Today’s grim national news about overdose deaths amid the pandemic strikes a chord in Arizona, where opioid overdose deaths have continued to rise amid increased illegal use of counterfeit fentanyl. The National Center for Health Statistics released provisional figures showing that U.S. overdose deaths exceeded 100,000 for the first time in a 12-month period that [...]
In the 15 years since voters approved the Smoke Free AZ Act, Arizona has made significant progress in the battle to reduce smoking and improve public health in our state. When the measure passed in 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 18.6 percent of Arizonans smoked. Today, that number is [...]
Every year around the world, the month of October is dedicated to highlighting the importance of breast cancer prevention, awareness, education, and research. Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. and the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Arizona. Sadly, female breast cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer death [...]
When you see the color purple during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October – whether that’s on a friend’s shirt or the dome of the State Capitol in Phoenix – keep in mind this shocking fact: Since the start of 2020, an average of two Arizonans have died every week from causes directly related to [...]
With Arizona marking September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we recognize the COVID-19 pandemic has brought on many stressors, including emotional hardships, that can impact the overall health and mental well-being of Arizonans. It has never been more important for us to stay connected to the people we care about. ADHS recently launched a campaign [...]
Any mom’s life lost is one too many. Over the years, maternal deaths and other complications that occur during and after pregnancy have been on the rise nationwide and in Arizona. In our state, about 70 women die each year, and about a third of these die from pregnancy-related complications, with the largest burden being [...]
