Have you ever wondered how legal marijuana products are regulated to keep you safe? The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is responsible for licensing and regulating marijuana, marijuana retail sales, marijuana growth, and testing facilities in Arizona. That includes any licensed marijuana kitchens that manufacture edible products. In 2010, Arizona voters legalized medical marijuana. [...]
Whether inside or outdoors, your body loses water throughout the day, especially in extreme heat. Staying properly hydrated is critical in Arizona’s high temperatures. Water is the best choice for hydration during hot weather. Proper hydration helps your body regulate its temperature, eliminate waste, and keep your mind functioning well. Not getting enough water can [...]
Today is observed as National HIV Testing Day, a day to bring awareness to the need for all Arizonans to be aware of their HIV status. The Arizona Department of Health Services’ (ADHS) Office of HIV & Hepatitis C Services is proud to support HIV testing not only on this day, but year-round through at-home [...]
Monsoon season began last weekend, and while the season might bring cooler temperatures, it also creates perfect conditions for weather hazards like heavy rain, flash floods, high winds, and dust storms. High winds and dust storms can affect air quality, driving conditions, and can increase the chance of contracting water-borne illnesses. Air quality Microscopic dust [...]
Our first heat wave of the summer is here, with 11 counties under excessive heat warnings. Thanks to Governor Hobb’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan, Arizona stakeholders across industries and jurisdictions are operating under a standard set of heat initiatives for the first time ever! This plan ensures we use a cohesive and collaborative approach to [...]
The days are getting longer and warmer, which might mean you're spending more time outside enjoying activities with friends and family, especially before it gets too hot to comfortably enjoy being outdoors. However, whether you are walking the dog, hanging out in the pool, spending time at your local park, or hiking one of the [...]
As the state heats up, it is important for Arizonans to start taking steps now to be safe in the sun and heat. This week is Arizona Heat Awareness Week and May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so as summer quickly approaches, start implementing steps now to protect against melanoma and skin cancer [...]
Throughout the summer, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) will highlight info and share resources related to extreme heat safety and heat-related illnesses. Once the state begins to heat up, it can become dangerous quickly, and we plan to share relevant heat safety info regularly. We plan to share steps you can take to [...]
Heat-related illnesses in Arizona have been trending upward since 2013. Preliminary syndromic surveillance data suggest 2023 had the most heat-related emergency room visits in the last decade. To better support Arizona through extreme heat as part of the Governor’s Executive Order on Extreme Heat Planning and Preparedness and Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan, the Arizona Department [...]
Recent data show that while Arizona’s rate of HIV infection has gone up slightly from the previous year, the rate of death from complications from the disease has decreased. This positive trend is due to multiple prevention methods, but most prominently the use of antiretrovirals (ARVs) improve outcomes at the highest rate. Access to medication [...]
