A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Dr. David Lakey, this year’s President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials has selected the Healthy Babies Project for his national initiative- challenging each state to implement strategies to reduce prematurity and infant mortality based on successful national, regional, and state efforts to improve [...]
The Department of Health and Human Services released final regulations to implement Insurance Exchanges under the ACA. The regulations spell out the standards for establishing and operating “one-stop” marketplaces, qualifications for health insurance plan participation, exchange health plan and subsidy eligibility determination for individuals, and criteria for small business eligibility and participation. Certain provisions of the [...]
One of the best ways to improve outcomes for kids that have a medical emergency is to have a statewide network of emergency departments that focus on specific “kid-based” criteria for training, equipment, and facilities. Arizona is now one of only 5 states that have implemented a specialized pediatric emergency care system- a system that [...]
CDC’s Field Services Office rolled out their Direct Assistance for Assigning CDC Field Staff to State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Health Departments internet site this week. The website provides answers to frequently asked questions concerning the availability and appropriate use of direct assistance from CDC staff. The CDC wants to increase the number of their [...]
The Governor signed HB 2036 today- which amends state law regarding abortions. We'll be responsible for implementing many of the law's provisions. Our Rules and Medical Licensing teams will be responsible for writing new regulations for the operating procedures at abortion clinics, our Medical Licensing team will be ensuring compliance with the new rules, and our IT and [...]
Being born too soon is the number one killer of infants in Arizona and in the nation (birth defects is a close second). Death rates from prematurity are declining but babies born too soon (before 37 weeks) often face medical, developmental and social challenges as they get older. More than 8,000 babies in Arizona were born too soon [...]
Trauma Informed Care provides another perspective when working with individuals in the behavioral health system. Think of it this way, our life experiences have helped shape each of us into the person we are today, why would it be any different for our patients/residents. When a person experiences trauma it can have any number of effects [...]
The tumblers have clicked, and the race to apply for a dispensary is on. Our revised rules for regulating Medical Marijuana were filed and became official today- and we’ll be accepting applications for Medical Marijuana Dispensary Registration Certificates from May 14 through May 25. The unofficial rules incorporate the changes that were required by a [...]
One of the things I’ve always been jazzed about is coming up with simple and easy policy interventions to drive public health change. The Governor signed a bill that’s a good example. SB1059 addresses liability concerns of schools when opening outdoor facilities to the public outside of the school day. This is a critical first [...]
Teen pregnancy is a key public health indicator because of the profound negative health outcomes related to a lack of education and economic opportunity. For example, only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma versus approximately 90% of their peers. The disadvantages caused by a teen pregnancy can last a lifetime- and even spill over to [...]
