Cara M. Christ

About Cara Christ

Cara M. Christ, MD, Director Arizona Department of Health Services

Sharing Public Health Data in New Ways

By |2019-02-04T09:53:02-07:00February 4th, 2019|General|

Public health professionals use data to drive decisions about public health priorities, the need for new programs or policies, and the effectiveness of public health intervention. However, without clear and accessible data, it’s difficult to make informed decisions. That’s why over the last several years, we’ve worked hard to improve our data displays to enhance [...]

Comments Off on Sharing Public Health Data in New Ways

Measles outbreaks highlight the importance of vaccination

By |2019-01-31T10:30:17-07:00January 29th, 2019|Preparedness|

Earlier this week, the State of Washington declared a public health emergency due to a measles outbreak that has infected nearly 40 people to date. Luckily, no Arizonans have been infected with measles associated with this outbreak, but the fact that measles outbreaks still occur underscores the importance of up-to-date vaccination for all children. ADHS [...]

Comments Off on Measles outbreaks highlight the importance of vaccination

STDs are on the rise in Arizona

By |2019-01-29T11:17:49-07:00January 29th, 2019|Preparedness|

We’ve just released our 2017 STD Annual Report, which shows that the number of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) reported in Arizona continues to increase. The latest data indicates a 16% increase in STDs from 2016 to 2017, with STDs in Arizona on the rise for over a decade. Over 54,000 STDs were reported in Arizona [...]

Comments Off on STDs are on the rise in Arizona

Arizona’s Youth Vape Campaign Launches

By |2019-01-23T16:16:28-07:00January 23rd, 2019|Prevention|

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) launched a statewide media campaign this month to discourage minors from using e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. The Facts Over Flavor campaign provides kids with facts about vaping by educating teens on the presence of nicotine and other hazardous substances found in many flavored vaping liquids. Kids are [...]

Comments Off on Arizona’s Youth Vape Campaign Launches

Suicide Rates Increasing in Arizona

By |2019-01-02T11:46:43-07:00December 31st, 2018|Preparedness|

The Arizona Department of Health Services just released a report on suicides and self-inflicted injuries in Arizona over the last decade, based on information in death certificate and hospital discharge databases. Understanding suicide rates over time gives our communities and partners information about populations to target for intervention. Reducing suicide is one of the leading health priorities [...]

Comments Off on Suicide Rates Increasing in Arizona

Arizona’s Top Baby Names of 2018

By |2018-12-27T09:09:53-07:00December 27th, 2018|Licensing|

Here it is, Arizona’s top baby names for 2018!  For a third year in a row, Emma tops the list for most popular baby girl name and Liam takes the number one spot for boys.  The top five girl names in 2018 are Emma, Olivia, Mia, Isabella and Sophia.  The top five boy names are Liam, Noah, Sebastian, Oliver and Benjamin. Throughout each year, the Arizona [...]

Comments Off on Arizona’s Top Baby Names of 2018

The Arizona WIC Program is Open

By |2018-12-26T16:36:32-07:00December 26th, 2018|General, Prevention|

The Arizona WIC program provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and connections to community services for income-eligible women who are pregnant and postpartum, infants, and children up to five years old. Arizona WIC is a federally- funded supplemental nutrition and education program that serves almost 135,000 women, infants, and children each month with services [...]

Comments Off on The Arizona WIC Program is Open

Arizona Mission of Mercy Event

By |2018-12-13T08:45:12-07:00December 13th, 2018|Prevention|

Oral health is more than just a nice smile. Having good oral health improves a person’s ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew and eat. Tooth decay and gum disease have been linked with other serious health problems like heart disease, stroke and diabetes, as well as premature births. Given the potential link between [...]

Updated Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

By |2018-12-12T09:49:47-07:00December 11th, 2018|Prevention|

For the first time in 10 years, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has updated national physical activity guidelines with evidence-based recommendations for everyone ages three and up to get the physical activity they need to stay healthy. I am excited about these updated guidelines as they support actions outlined in the [...]

Comments Off on Updated Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

2018 State Heath Assessment

By |2018-12-10T14:04:30-07:00December 10th, 2018|General|

Did you know the average life expectancy can vary by as much as 14 years depending on where you live in Arizona?  Did you know that Arizona has seen an 85% drop in teen pregnancy in the past decade? And did you know Arizona has lower rates of cancer and heart disease than the nationwide [...]

Comments Off on 2018 State Heath Assessment
Go to Top