ADHS Announces New “Must Stop Bullying” Comic Contest for Arizona Youth
Bullying has emerged as an important public health issue prompting the need for effective prevention measures and interventions in schools and community settings. Significant long-term implications for victims of bullying include mental trauma, decreased school performance, and in extreme cases, suicidal ideation. Children with special health care needs may be at […]
ADHS Seeks Input in the Next State Health Assessment
Today marks the start of Arizona Public Health Week and National Public Health Week, a recognition of the work public health does behind the scenes to improve the overall health of our communities. Aligned with National Public Health Week’s 2019 focus on
New Data Dashboard Helps to Identify Opioid Trends in Arizona
We recently launched an interactive dashboard that is providing timely data about the opioid epidemic in Arizona. The dashboard is a tool that ADHS and our partners are using to develop interventions that will keep our communities safe.
The data is a valuable resource to help identify trends. For example, […]
Public Health Agencies Working to Prevent the Spread of Measles
Late on Friday, working with Pima County Health Department, our Arizona State Public Health Laboratory confirmed Arizona’s first case of measles of 2019. A family and their young child traveled internationally to an area with active measles cases and the child became sick with measles. […]
Arizona’s Treat and Refer Recognition Program Makes Strides to Improve EMS Services
The Rio Rico Medical and Fire District recently became Arizona’s sixth emergency medical services (EMS) agency to be recognized as a Treat and Refer EMS agency by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). The Treat and Refer Recognition Program increases patient access to primary and preventive care. […]
ADHS Provides Education to Arizona Youth About the Dangers of E-Cigarettes
While we’ve made significant strides in reducing cigarette smoking among youth in Arizona, the use of electronic nicotine products, also called e-cigarettes or vape, are on the rise. According to a recent Vital Signs published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one […]
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.
