More than 10 years ago, Arizonans voted to approve the implementation of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program. In 2020, the program expanded with the passing of Prop 207, allowing for the adult recreational use of marijuana. There are now many dispensaries and adult-use facilities statewide, where adults above the age of 21 can purchase marijuana [...]
We’ve all had those times when our stomach doesn’t feel just right, often after eating. And often, that stomachache is no more than minor discomfort that lasts just a short time. Even though the American food supply is among the safest in the world, an estimated 128,000 people each year require a hospital stay because [...]
At the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), we have about 100 public health laboratory staff who work hard every day to detect critical infectious diseases, test suspicious substances, screen drinking water for contaminants, conduct early identification of genetic and metabolic disorders in newborns, inspect and license clinical and environmental labs across Arizona, and work [...]
The thought of holiday celebrations can bring feelings of both warmth and excitement. We all look forward to Grandma’s special recipe or our favorite holiday dish. Thanksgiving is certainly no exception, and the last thing you need on your holiday plate is a big serving of Salmonella. Following a few simple pieces of advice can help [...]
Public health is always hard at work identifying and solving outbreaks. In the case of foodborne diseases, public health epidemiologists, nurses, and lab scientists are teaming up at local, state and federal levels to find out what food made people sick. When two or more people with the same foodborne disease get sick from the [...]
Public health officials regularly explore new and creative ways to promote health and wellness for Arizonans. On Saturday November 5, our staff and Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) join in a new partnership with the Phoenix Zoo to host a free flu vaccine clinic accompanied with outreach on disease prevention. Last year’s flu [...]
With Easter right around the corner, little ones in Arizona may be coming into contact with baby chicks or ducklings at festivals, egg hunts, or petting zoos. While these baby birds are cute, they are also common carriers of Salmonella bacteria . Salmonella bacteria can cause infections in people, with symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and [...]
When you get sick with an infectious disease like Salmonella or the flu, your healthcare provider or the laboratory that conducted the test on you is required to report your illness to the county or state public health department. In Arizona, almost 100 different diseases are reportable. Public health disease detectives investigate reports of diseases [...]
This is the time of year when we start closing out all of our infectious disease data from the previous year. That means our epidemiology and data entry staff will be hard at work to identify potential duplicate cases, make sure reported disease cases are classified correctly and similarly between the state and local health [...]
Every day our staff works with local public health and healthcare partners to prepare for and respond to all kinds of public health threats. Looking back at 2015, we addressed infectious disease threats like Ebola, measles, chikungunya, and Salmonella; environmental threats like wildfires, monsoons, and floods; and potential health security threats at Superbowl XLIX. This work [...]
