Preparedness – AZ Dept. of Health Services Director's Blog

Items in the Preparedness category will cover everything from Emergency Medical Services to vaccination programs. This division at ADHS tracks contagious disease, coordinates emergency preparedness activity, licenses EMTs and Paramedics, regulates ambulance companies, authorizes special hospital designations like cardiac care center and Level IV trauma center, issues birth and death certificates, and tracks critical health data through various sources including hospital discharge information.

Get Tested this World Hepatitis Day!
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Get Tested this World Hepatitis Day!

General, Preparedness

Get Tested this World Hepatitis Day!

By Arlis Jenkins|2024-07-26T14:55:32-07:00July 26th, 2024|General, Preparedness|

Sunday, July 28 is World Hepatitis Day. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Office of HIV and Hepatitis C Services (OHHS) encourages you to get tested for hepatitis. Millions of people in the country have viral hepatitis, but aren’t aware they have it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all [...]

Protecting Our Children: Drowning Prevention in Arizona
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Protecting Our Children: Drowning Prevention in Arizona

General, Preparedness

Protecting Our Children: Drowning Prevention in Arizona

By Rachel Garcia|2024-07-25T15:14:01-07:00July 25th, 2024|General, Preparedness|

As summer continues and families head to pools, lakes, and water parks, it’s crucial to be safe around water. Drowning is a sudden and tragic event that affects too many families each year. In Arizona, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four years old and the second leading cause [...]

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We stand with the community today – National HIV Testing Day
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We stand with the community today – National HIV Testing Day

Preparedness

We stand with the community today – National HIV Testing Day

By Eugene Livar|2024-06-27T16:07:46-07:00June 27th, 2024|Preparedness|

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 [...]

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Monsoon season in Arizona can bring cooler temps, along with high winds and flash floods
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Monsoon season in Arizona can bring cooler temps, along with high winds and flash floods

General, Preparedness

Monsoon season in Arizona can bring cooler temps, along with high winds and flash floods

By Eugene Livar|2024-06-20T16:18:47-07:00June 20th, 2024|General, Preparedness|

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 [...]

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Paving the way for increasing the number of vaccine providers
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Paving the way for increasing the number of vaccine providers

Preparedness

Paving the way for increasing the number of vaccine providers

By Sheila Sjolander|2024-06-12T14:21:51-07:00June 12th, 2024|Preparedness|

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program has provided life-saving vaccines to children in Arizona for the past three decades. The VFC program provides vaccination for children who might not otherwise get vaccinated because of financial barriers. The program is grounded in essential partnerships with private healthcare providers, tribal communities, community health centers, and local public [...]

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EMS Week: Honoring our past, forging our future
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EMS Week: Honoring our past, forging our future

General, Preparedness

EMS Week: Honoring our past, forging our future

By Rachel Garcia|2024-05-22T14:32:18-07:00May 22nd, 2024|General, Preparedness|

EMCTs of the Year - 2024Daniel Malanowski, Central Region Russell Smith, Northern Region Dan Wallace, Southeastern Region Tim Maple, Western Region Each year, during the month of May, the Arizona Department of Health Services’ (ADHS) Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Trauma System observes National EMS Week to honor our EMS and [...]

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Limit the sun, but not the fun. Be SunWise!
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Limit the sun, but not the fun. Be SunWise!

Preparedness

Limit the sun, but not the fun. Be SunWise!

By Eugene Livar|2024-05-09T13:16:38-07:00May 9th, 2024|Preparedness|

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 [...]

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It’s Arizona Heat Awareness Week! We’re sharing measures to help you protect yourself from skin cancer
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It’s Arizona Heat Awareness Week! We’re sharing measures to help you protect yourself from skin cancer

General, Preparedness, Prevention

It’s Arizona Heat Awareness Week! We’re sharing measures to help you protect yourself from skin cancer

By Eugene Livar|2024-05-06T13:57:00-07:00May 6th, 2024|General, Preparedness, Prevention|

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 [...]

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Despite cooler temperatures right now, our heat season is right around the corner
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Despite cooler temperatures right now, our heat season is right around the corner

Preparedness

Despite cooler temperatures right now, our heat season is right around the corner

By Eugene Livar|2024-04-10T13:28:16-07:00April 10th, 2024|Preparedness|

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 [...]

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We Are All Public Health and last week showed the ways our work impacts our communities year round
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We Are All Public Health and last week showed the ways our work impacts our communities year round

Licensing, Preparedness, Prevention

We Are All Public Health and last week showed the ways our work impacts our communities year round

By Sheila Sjolander|2024-04-08T11:40:24-07:00April 8th, 2024|Licensing, Preparedness, Prevention|

Last week we celebrated National Public Health Week with public messaging and social media, as well as internal workshops, brown bag opportunities, and an agency-wide virtual town hall. The American Public Health Association has recognized National Public Health Week for more than 25 years to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of public health professionals. The [...]

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