Arizona Department of Health Services, Director’s Blog

Smoking Can Cause More than Lung Cancer

Most people associate lung cancer with tobacco use, but using tobacco can cause several other types of cancers. Using tobacco increases the risk for cancers of the mouth, lips, nose and sinuses, larynx (voice box) pharynx (throat), esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterus, cervix, colon/rectum, and ovary (mucinous), as well […]

By | February 15th, 2017|Prevention|Comments Off on Smoking Can Cause More than Lung Cancer

WIC Provides a Community of Support

The supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is the nation’s most successful and cost-effective public health nutrition program. The Arizona WIC Program provides free healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding services, and community referrals for income-eligible women who are pregnant or postpartum, infants, and children up to five years old. WIC connects moms with resources outside of […]

By | February 14th, 2017|Prevention|Comments Off on WIC Provides a Community of Support

Emergency Drill Tests Response to Public Health Crisis

Our Health Emergency Operations Center activated last week as part of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station annual emergency drill. Federal regulations mandate Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station and its emergency response partners conduct regular preparedness drills and exercises. During a public health emergency, the Health Emergency Operations Center activates […]

By | February 13th, 2017|Preparedness|Comments Off on Emergency Drill Tests Response to Public Health Crisis

Leptospirosis on the Rise in Arizona Dogs: Know How to Keep You and Your Dog Safe

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can affect people and animals. The bacteria can be found in soil and water and can be carried and spread in the urine of infected animals (including rodents, wildlife, pets, and livestock). Dogs can become infected with leptospirosis. Symptoms in dogs include fever, lethargy, […]

By | February 10th, 2017|Preparedness|10 Comments

Coffee and Tea “Add-Ins” Add Up

You might be surprised to learn that what we add to our coffee and tea may be adding up when we count our calories for the day. A recent study in the scientific journal, Public Health, found that about two thirds of coffee drinkers and one third of tea drinkers add […]

By | February 9th, 2017|Prevention|Comments Off on Coffee and Tea “Add-Ins” Add Up

Keep Your Kids Safe from the Sun all Year to Reduce the Risk of Cancer

Practicing good sun safety is important at any age, but it is especially important for children since much of a person’s lifetime exposure to the sun occurs before age 18. Arizona residents are at risk for developing skin cancer because our sunny state has areas of high environmental exposure and limited […]

By | February 8th, 2017|Prevention|Comments Off on Keep Your Kids Safe from the Sun all Year to Reduce the Risk of Cancer