It’s Getting Hot in Here!
The scorching heat is right around the corner this weekend with heat warnings for nearly all of Arizona (Coconino, Yavapai, Graham, Pima, Cochise, Greenlee, Santa Cruz, Pinal, La Paz, Maricopa, Yuma, and Mohave Counties). Temperatures may reach 108 to 115 °F. High outdoor temperatures aren’t just an inconvenience; they’re dangerous. Year after year, nearly 2,000 people visit Arizona emergency rooms [...]
Arizona State Hospital Campus Seeks Public Private Partnership
Many of you know that the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) operates the Arizona State Hospital (ASH), where we provide inpatient psychiatric care to persons with serious mental illness who are in need of long term behavioral health care. ASH personnel provide state-of-the-art inpatient psychiatric and forensic care to patients with the highest acuity of behavioral health needs. Interdisciplinary [...]
Early Intervention for Speech and Hearing is a Vital Component of Public Health
The role of early intervention is key in public health, especially when it comes to speech and hearing. May was Better Speech and Hearing Month and the theme this year was "Communication Takes Care." An estimated 40 million Americans experience speech or hearing disorders. In Arizona, hearing screening statutes mandate all educational institutions, including private, charter and public schools, to provide hearing [...]
Measles Outbreak Update; 11 Cases now Confirmed in the State
Since the end of last week, our disease detectives have been working with our local public health departments to investigate an outbreak of measles associated with the private detention center in Eloy. This weekend we confirmed an additional nine cases of measles in the outbreak, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to eleven- and our investigation continues to evolve. [...]
Don’t Invite Foodborne Illness to Your Memorial Day Gathering
Many Arizonans will mark the Memorial Day holiday by inviting friends and family to share a meal and enjoy the outdoors. One “guest” you don’t want to invite, however, is a foodborne illness. Before you warm up the grill or pack the picnic basket, keep these food safety tips in mind to ensure the food you serve is safe to [...]
Confirmed Measles Cases in Arizona
Arizona has confirmed two cases of measles associated with an Eloy Detention Center this week. Measles is one of the most communicable diseases there is- 90% of non-immune people exposed to measles will get the disease . It’s a viral disease of the upper respiratory system that is spread in the air and through droplet spread if the person coughs [...]