May 19th National Hepatitis Testing Day
According to new surveillance data from the CDC, almost 20,000 deaths in 2014 were associated with hepatitis C and an increasing number of Americans are developing and dying from liver cancer, which can be caused by hepatitis. A second recently published CDC study shows that hepatitis C related deaths in 2013 surpassed the total combined number of deaths from 60 [...]
Introducing the New ADHS Logo
I'm excited to announce we have a new logo for our department! Developing our new logo was an extensive process where we looked at several options that would best embody what we do for our community. We wanted a logo that would represent our staff, our work, and our role in improving the health and wellness of the people of [...]
A New Tick-borne Disease on the Horizon in Arizona
In the last two years, the tick-borne disease Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis (R. parkeri) has been identified in two Arizona residents. Both were bitten by ticks in the mountainous regions of Southern Arizona. Only 40 cases of R. parkeri have been reported in the United States since the disease was first recognized in 2004. The tick responsible for the Arizona cases is Amblyomma triste, a tick that [...]
Healthy Swimming Poster Contest
It’s starting to get hot in Arizona, and that means people are heading into the water. Swimming is a great way to put a little play into your day during the summer. However, it is important to be aware that recreational water illnesses can occur even in water that appears to be clean . To increase kids’ awareness about recreational water illnesses and [...]
Meeting Set to Review Block Grant Funding Priorities
Our department receives funding from the CDC for the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant to fund several of our prevention efforts in Arizona, such as the program to reduce the number of prescription drug overdoses and deaths in the state. The block grant has provided strong support to states since the 1980s. In addition to the prescription drug initiative, we [...]
Piloting Tai Chi for Falls Prevention in Arizona
As we age, one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our loved ones is to maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit by participating in activities that are both effective and fun. Too often, while we know that being physically, mentally, and emotionally active will add years-to- our-life, and life-to-our-years, we don’t latch onto activities that [...]