New Dashboard launched for Valley Fever Awareness
Valley fever is a potentially debilitating and deadly respiratory disease caused by the Coccidioides fungus that affects thousands of Arizonans every year. Valley Fever Awareness Week (Nov. 9–17) was a success with social media messaging, promoting the poster contest, and launching a new data dashboard. Although Valley […]
Arizona Makes Progress in Reducing Healthcare-Associated Infections
Earlier this month, CDC released the 2018 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report based on National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) data. NHSN is the nation’s most widely used HAI surveillance system by facilities, states, regions, quality groups, and national public health agencies including CDC. This annual […]
ADHS Has Several Programs that Aim to Improve Birth Outcomes
Every year the March of Dimes releases grades based on the National Center for Health Statistics data to calculate preterm birth rates. Arizona received a “C+” grade in the 2019 Premature Birth Report Card, an improvement from last year’s report when Arizona received a “C” grade. The report further highlights disparities across […]
Maternal Fatalities & Morbidity Advisory Committee to Hold Public Hearing on October 30
Loss of a woman during pregnancy, at delivery, or soon after delivery is devastating. Arizona has been making great strides this year in its efforts to tackle the rates of maternal morbidity and mortality throughout Arizona. One of those actions was the passage of Senate Bill 1040 […]
It’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week-Get Your Child Tested
Each year, we join the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other partners to promote awareness of lead poisoning. Our Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program got a head start on
We’re Celebrating International Infection Prevention Week
International Infection Prevention Week 
occurs globally from October 13 – 19 to raise awareness of healthcare-associated infections. Healthcare-associated infections are infections people can get while receiving health care for another condition. This year’s theme is “Vaccines are Everybody’s Business” and highlights the important role that vaccines […]
Cara M. Christ, M.D., M.S. became Director for the Arizona Department of Health Services in May 2015. Dr. Christ has served the agency for more than nine years. Among her many accomplishments at ADHS, Dr. Christ collaborated with health partners and stakeholders to develop strategic plans for infectious disease prevention and control including the Governor’s Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. She was involved in leading statewide efforts during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, and worked with partners to find solutions to improve childhood vaccination programs. In 2012, Dr. Christ managed the development and implementation of 20 Articles of Arizona Administrative Code for Health Care Institutions allowing integration of physical and behavioral health services statewide. Dr. Christ obtained her master's degree in microbiology with an emphasis in molecular virology and public health. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Follow the Director on Twitter @DrCaraChrist.
