Public Health Initiatives for Refugees in AZ
Last year 3,663 refugees resettled in Arizona from 45 different countries (about 1/3 were from Iraq). Refugees have a variety of pressing social, economic and health needs when they arrive. That’s where our ADHS Refugee Health Program comes in. Our Refugee Health Coordinator, Zachary Holden, works with partners to ensure that refugees arrive healthy and maintain good health as they establish their [...]
New Abortion Clinic Regulations Established
HB 2036 was passed and signed during the 2012 legislative session… tasking the ADHS with several things related to the regulation of abortions. Among them were requirements for us to: 1) Develop a parental informed consent form for minors seeking an abortion; 2) Establish a website with information identified in the Statute; and 3) Require abortion clinics to post signs [...]
Our Most Popular Annual Report Goes Mobile
Every year our most popular annual report (it’s not even close) is called the Arizona Health Status and Vital Statistics Annual Report. We released the 2012 Arizona Health Status and Vital Statistics Annual Report this week- and this time it’s mobile friendly so can pull it up on your IPad, IPhone and other Android devices. The document contains hotlinks and it takes you right to [...]
MTV Reality Show may be Reducing Teen Pregnancies
The popular MTV TV shows called 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom appear to be contributing to declines in the U.S. teen birth rate according to new research released this week by economists at the University of Maryland and Wellesley College. 16 and Pregnant is essentially a documentary series focusing on teen pregnancy. Each episode follows the life of a [...]
Influenza is Widespread in Arizona
Influenza has been steadily spreading in Arizona over the last few weeks and this week we hit the Widespread Influenza threshold. In fact, the number of cases increased by 50% this week- and several Arizona emergency departments are backed up with substantial wait times. CDC’s report is due to come out Friday… but I’d guess that most states will also report widespread activity. H1N1, [...]
What’s the Medical “Standard of Care” in an Emergency?
Good question. Disasters and public health emergencies can stress health care systems to the breaking point and disrupt delivery of vital medical services. For example- hospitals and long-term care facilities may be without power; trained staff, ambulances, medical supplies, and beds could be in short supply; and alternate care facilities may need to be used. You can imagine how difficult [...]