Transitioning Behavioral Health Services
The only true constant is change, particularly when you are part of a team committed to continuously improving the health and wellness of all Arizonans. October 1 was an important day for the behavioral health system in Arizona with four significant system transformations occurring simultaneously. The Division of Behavioral Health Services, with a lot of support from other team members [...]
Pediatricians Promoting Food Security for All Children
It seems hard to believe that one in every five children in the United States lives in a home where there isn’t access to enough healthy food for an active, healthy life for all household members. Here in Arizona, the numbers are estimated to be even higher, affecting as many as one in three children. The American Academy of Pediatrics [...]
Lead Poisoning Prevention Awareness
In Arizona, more than 800 children each year are identified with elevated blood lead levels. Even at low blood lead levels, children's intelligence, behavior, hearing and growth can be irreparably damaged. To increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation to kick off Arizona’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Week October 25-31. We join a national [...]
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection
Recent media has highlighted one of the most common antibiotic-resistant-bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In the US, over 2 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and more than 23,000 people die due to these infections. Anyone can get MRSA and infections range from mild to very serious, even life-threatening. Most MRSA infections are skin infections and are generally mild. [...]
Empower Newsletter Debut
This month our department shared the first monthly Empower Newsletter focusing on policy development and implementation of the Empower Standards. Empower is a collaborative effort throughout ADHS. The Bureau of Child Care Licensing enrolls centers and small group homes in Empower and monitors implementation. The Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity develops and provides materials, support, and training for Empower [...]
International Infection Prevention Week
International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) raises awareness of the role infection prevention plays to improve patient safety and promotes the belief that everyone plays a role in infection prevention. As IIPW expands, more patients benefit from safer healthcare practices and reduced threat of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). In response to this important need, the Governor of Arizona has declared October 18-24 [...]