The only true constant is change, particularly when you are part of a team committed to continuously improving the health and wellness of all Arizonans. October 1 was an important day for the behavioral health system in Arizona with four significant system transformations occurring simultaneously. The Division of Behavioral Health Services, with a lot of [...]
It seems hard to believe that one in every five children in the United States lives in a home where there isn’t access to enough healthy food for an active, healthy life for all household members. Here in Arizona, the numbers are estimated to be even higher, affecting as many as one in three children. [...]
In Arizona, more than 800 children each year are identified with elevated blood lead levels. Even at low blood lead levels, children's intelligence, behavior, hearing and growth can be irreparably damaged. To increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation to kick off Arizona’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Week October [...]
Recent media has highlighted one of the most common antibiotic-resistant-bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In the US, over 2 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and more than 23,000 people die due to these infections. Anyone can get MRSA and infections range from mild to very serious, even life-threatening. Most MRSA infections are skin [...]
This month our department shared the first monthly Empower Newsletter focusing on policy development and implementation of the Empower Standards. Empower is a collaborative effort throughout ADHS. The Bureau of Child Care Licensing enrolls centers and small group homes in Empower and monitors implementation. The Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity develops and provides materials, [...]
International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) raises awareness of the role infection prevention plays to improve patient safety and promotes the belief that everyone plays a role in infection prevention. As IIPW expands, more patients benefit from safer healthcare practices and reduced threat of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). In response to this important need, the Governor of [...]
Tuberculosis (TB) incidence continues to decline nationwide. This ancient disease is still around, but just less so. In Arizona last year, there were 193 cases of tuberculosis. Compared to 573 cases fifty years ago, that’s a significant decrease. TB programs aren’t satisfied with this decrease; instead programs actively work toward the complete elimination of tuberculosis. [...]
The integrated behavioral and physical health contracts for the northern region (Health Choice Integrated Care), and the southern region (Cenpatico Integrated Care) launched October 1, and Information Technology Services, part of the Division of Planning and Operations, has been tirelessly working over this for the past year to help with the launch. Over the last [...]
A new report published by our Office of Infectious Disease Services examines the epidemiology of selected infectious diseases in recent years. The report contains an overview of Arizona's surveillance system, graphs and maps on more than 25 different reportable conditions and links to other ADHS tables and reports for 2008-2013. Among many other topics, the [...]
Domestic Violence Awareness Month continues throughout October and ADHS employees keep awareness efforts fresh at the mid-month mark. Today is Wear Purple Day for our department. The color represents a reminder to all of us to lend support in our community and bring an end to domestic violence. Many of our partners are showing support [...]
