Arizona's Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) is moving from paper checks to an electronic system thanks to a $5M grant we received from USDA this week. WIC electronic benefit transfer (or EBT) will provide enhanced service and benefits to participants, clinic staff, and WIC vendors (grocery stores authorized to accept Arizona WIC benefits). Stores in Arizona that provide WIC services sell [...]
Our Office of Children with Special Healthcare Needs has been working with UnitedHealthcare Community Plans and the AHCCCS to support an important free Conference on July 25 to improve the care delivery system in Arizona for children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities and their families. The goal of the free Conference [...]
I've fallen off ladders at my house twice in the last month which has inspired me to do a post about falls and injuries. The #1 reason people show up in Arizona emergency rooms is from slipping, tripping or stumbling on something. Falls are the #2 cause of accidental death in Arizona…with 870 deaths recorded [...]
In recent years, a prevention model of health has woven its way into the fabric of traditional models of care. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act the role preventive services has expanded significantly in the US health care delivery system. Preventive health care services prevent diseases and illnesses from happening in the first [...]
Last December I denied a petition to add Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to the list of debilitating medical conditions that qualify people for an Arizona Medical Marijuana Registration Card. I denied the petition because, at the time, I believed there was a lack of scientific evidence to document whether Cannabis is helpful or not to [...]
When you shop for a new car, phone or camera, you have lots of information about your choices. But when it comes to choosing the right medicine or the best health- care treatment, clear information can be hard to find. Let’s face it, if you don't get the best possible information about your treatment choices, [...]
My wife has been disturbed by the number of scorpions she's seen around our house and garage over the last couple of weeks which has inspired me to do this scorpion post. Arizona has more than 56 species of scorpions but the bark scorpion is the biggie. Since you live in the bark scorpion’s territory, you probably [...]
HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality just released the Asthma Return-on-Investment (ROI) Calculator for exploring potential financial returns from quality improvement and disease management programs for populations diagnosed with asthma. The tool provides estimates based on an analysis of 52 research studies on improving asthma care and what those studies imply for cost savings. [...]
The Arizona State Hospital will be hosting a Job Fair next Wednesday (July 9) 9 am to Noon at 501 N. 24th Street, Phoenix. We’re looking for folks that might be interested in joining our team at the Arizona State Hospital. We’ll be recruiting for various positions like Psychiatric RN’s, Psychologists, Psychiatric Nursing Shift Supervisors, Mental [...]
With the monsoon comes an increase in foodborne illnesses in Arizona. While outdoor pool parties, barbeques, and family gatherings are cool, it’s important to remember some tips for handling food safely to protect your family and guests from a nasty bout of foodborne illnesses. According to the CDC, reducing foodborne illness by just 10% would keep 5 million Americans [...]
