SARS… A 10-Year Retrospective

May 10th, 2013 by Will Humble No comments »

This Spring marks 10 years since Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) arrived on the global public health scene.  It started as a mystery illness in SE Asia- without name, origin, or cure in February of 2003.  The CDC immediately began working with the World Health Organization to investigate the outbreak.  Public health scientists across the globe scrambled to understand and contain this health threat… which ultimately infected more than 8,000 people- killing about 10% of them. 

By March of 2003, the CDC had confirmed that the disease wasn’t caused by an influenza virus, but they didn’t know the culprit…  so they named it after the symptoms (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) rather than the causative agent (it turned out to be a new Coronavirus).  March of ’03 also marked the time when the CDC figured out that the virus was spread via face-to-face human contact.  That’s also when the CDC and WHO recommended strict infection control measures including hand washing, gloves, avoiding sharing household items, and limiting interaction between ill patients and others. 

Exactly 10 years ago today CDC figured out that there were some “super-spreaders” that were a particular problem with the growing epidemic.  May ’03 also marked the month in which the investigation and public health and clinical interventions matured- bringing the full weight of the global public health and clinical management system to bear on the virus.  Interventions like concise case definitions and reporting standards, laboratory diagnostic tests, travel restrictions, and clear clinical management and infection control guidelines all worked together to eradicate the virus by the Summer of 2003. 

The forensic investigation continued for a few months after the virus was eradicated.  The investigation kept pointing toward an animal called a Civet as the source of the new Coronavirus.  A SARS-like virus had been isolated from civets captured in areas of China where the SARS outbreak originated and sold in live animal markets.  It’s a mammal with a catlike body, long legs, a long tail, and a masked face resembling a raccoon or weasel.  By January of ’04 it was pretty clear that a Civet was the probable source, and the CDC issued a  “Notice of Embargo of Civets”, which banned the importation of civets into the US. The ban is currently still in effect.  China also implemented some control measures on them. 

Interested in the whole story?  Check out “Remembering SARS: 10 Years Later” on the CDC’s website.

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Rulemaking Stuff

May 10th, 2013 by Will Humble No comments »

Our Licensing and Rulemaking teams spent the last week of April with hundreds of Stakeholders from numerous associations and licensees about our ongoing regulatory reform effort.  In addition, we’ve received hundreds of comments regarding our draft rules for Healthcare Institutions and Behavioral Health Service Agencies on our website (the comment period ended on May 5).  Our teams are now busy going through the written comments and our notes from the meetings as we prepare the final regulations, which are due by the end of June. 

We also have another Midwifery Scope of Practice Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 15 from 4-6 pm in the Lab.  We’ll be discussing the newest edition of the draft rules.  The latest draft still includes Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) and Breech Delivery as within scope for Certified Professional Midwives under certain prescribed circumstances, although this latest version would not allow for the delivery of twins by a midwife.  We’ve also clarified monitoring reporting requirements regarding labor progression.  The final midwifery rules are also due at the end of June.

 

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Home Baked Goods & Empowering Opportunity

May 9th, 2013 by Will Humble No comments »

Last year I blogged about a grant sponsored by the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council to help folks with developmental disabilities and their families become self-employed by starting their own cottage industry food business. At the end of last year, this funding was awarded to the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, which has developed a 10-week training course to support adults with autism and their families in creating a small business selling home baked goods. 

Recently, staff from our Environmental Health shop were able to tour the SARRC facility and answer questions about the Home Baked and Confectionary Goods Program for staff and participants in the program. We even had the privilege of sampling some of their baked goods! This is just another example of ways that multiple statewide agencies and organizations can collaborate to make a positive difference in the lives of Arizonans.

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State Employee Recognition

May 8th, 2013 by Will Humble 1 comment »

The work we do often doesn’t get a lot of fanfare.  Much like police who respond to hundreds of calls a week, public health workers diligent work to protect the public from health threats – we just don’t respond with lights and sirens and there aren’t any TV shows that celebrate our work.

I try to keep you posted about some of our work on my blog:  we work to ensure good care at the State Hospital, stay late to check samples at the lab; work with stakeholder groups to ensure good communication on rulemaking; spread the word about Hands Only  CPR to dispatchers and around the world; spend the weekend at a licensed facility where there was great concern for the folks living there; update good health practices into childcare – I could go on and on, but what really matters is the work you’re doing everyday – either at your desk or in the field – working with staff or stakeholders – supporting the mechanics of public health that makes sure we can have “Health and Wellness for all Arizonans.”

Today, several states across the US including AZ are celebrating state workers- because you and your coworkers at all state agencies make a difference every day in the lives of Arizonans.

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The “Community Plan”

May 7th, 2013 by Will Humble No comments »

Strategic community planning is an effective tool to improve population health.  That’s why organizations like the Livable Communities Coalition are so important as they help Arizona communities to become places that improve those social and environmental determinants of health that make such a big impact on population health and public health outcomes.  But how do you drill public health into city zoning, transportation, economic development, real estate development and finance etc.? 

Fortunately, a few great organizations like Urban Land Institute, ADOT, AZ Dept. of Housing, AZ American Planning Association, County Supervisors Association, AZ Association of Economic Development, and the League of AZ Cities and Towns have come together to help create workshops that focus on a holistic approach to land use planning, zoning, transportation, economic development, real estate development and finance.   The key word  “holistic” since we’d like communities to view these disciplines together and understand their connectedness as opposed to in silos. 

The workshops- known as the Community Plan are a free service for public officials at the local level.  They’re 2 to 4-hour workshops with group discussions, case studies, expert speakers, and valuable take-aways.  Workshops can be scheduled upon request depending on instructor availability. Contact Deb Sydenham, the Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute to talk about your community’s issues and to learn more about the Community Plan today.

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National Campaign Shows Real Dangers of Tobacco Use

May 6th, 2013 by Will Humble No comments »

Continuing with the success of last year’s landmark national tobacco education campaign- the CDC is launching “Tips from Former Smokers” which will run in Arizona through the end of June.  The media campaign showcases the real and devastating effects of smoking & secondhand smoke.  The ads feature people with smoking-related health conditions and candidly describe the impact of tobacco and the benefits of quitting. 

The national campaign from CDC is a great supplement to our statewide efforts to help people quit smoking and preventing young people from starting.  We operate the widely successful ASHLine, which offers free evidence-based cessation services and nicotine replacement therapies for all Arizonans. The ASHLine has a 32% quit rate, which means that we’re helping more people every day to kick the habit. 

The CDCs ad’s encourage folks to call 1-800-QUITNOW- which in AZ will roll up directly to our ASHLine (1.800.55.66.222) helping even more Arizonans find local resources to help Arizonans kick the habit.

 

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Cory Goes Permanent

May 3rd, 2013 by Will Humble No comments »

I’m happy to announce that I’ve permanently appointed Cory Nelson as our official Deputy Director for Behavioral Health.  He’s been serving in the Acting capacity since August of ‘12 and has shown great skill and leadership in the position.  He’s been very successful working with our leadership and our Agency team as well as our behavioral health stakeholders and colleagues at AHCCCS and ADES.  His administrative and leadership skills are perfect for where we’re headed in the State’s behavioral health system.    

In his permanent role as Deputy for Behavioral Health, Cory will continue to provide oversight of the Arizona State Hospital, as statutorily, the Hospital CEO reports to the Behavioral Health Deputy Director.  We’ll begin a national (and local) recruitment for a new CEO at the Hospital shortly.  Donna Noriega has also been doing a very good job administering the Hospital in an acting capacity since last August, and we thank her for continuing to serve in that role while we conduct the recruitment. 

Thanks and Congrats…

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AAP Issues Home Birth Guidelines

May 3rd, 2013 by Will Humble 1 comment »

The American Academy of Pediatrics put out a new policy statement called “Planned Home Birth” this week.  The Policy Document summarizes the standards of care for newborn infants born at home.  It’s designed to help pediatricians provide supportive, informed advice to women considering home birth.

The AAP Report says they agree with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that hospitals and birthing centers are the safest settings for birth- but they thought it was important to put out guidance out of respect for the right of women to make a medically informed decision about their delivery.  The report says that… “the goal of providing high-quality care to all newborn infants can best be achieved through continuing efforts by all participating health care providers and institutions to develop and sustain communications and understanding on the basis of professional interaction and mutual respect throughout the health care system.”

That’s also what we’re trying to accomplish as we finish our licensing standards for Certified Professional Midwives in Arizona.  Our next Midwifery Scope of Practice Advisory Committee Meeting will be from 4 to 6 pm on Wednesday, May 15 in our Laboratory conference room at 250 N 17th  Avenue, Phoenix.  The meeting will again be broadcast live on Livestream.

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AZ Cities’ General Plan Schedules

May 2nd, 2013 by Will Humble No comments »

A city’s General Plan is one tool for communities to define how they want their city or town to grow and improve population health.  Currently, Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale are updating their General Plans, and each city has a variety of resources that give community members the opportunity to share their opinions and get involved with making their community healthier.  And remember there are excellent tools out there to help folks think through community design. 

Mesa has a website called This is My Mesa that gives their folks an opportunity to share their vision of a healthy community.  Check out the “News” and “Get Involved” tabs to look for upcoming events and ways to participate. Mesa has gone one step further and created  Idea Site. Through September you can share your ideas about what you want in your Mesa…  and voice your thoughts about how health can tie into the city’s General Plan. 

Tempe has an online forum where community members can share their 30-year vision for Tempe and can help craft a plan that makes Tempe a healthier community.  Information about upcoming meetings and the logistics of Tempe’s 2040 General Plan can be found on the City of Tempe website under the Community Development page. Keep your eyes open… there will be a process for public comment and involvement. The Council is scheduled to adopt the plan in late 2013 & Tempe residents are scheduled to vote on the General Plan in May 2014. 

Scottsdale has a website called Scottsdale General Plan, Your Plan, Your Future where community members can stay informed about Scottsdale’s 2014 General Plan. During late January and early February, a group of Scottsdale citizens came together to develop a draft vision statement for the 2014 General Plan…  which you can read and comment on here.  Community engagement will continue throughout 2013, with the General Plan public hearing and adoption process in late 2013 and early 2014. Scottsdale residents will vote on their Plan in August of 2014. 

Phoenix is in the middle of developing their General Plan- and 2013 is the year of heavy lifting.  They have a website called My Plan PHX which serves as their General Plan info hub.  Their “How it Works” site is a good place to start.  A good next step is to go to the Conserve Create ConnectPHX site and weigh in on the development and recreational ideas proposed by others- or post your own ideas.  

The General Plan outlines the plans for your city’s future. What better way is there to create the healthy environment you want to live and grow in over the next 10, 20, or 30 years? 

 

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National Spotlight on AZ’s High Risk Perinatal Program

May 1st, 2013 by Will Humble No comments »

The March edition of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Program’s Issue Brief highlights the great strides Arizona has made in decreasing neonatal deaths since the inception of our High Risk Perinatal Program/Newborn Intensive Care Program. When the program started in the 1970s, 1.8% of neonates died within a month of being born.  As a result of a host of Maternal and Child Health interventions over the last 40 years, that percentage has dropped to about 0.4%.  

One key component includes using community health nurses to follow and support families as they transition from the hospital to home.  Community health nurses do developmental, physical and environmental assessments, provide education and guidance to families, and direct families to programs and services. While in the home, the community health nurses can also asses other children and screen mothers for postpartum wellness. This is a great example of how long-term public health programs can have a significant impact on the overall health of the people of Arizona. This national report highlights Arizona’s programs as well as programs in California, Colorado and Utah.

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