Prevention

Topics here will include issues that fall into the Prevention Division of the agency, which include – as the name implies – programs that help prevent disease in our state. You will find information about chronic diseases (cancer, heart health, breathing disorders) as well as tobacco use prevention. This area also includes education about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Women, Infant and Children programs; both USDA programs that help provide nutrition to lower income residents.

Before and during pregnancy, take steps to reduce the risk of birth defects

By |2023-01-26T14:07:53-07:00January 26th, 2023|General, Prevention|

Across America, one baby in every 33 is born with a birth defect. In Arizona, that translates to about 2,400 children each year born with any of a number of diagnoses, including Down syndrome, heart defects, cleft lip and cleft palate, and spina bifida. Many causes of birth defects, such as changes in genes and [...]

Comments Off on Before and during pregnancy, take steps to reduce the risk of birth defects

Supporting the physical and mental health of new and expectant mothers

By |2023-01-25T12:05:56-07:00January 25th, 2023|Prevention|

Maternal health is a key priority at ADHS. During the week when we mark Maternal Health Awareness Day, I'm highlighting two recent initiatives aimed at improving the health of pregnant women, postpartum women, and newborns. One is a recent report summarizing data on maternal mortality related to mental health conditions and substance use disorder. It [...]

Comments Off on Supporting the physical and mental health of new and expectant mothers

Safe and highly effective COVID-19 protection is available, so get boosted for the holidays

By |2022-12-08T09:35:19-07:00December 8th, 2022|Prevention|

COVID-19 deaths remain well below what Arizona has seen during major surges, but the 71 deaths added in today's weekly dashboard update are a grim reminder that COVID-19 is still present and taking lives.  I mention this to help highlight some very positive news also added to our dashboard: During October, Arizonans who had received [...]

Comments Off on Safe and highly effective COVID-19 protection is available, so get boosted for the holidays

Great American Smokeout: Ending dependence takes time, planning, and patience

By |2022-11-17T10:53:59-07:00November 17th, 2022|Prevention|

"Milestones," an award-winning public service announcement from the Arizona Smokers Helpline (ASHLine), begins with one man's decision to end dependence on commercial tobacco. It then follows the health benefits that multiply in the years after that last cigarette.  This year's Great American Smokeout focuses on what gets someone to day one of life without commercial [...]

Comments Off on Great American Smokeout: Ending dependence takes time, planning, and patience

Community Health Workers: Uniquely positioned to make communities healthier

By |2022-11-07T14:15:44-07:00November 7th, 2022|Prevention|

No one knows a community better than the people who live there. Someone who has spent a lifetime in Tuba City, Seligman, or Yuma knows the people who live there, what makes the community unique, and what health care solutions are needed. That's the idea behind the Community Health Worker movement, which has roots in [...]

Comments Off on Community Health Workers: Uniquely positioned to make communities healthier

Teal pumpkins promote safe spaces for kids with allergies

By |2022-11-04T14:45:53-07:00October 26th, 2022|Prevention|

For most children, trick-or-treating is a fun way to dress in costumes and collect their favorite candy. But for children with food allergies, this weekend's festivities can present a tempting danger. The Teal Pumpkin Project is a simple way to make trick-or-treating safer and more inclusive for the one in 13 children living with food [...]

Comments Off on Teal pumpkins promote safe spaces for kids with allergies

Positive experiences help children bounce back from adverse events

By |2022-10-19T11:17:40-07:00October 19th, 2022|Prevention|

You may have heard about adverse childhood experiences, potentially traumatic events that could have lifelong health consequences. But there is increasing attention focused on positive childhood experiences that help children build resilience and recover from significant adversity or trauma. Researchers have noticed that children with resilience have better health outcomes and develop the ability to plan [...]

Comments Off on Positive experiences help children bounce back from adverse events

‘Together We Rise’: Ensuring access to breast cancer screenings

By |2022-10-13T13:56:09-07:00October 13th, 2022|Prevention|

With breast cancer, as with other cancers and many other diseases, early detection makes a positive outcome more likely. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Arizona, with an estimated 6,110 cases expected to be diagnosed in 2022, according to the American Cancer Society.  It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which promotes educating yourself and [...]

Comments Off on ‘Together We Rise’: Ensuring access to breast cancer screenings

Smoking cessation PSAs win Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards

By |2022-10-03T14:16:04-07:00October 3rd, 2022|Prevention|

Following up on a recent blog, I'm pleased to share that two public service announcements developed for our Arizona Smokers Helpline (ASHLine) won Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards over the weekend.  “The Run,” produced by True Story Films, won in the Single Spot Commercial category. “Milestones,” produced by Matter Films and OH Partners, won for Health/Medical [...]

Comments Off on Smoking cessation PSAs win Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards

Fungus Disease Awareness Week: Valley fever not the only concern in Arizona

By |2022-09-22T10:48:46-07:00September 22nd, 2022|Prevention|

In Arizona and nearby areas in the Southwest, there's a strong likelihood that a person who develops a fungal infection is facing Valley fever. After all, roughly two-thirds of the nation's Valley fever cases are diagnosed in Arizona. There have been more than 7,000 cases diagnosed in our state this year. However, there are many [...]

Comments Off on Fungus Disease Awareness Week: Valley fever not the only concern in Arizona
Go to Top