Developmental Disabilities Planning Council Refresh
Arizona’s Developmental Disabilities Planning Council got some good news this week after learning that Governor Brewer extended the Executive Order that created the Council in 2009. Signed on November 4th, the Executive Order authorizes the Council to continue its work through 2019 in supporting persons with developmental disabilities and their families by funding important projects related to employment, self-advocacy and [...]
Time to Comment on Newborn Screening Rules
Last month I wrote about how we are working on revising our Newborn Screening rules because of a change in state law. The changes include requiring hearing tests on all newborns, adding critical congenital heart defects screening and adding a screening for severe combined immunodeficiency started January 2016. The last test depends on whether we can increase the fee for [...]
CDC National Health Report
Last Thursday, the CDC published the CDC National Health Report which provides a snapshot of recent trends in key areas of the nation’s health. The report finds Americans are living longer, healthier lives, but indicates that progress has been slow or stagnating in some areas, including several leading causes of death and their risk factors. The new report will help guide national policy [...]
Navajo Nation Establishes the Navajo Department of Health
After many years of planning and conducting of public forums throughout the Navajo Nation, the Navajo Tribal Council recently approved legislation establishing the Navajo Department of Health. Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly signed the legislation into law. The new law establishes the Navajo Department of Health as the lead agency delegated to ensure that quality comprehensive and culturally relevant health [...]
Annual March of Dimes Report Card
Every year the March of Dimes reviews where we are as a nation in reducing premature birth. Being born too early can impact a child’s ability to live a healthy life. It is one of the leading causes of infant death. Arizona has been improving the preterm birth rate for the past 7 years. In 2006, our rate was 13.2 [...]
AZ Health Aging Plan
Arizona is experiencing a record shift in the number of older adults. By 2050, the number of Arizonans age 65 and older is expected to increase 174%, which represents 2,422,186 people. Also, the current trend of longevity among aging adults represents both opportunities and challenges in the years ahead. Older adults are living longer; however, they do not always live [...]