Arizona Department of Health Services, Director’s Blog

Healthcare Associated Infections Progress Report

haiprogressreportHealthcare-Associated infections are a major (often preventable) threat to patient safety. Last week the National and State Healthcare Associated Infections Progress Report expanded on previous reports– detailing progress toward the eliminating healthcare-associated infections.  The HAI Progress Report found significant reductions for nearly all infections- including in AZ. Central […]

By | April 8th, 2014|Licensing|2 Comments

And Now, the Rest of the State

Now that the transition to a new Behavioral Health Authority in Maricopa County is underway- we’re turning our attention to bringing integrated care to the rest of the state.  We’ll be working hard throughout 2014 to set the course for integrating behavioral health and physical health for folks with a serious mental illness as we select behavioral health authorities […]

By | April 7th, 2014|Behavioral Health|2 Comments

Prom Tools for Parents

PromIn the next few weeks many AZ teens will be attending proms.  While proms can have positive memories, the experiences can turn tragic when alcohol is part of the mix.  Alcohol impairs judgment…  potentially leading to sexual assault, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and deadly car crashes.  Car crashes are the

By | April 3rd, 2014|Prevention|Comments Off on Prom Tools for Parents

Farm Bill Provides Public Health Intervention Options

farmbillThe passage of the Farm Bill  (the  Agricultural Act of 2014)  includes some changes and reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.  In Arizona, SNAP benefits help put healthy food on the table for more than one million people each month, with more […]

By | April 1st, 2014|Prevention|Comments Off on Farm Bill Provides Public Health Intervention Options

Ebola

ebolaIf you’re like me, your introduction to Ebola virus came in the 1990s with the bestseller nonfiction thriller The Hot Zone and loosely-based film Outbreak.  The descriptions of a deadly hemorrhagic fever that quickly spread through the population were terrifying, as were the life-threatening dangers posed to the […]

By | March 31st, 2014|Preparedness|Comments Off on Ebola