Selection of the 2015-2016 Flu Vaccine Strains
This month, the FDA endorsed the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) recommendations for the 2015-2016 Northern Hemisphere flu vaccine. It may seem early to think about next year’s flu season when this season is just winding down; however, flu vaccine development and production takes about 6 months. So it is important to start now in order to make the hundreds of [...]
ADHS Participating in National 80% by 2018 Cancer Screening Initiative
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women in Arizona. Cancer can be detected early through a screening test, like a colonoscopy or an at-home test, when patient outcomes can be most impacted. The Arizona Department of Health Services, along with organizations throughout the U.S., has taken the challenge to increase screening rates [...]
Suicide Prevention Mobile App Launches Today
The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a mobile app this morning to help primary care and behavioral health providers identify suicide risk among patients. Suicide Safe is available for Apple and Android phones and tablets. A webinar explaining the technology will happen at 12:30 today. The event is full at this point, but a video will be available on [...]
STAND Success Story
Tobacco use is responsible for thousands of deaths in Arizona every year – more than 8,000 according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Secondhand smoke also takes a toll on the health of those exposed. Eliminating the danger of secondhand smoke is a big part of the Smoke Free Arizona voter initiative. Passed in 2006, it focuses on enclosed public [...]
Measles – Code Yellow
Arizona seems to have escaped the first round of the national measles outbreak without any more cases, but that doesn’t mean we can drop our guard. Measles is still circulating in the country, especially in nearby states. So parents, nurses, doctors and all healthcare professionals need to consider measles as a possibility when someone has a rash and high fever, [...]
Governor’s Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness & Response Progress
We’ve made a lot of progress implementing the provisions outlined by the Governor’s Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response late last year including: 1) successful designation of 2 hospitals; 2) receiving new funding to support accelerated infectious disease preparedness planning and response; and 3) approval of a new award to enhance hospital readiness. New Infectious Disease Preparedness & Response [...]