Hepatitis A Outbreak Dashboard and Resources are Live
We recently launched an interactive dashboard and a number of resources to support the hepatitis A outbreak response efforts of county and tribal health departments, health care providers, and correctional facilities in Arizona. Tracking when and where the outbreak is occurring and who it is affecting is […]
Vaccinating People Most at Risk Can Help Curb National Hepatitis A Outbreak
Arizona, along with 18 other states, is currently experiencing an outbreak of hepatitis A. There have been more than 245 cases, mostly among individuals who are experiencing homelessness and/or use drugs. Currently over two-thirds of the cases are in Pima County. The disease has also spread to five other counties. More than 80 […]
ADHS Publishes 2019 Arizona State Health Assessment
Today, we are very excited to announce that we have published the 2019 Arizona State Health Assessment! The Assessment highlights both successes and challenges in our state with the intent of driving data for action. The Assessment also identifies key social, economic, and environmental factors contributing […]
Arizona State Lab has Vital Role in Protecting Public Health
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 […]
Increased Use of Immunization Exemptions Put Arizona At-Risk for an Outbreak in 2019
In the midst of nationwide outbreaks of measles, and increases in Arizona cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, Arizona’s vaccine coverage rates continue to decrease. This places more Arizona children, families, and communities at risk for vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. For the third year in a row, […]
Several ADHS Programs Focus on Early Childhood Development
Today we know more than ever about the importance of children’s earliest years in shaping their learning and development. Yet, never before have the needs of young children and their families been more pressing. According to Harvard’s “Center on the Developing Child,” there are three basic foundations […]
Cara M. Christ, M.D., M.S. became Director for the Arizona Department of Health Services in May 2015. Dr. Christ has served the agency for more than nine years. Among her many accomplishments at ADHS, Dr. Christ collaborated with health partners and stakeholders to develop strategic plans for infectious disease prevention and control including the Governor’s Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. She was involved in leading statewide efforts during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, and worked with partners to find solutions to improve childhood vaccination programs. In 2012, Dr. Christ managed the development and implementation of 20 Articles of Arizona Administrative Code for Health Care Institutions allowing integration of physical and behavioral health services statewide. Dr. Christ obtained her master's degree in microbiology with an emphasis in molecular virology and public health. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Follow the Director on Twitter @DrCaraChrist.
