Arizona Department of Health Services, Director’s Blog

Food Safety Tips for Halloween

Halloween is loved by children and adults alike. As Halloween approaches, the Arizona Department of Health Services encourages families to celebrate in a safe and healthy way. Parents should talk to their children about Halloween food safety.

Tell children not to accept – and especially not to eat – anything that isn’t […]

By | October 29th, 2015|General|2 Comments

Transitioning Behavioral Health Services

The only true constant is change, particularly when you are part of a team committed to
continuously improving the health and wellness of all Arizonans. October 1 was an important day for the behavioral health system in Arizona with four significant system transformations occurring simultaneously. The Division of Behavioral Health Services, with a
lot of […]

By | October 28th, 2015|Behavioral Health|1 Comment

Pediatricians Promoting Food Security for All Children

iStock_000021870837MediumIt seems hard to believe that one in every five children in the United States lives in a home where there isn’t access to enough healthy food for an active, healthy life for all household members. Here in Arizona, the numbers are estimated to be even higher, affecting as many […]

By | October 27th, 2015|General|Comments Off on Pediatricians Promoting Food Security for All Children

Lead Poisoning Prevention Awareness

In Arizona, more than 800 children each year are identified with elevated blood lead levels. Even at low blood lead levels, children’s intelligence, behavior, hearing and growth can be irreparably damaged.

To increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation to kick off Arizona’s Lead Poisoning […]

By | October 26th, 2015|Prevention|Comments Off on Lead Poisoning Prevention Awareness

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection

mrsaRecent media has highlighted one of the most common antibiotic-resistant-bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In the US, over 2 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and more than 23,000 people die due to these infections. Anyone can get MRSA and infections range from mild to very serious, even life-threatening. Most […]

By | October 23rd, 2015|General|Comments Off on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection

Empower Newsletter Debut

iStock_000006974495NoBackroundsmThis month our department  shared the first monthly Empower Newsletter focusing on policy development and implementation of the Empower Standards.

Empower is a collaborative effort throughout ADHS. The Bureau of Child Care Licensing enrolls centers and small group homes in Empower and monitors implementation. The Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity […]

By | October 22nd, 2015|Prevention|Comments Off on Empower Newsletter Debut