Arizona Department of Health Services, Director’s Blog

Maternal Folate Status and Autism

a7b74bf9e6344c27abccde3b627842c9A recent review in the British Journal of Nutrition suggests that a pregnant woman’s folate status in early pregnancy may alter the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in her child. Recognizing that ASD is “complex, heterogeneous, and multi-causal,” researchers wanted to look at environmental aspects to find possible causes […]

By | October 5th, 2015|Prevention|Comments Off on Maternal Folate Status and Autism

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

012Across the country domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women aged 15-44. In Arizona last year, 109 individuals and four dogs lost their lives to domestic violence. During the first five months of 2015, there have been 40 documented domestic violence related deaths. Domestic violence does not discriminate. It […]

By | October 2nd, 2015|General, Prevention|Comments Off on October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Showcasing successful strategies for collaboration

iStock_000009571530MediumOur partnership building skills were highlighted at the United States Conference on AIDS on September 13, in Washington, D.C. Our Office of Disease Integration and Services, HIV Prevention Program, and Maricopa County Ryan White Part A Program were selected from a pool of a thousand applicants to facilitate […]

By | October 1st, 2015|General, Preparedness|Comments Off on Showcasing successful strategies for collaboration

Addressing environmental health concerns in the community

Every year our Environmental Toxicology program responds to environmental health concerns and provides communities with epidemiologic and toxicological health assessments. Recently a community member from the town of Superior brought up concerns that contamination from past mining activities could be affecting the health of residents. Superior is a small […]

By | September 30th, 2015|General|Comments Off on Addressing environmental health concerns in the community

Newborn screening expands

iStock_000002298908XSmallNewborn Screening month wraps up at the end of September and has served as a time to recognize the great strides we’ve made in screening babies born in Arizona.

Arizona joins 36 other states in implementing a new test for critical congenital heart defect in newborns this year. Newborns in Arizona now […]

By | September 29th, 2015|Newborn Screening|Comments Off on Newborn screening expands

Expanded Integrated Behavioral Health Model set to Launch Oct. 1

Mature female doctor friendly talking with her young female patient.

People with a serious mental illness have increased mortality that is largely from treatable medical conditions caused by risk factors like smoking, obesity, substance abuse, and not accessing primary and acute medical care. Research demonstrates that outcomes are improved for individuals with a […]

By | September 28th, 2015|Behavioral Health, Preparedness, Prevention|Comments Off on Expanded Integrated Behavioral Health Model set to Launch Oct. 1