The Arizona Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) started its first data collection cycle last month. PRAMS is a joint research project between our agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that collects data on maternal attitudes and experiences before, during, and after pregnancy. Every month, Arizona PRAMS will mail a questionnaire packet to [...]
Note: This week is National Public Health Week. This week I have a five-part public health series that explores the vast network of programs and services that help improve the health and wellness of all Arizonans. The Public Health Prevention Team is dedicated to improving the quality of life for an individual, which improves the [...]
Earlier this month I highlighted Folic Acid Awareness Week and PowerMeA2Z as part of National Birth Defects Prevention Month. I also want to recognize Governor Doug Ducey's proclamation declaring January 2016 as Birth Defects Prevention Month in Arizona. There are approximately 700 serious birth defects reported each year in Arizona, which are tracked by the [...]
Our employees wore green and jeans this week to raise awareness of folic acid and its benefits before and during pregnancy. January is Birth Defects Prevention Month, and January 10 through 16 is Folic Acid Awareness Week, which are great opportunities to highlight a simple way that women can help prevent birth defects. A daily multivitamin [...]
Every year the March of Dimes reviews where we are as a nation in reducing premature birth. Being born too early can impact a child’s ability to live a healthy life. It is one of the leading causes of infant death. Arizona has been improving the preterm birth rate for the past 7 years. In [...]
There was good news this week about preconception health. A report just out from the EPA found that more women of childbearing age have been avoiding eating the kinds of ocean predators that typically contain mercury (Hg). This is important because mercury can affect the baby’s brain being developed during pregnancy. Mercury is found in [...]
We’ll be turning the key on our newest evidence-based preconception health initiative next week. Look for the rollout of PowerMe A2Z- which is our innovative public health campaign that promotes healthy living among young women in Arizona. The goals are to help young women to take a multivitamin with folic acid, to promote healthy eating, active [...]
Valentine’s Day isn’t just a day of romance, flowers and candy. The CDC Preconception Health and Health Care Initiative launched a campaign asking all women of childbearing age to Show Your Love by taking good care of themselves. It’s a national initiative to educate women and couples on the importance of preconception health. Preconception health [...]
On June 18, we held a news conference with the Arizona March of Dimes and the Arizona Perinatal Trust to officially launch a new campaign to reduce preventable preterm births. We got great coverage this week, including a FOX News interview that aired in several other cities across the country. We’ve joined a national challenge issued by [...]
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Dr. David Lakey, this year’s President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials has selected the Healthy Babies Project for his national initiative- challenging each state to implement strategies to reduce prematurity and infant mortality based on successful national, regional, and state efforts to improve [...]
