General

Here you will find topics ranging from current events that affect public health in Arizona to overall information about the Arizona Department of Health Services

Infant Mortality- the Presidential Challenge

By |2012-04-19T08:14:57-07:00April 19th, 2012|General, Prevention|

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Dr. David Lakey, this year’s President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials has  selected the Healthy Babies Project for his national initiative-  challenging each state to implement strategies to reduce prematurity and infant mortality based on successful national, regional, and state efforts to improve [...]

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Insurance Exchange Reg’s

By |2017-02-10T09:51:13-07:00April 18th, 2012|General|

The Department of Health and Human Services released final regulations to implement Insurance Exchanges under the ACA.  The regulations spell out the standards for establishing and operating “one-stop” marketplaces, qualifications for health insurance plan participation, exchange health plan and subsidy eligibility determination for individuals, and criteria for small business eligibility and participation. Certain provisions of the [...]

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CDC’s Direct Assistance Powertool

By |2017-02-10T09:51:13-07:00April 16th, 2012|General|

CDC’s Field Services Office rolled out their Direct Assistance for Assigning CDC Field Staff to State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Health Departments internet site this week. The website provides answers to frequently asked questions concerning the availability and appropriate use of direct assistance from CDC staff.  The CDC wants to increase the number of their [...]

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HB 2036: Abortion; Procedures; Informed Consent; Requirements

By |2012-04-13T11:56:53-07:00April 13th, 2012|General|

The Governor signed HB 2036 today- which amends state law regarding abortions. We'll be responsible for implementing many of the law's provisions. Our Rules and Medical Licensing teams will be responsible for writing new regulations for the operating procedures at abortion clinics, our Medical Licensing team will be ensuring compliance with the new rules, and our IT and [...]

Trauma Informed Care

By |2017-02-10T09:51:13-07:00April 12th, 2012|General|

Trauma Informed Care provides another perspective when working with individuals in the behavioral health system.  Think of it this way, our life experiences have helped shape each of us into the person we are today, why would it be any different for our patients/residents. When a person experiences trauma it can have any number of effects [...]

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Flag Drops for Dispensary Applications

By |2012-04-11T16:40:26-07:00April 11th, 2012|General|

The tumblers have clicked, and the race to apply for a dispensary is on.  Our revised rules for regulating Medical Marijuana were filed and became official today- and we’ll be accepting applications for Medical Marijuana Dispensary Registration Certificates from May 14 through May 25. The unofficial rules incorporate the changes that were required by a [...]

Schoolyards Opening Up

By |2012-04-11T08:38:30-07:00April 11th, 2012|General|

One of the things I’ve always been jazzed about is coming up with simple and easy policy interventions to drive public health change.  The Governor signed a bill that’s a good example.  SB1059 addresses liability concerns of schools when opening outdoor facilities to the public outside of the school day. This is a critical first [...]

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Obesity & Autism Walking Hand in Hand?

By |2017-02-10T09:51:14-07:00April 9th, 2012|General|

Another article came out this week in the journal Pediatrics that points toward the importance of preconception health including maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy.  The authors explored the relationship between metabolic disorders like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity and outcomes such as autism and other developmental delays.  They found an association between metabolic [...]

Integrating Public Health & Primary Care

By |2012-04-04T08:28:04-07:00April 4th, 2012|General|

The Institute of Medicine just released a consensus report called "Primary Care and Public Health: Promoting Integration to Improve Population Health" that identified several principles that public health and primary care could work toward further integration- including the goals of population health improvement, aligned leadership, sustainability, community engagement, and the collaborative use of data and analysis.  Check it out and send the [...]

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National Healthy Babies Initiative

By |2012-03-30T08:50:29-07:00March 30th, 2012|General|

Every year each of the folks in my job around the country (called the State Health Officers) get together and elect a President of our association (called the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials or ASTHO). Each President picks a public health challenge during his or her term. This year’s ASTHO President is Dr. [...]

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