EMS Bureau Provides Transparency and Technical Assistance for Ambulance Services
Arizona uses a Certificate of Necessity process to license ambulance services. This process can be challenging for new applicants because it uses terminology and accounting practices that the person responsible for completing the application may not be familiar with. To help overcome that problem, our Bureau of EMS and Trauma System has begun posting important documents on the program’s website, [...]
Transforming Arizona Government: Preventing Disease Spread
Our agency continues to measure what matters in an effort to improve our services to Arizonans and review these measurements on a routine basis to ensure we’re on track in achieving our mission. One critical component of the work we do here is providing education, recommendations, and guidance to the public, healthcare providers, and public health partners in order to [...]
Disease Detectives at Work: St. Louis encephalitis investigation
Last summer Arizona had an outbreak of St. Louis encephalitis virus, which is similar to West Nile virus. Both are spread most commonly by the bite of an infected mosquito, but other possible routes of infection include organ transplants, blood transfusions, or needle sticks in laboratories. Public health was notified that one person in Arizona diagnosed with St. Louis encephalitis [...]
Annual Health Survey helps Public Health Agencies Focus Priorities
Data is an instrumental component of public health that helps us monitor population health, plan and evaluate interventions, and track priorities. One of our most valuable sources of public health data is the annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which is a telephone survey that collects data from Arizona adults 18 and older. The BRFSS survey collects data related to several chronic diseases, tobacco [...]
Making Progress on Improving the Public Health System
The purpose of the Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP) is to move the dial on important health outcomes and it is an important component of Public Health Accreditation. A lot has been going on behind the scenes to move us forward in the accreditation process. Below is an update of the work we have done in the areas of cross [...]
Mental Health is an Essential Component of Health
In light of the recent tragedies occurring in the U.S. and around the world, there is help locally, if you need support. Mercy Maricopa, which oversees the crisis system in Maricopa County, has activated a dedicated 24/7 crisis line in response to the recent shootings. Crisis Response Network operates the line, 1-800-203-CARE (2273), and it’s available to anyone who may [...]