Arizona Department of Health Services, Director’s Blog

Mental Health is an Essential Component of 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 available to anyone who […]

By | July 18th, 2016|Behavioral Health|Comments Off on Mental Health is an Essential Component of Health

Food Desert Summit Looks for Ways to Increase Access to Nutritious Foods

Many Arizona residents live in food deserts, which are areas that lack healthy, affordable, good-quality food. Having access to nutritious food requires that food be available in the community and that households can afford it. In Arizona, twenty-one and a half percent of households with children are food insecure. Childhood […]

By | July 15th, 2016|Prevention|Comments Off on Food Desert Summit Looks for Ways to Increase Access to Nutritious Foods

Measles Outbreak Update: Is the End in Sight?

For the past several weeks, local and state public health have identified cases of measles in both detainees and staff members at a federal detention center in Eloy, Arizona; however no cases have been identified in community members unrelated to the facility. For the past week we have been holding steady […]

By | July 14th, 2016|Preparedness|Comments Off on Measles Outbreak Update: Is the End in Sight?

As weather heats up, flu winds down in Arizona

Over the past few weeks, flu activity across the state has been decreasing. It’s not a break for the flu team though. Flu cases still occur and surveillance activities continue throughout the summer; however, activities are different in the non-peak activity (summer) and peak activity (winter) seasons.

During the summer, case investigations are performed on […]

By | July 13th, 2016|Preparedness|Comments Off on As weather heats up, flu winds down in Arizona

E. coli Outbreak Linked to Flour and Dough Products

iStock_000012553104XSmallIs it really true? Could cookie dough make us sick? If you’ve been watching or reading the news lately, you may have heard about a new outbreak that is linked to dough made with contaminated flour. What is unusual about this outbreak is that the source was not from the […]

By | July 12th, 2016|Preparedness|Comments Off on E. coli Outbreak Linked to Flour and Dough Products

Moving Forward in Arizona’s Dialysis Facilities

Profile of Renal Nurse with mask onThis year marked the fourth year that our Bureau of Medical Facilities Licensing partnered with stakeholders to provide a day-long educational session for end-stage renal dialysis (ESRD) providers in Arizona. This year we saw an increase in attendees from other states. Approximately 135 participants […]

By | July 11th, 2016|Licensing|3 Comments