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 […]
Public Health Week Wraps Up with Launch of ADHS Annual Report
As we wrap up Arizona Public Health Week and National Public Health Week, today we published our Annual Report, which highlights many of the great accomplishments of our agency from the last fiscal year: July 1, 2017 […]
ADHS Announces New “Must Stop Bullying” Comic Contest for Arizona Youth
Bullying has emerged as an important public health issue prompting the need for effective prevention measures and interventions in schools and community settings. Significant long-term implications for victims of bullying include mental trauma, decreased school performance, and in extreme cases, suicidal ideation. Children with special health care needs may be at […]
ADHS Seeks Input in the Next State Health Assessment
Today marks the start of Arizona Public Health Week and National Public Health Week, a recognition of the work public health does behind the scenes to improve the overall health of our communities. Aligned with National Public Health Week’s 2019 focus on
New Data Dashboard Helps to Identify Opioid Trends in Arizona
We recently launched an interactive dashboard that is providing timely data about the opioid epidemic in Arizona. The dashboard is a tool that ADHS and our partners are using to develop interventions that will keep our communities safe.
The data is a valuable resource to help identify trends. For example, […]
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.
