthcare-associated infections in acute care hospitals.  Referred to as the “SHEA Compendium”, these recommendations have served as a cornerstone […]

By | August 19th, 2014|Prevention|Comments Off on Updated Infection Control Prevention Guidelines

Association v. Causation

Matt TattooOne of the key objectives of public health is to assess the cause of disease or bad outcomes so we can design interventions.  In order to do that, we need to be able to tell the difference between when something is actually “causing” an outcome and when the exposure or […]

By | August 18th, 2014|General|Comments Off on Association v. Causation

Life Coach Tips for College Freshmen

teenGoing to college is fun and exciting.  As is the case with all life transitions, getting some helpful hints in advance can smooth out the adjustment time and help create a better and healthier outcome.  Make it a point to review the following “life coach tips” with your young adult (like I’ve […]

By | August 15th, 2014|Prevention|3 Comments

The 5th “Vital Sign” & the Painkiller Epidemic (Part III of V)

prescriptionIn Part I and Part II of this series we’ve introduced the idea that contemporary pain management strategies have resulted in an epidemic of painkiller misuse and abuse that’s killing large numbers of people.  In fact, misuse and abuse of opiate prescription painkillers takes out more people every year […]

By | August 14th, 2014|General|Comments Off on The 5th “Vital Sign” & the Painkiller Epidemic (Part III of V)

Suicide & Depression: A Critical Arizona Winnable Battle

iStock_000041434018_blogDepression strikes more people than you might think.  Some 300,000 people in Arizona live with major depression.  It may take years from when symptoms first emerge and to when people finally get help.  Less than one-third of adults with a diagnosed mental illness receive treatment.  Often, it’s the friends and family […]

By | August 12th, 2014|General|Comments Off on Suicide & Depression: A Critical Arizona Winnable Battle