Our Work to Improve Patient Safety Continues
Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) are infections that patients can get while receiving medical treatment for something else in a healthcare facility. These infections can have devastating emotional, financial, and medical consequences. The National Patient Safety Foundation reminds us of the importance of safe patient care. This year's United for Patient Safety Campaign focuses on making patient safety an everyday priority. [...]
Tuberculosis Cases Declining in Arizona and Nationwide
World TB Day is recognized every year on March 24th. In the United States, Tuberculosis (TB) remains under control; however continued work must be done to reach TB elimination. The newly released numbers from Arizona’s TB Control Program show a decrease of reported TB cases from 198 cases (2015) to 188 cases (2016). This is a case rate of approximately [...]
Statewide Partnerships Work to Reduce Traumatic Brain Injuries
More than 12 million people in the U.S. live with the effects of a traumatic brain injury, according the Brain Injury Association of America. A person with a severe brain injury may need to be hospitalized and have long term health issues that affect memory, learning, coordination and balance, speech, hearing, vision, and emotions. Most brain trauma is caused by [...]
Infectious Disease Outbreaks Down in 2015
Our Office of Infectious Disease Services has released their 2015 Infectious Disease Outbreak Summary Report, documenting outbreak detection, response, and reporting throughout Arizona. An outbreak is an unexpected increase in the number of people with the same disease at the same time or in the same place. The public health response to outbreaks is a team effort, utilizing knowledge, skills, and input from epidemiologists, [...]
Take Steps to Improve Your Overall Health with Nutritious Meals and Active Living
During National Nutrition Month 2017, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges all of us to start small—one forkful at a time. Rather than focusing on just one specific food or meal, remember to balance what you eat and drink with your individual energy needs. Overall well-being includes enjoyable eating, active living, and healthy lifestyle behaviors. How much you eat [...]
New STD Annual Report Released
Our STD Control Program recently released the 2015 Arizona STD Annual Report. This report highlights the impact of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among residents of Arizona with specific focus on syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, the most commonly reported STDs. In 2015 cases of STDs in Arizona continued to increase. Cases grew from 39,919, in 2014, to 42,281 in 2015. The [...]