I've said it before, and I'll say it again now: COVID-19 vaccines save lives. The latest strong evidence is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study that underscores the benefits of vaccination for older people and others at higher risk of severe COVID-19. It links COVID-19 vaccinations in 2021 with 650,000 fewer hospitalizations [...]
With breast cancer, as with other cancers and many other diseases, early detection makes a positive outcome more likely. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Arizona, with an estimated 6,110 cases expected to be diagnosed in 2022, according to the American Cancer Society. It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which promotes educating yourself and [...]
Children ages 5 and older may now receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters targeting Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 as well as the original coronavirus. This is important news for parents of kids in this age group who are vaccinated, as this bivalent booster includes protection against the highly transmissible and immune-evading variants that dominate [...]
As a scientist in the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory, Sarah Brown found a calling she found more fulfilling than a private sector career. She and others in the ADHS chemical emergency response program are trained to deliver critical intelligence to medical providers and political decision-makers in the event of terrorism. "Hospitals need to know [...]
Arizona may not be among six states experiencing an outbreak of disease from listeria bacteria linked to brands of cheese sold nationwide, but the episode provides a reminder about the importance of taking steps to avoid foodborne illness. So far in 2022, there have been four cases of listeriosis in Arizona unrelated to the current [...]
Nearly 200,000 Arizonans have received new COVID-19 boosters designed to guard against current Omicron subvariants that have dominated around the country. Even with millions in our state fully vaccinated, that number needs to be much, much higher to protect our most vulnerable against severe outcomes. There has been considerable news coverage nationally about lower-than-hoped-for uptake [...]
Following up on a recent blog, I'm pleased to share that two public service announcements developed for our Arizona Smokers Helpline (ASHLine) won Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards over the weekend. “The Run,” produced by True Story Films, won in the Single Spot Commercial category. “Milestones,” produced by Matter Films and OH Partners, won for Health/Medical [...]
AARP Arizona has been a tremendous partner throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our collaborations to promote public health have included virtual town halls for AARP members on COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 boosters. At 3:05 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, we’ll join AARP Arizona for a virtual town hall on the new Omicron booster doses that target the [...]
Would you know what to do if you become one of the approximately 30 people in Arizona exposed to rabies each year? Sept. 28 is World Rabies Day, and ADHS joins partners around the globe working to raise awareness about prevention and the impact of rabies. The theme from the Centers for Disease Control and [...]
In Arizona and nearby areas in the Southwest, there's a strong likelihood that a person who develops a fungal infection is facing Valley fever. After all, roughly two-thirds of the nation's Valley fever cases are diagnosed in Arizona. There have been more than 7,000 cases diagnosed in our state this year. However, there are many [...]
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