Parents, are you ready for the new school year? Meeting teachers, organizing backpacks, and packing lunches are some of the many things you are prepared for, but what about your child’s vaccination status? As the first day of school approaches, take a quick second to review Arizona’s state mandated immunization requirements for children entering child [...]
While summer may be in full swing, the influenza season is lingering longer than usual here in Arizona. In June, we typically see around 200 laboratory confirmed influenza cases. This year there were nearly 1,300 confirmed influenza cases in June . Our ADHS disease detectives and county health departments monitor influenza activity all year. In [...]
The CDC's Office on Smoking Health published an article in the JAMA Pediatrics titled "Secondhand Exposure to Electronic Cigarette Aerosol Among US Youths." The report says the extent to which youth are exposed is unknown. Through self-reporting, about 40 percent of teens reported being exposed within the past 30 days. The article calls for education [...]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the nation's health protection agency, working 24/7 to protect America from health and safety threats, both foreign and domestic. In 1951, CDC established the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), a two-year postgraduate fellowship for health professionals interested in public health and epidemiology. EIS officers are physicians, veterinarians, [...]
The CDC estimates that antibiotic resistance is responsible for more than two million infections and 23,000 deaths each year in the United States. Antimicrobial stewardship programs are dedicated to promoting the appropriate use of antimicrobials. Common antimicrobials are disinfectants and antiseptics, along with antibiotics. Effective use can lead to a decrease in patient illness and [...]
World TB Day is recognized every year on March 24th. In the United States, Tuberculosis (TB) remains under control; however continued work must be done to reach TB elimination. The newly released numbers from Arizona’s TB Control Program show a decrease of reported TB cases from 198 cases (2015) to 188 cases (2016). This is [...]
Adolescence is a critical period of development where young people are exposed to new experiences, such as dating. Unfortunately, some teens find themselves involved in dating relationships that involve physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse. Teens are often unable to recognize the signs of teen dating violence, or may be reluctant to tell their parents [...]
The Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Coalition is a collaboration of healthcare-related organizations, patient advocacy organizations, industry partners, and other public health partners who have joined forces with the common goal of promoting the use of CDC's core interventions and resources to prevent bloodstream infections in dialysis patients. We are a committed partner of this [...]
The Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital in Nogales, AZ has recently become the first Arizona hospital to be added to the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll of the Immunization Action Coalition. The Honor Roll recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that have attained high coverage rates for administering hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Ninety-eight percent of [...]
Most tooth decay can be prevented through a combination of interventions like our school-based sealant program and our fluoride mouth rinse program. If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to difficulty eating, speaking, and learning in school. Tooth decay can affect anyone, but we are seeing oral health disparities continue to exist for many Arizona [...]
