The proportion of people admitted for drug abuse treatment over 50 nearly doubled between 1992 and 2008. While alcohol still is the leading cause of admissions in this age group, sharp increases were noted in those needing treatment for heroin, cocaine and marijuana, according to the study published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health [...]
The Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council was established by the Governor in September 2009. It’s part of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. I’m on the Council. Our mission is to represent the interests and needs of persons with developmental disabilities throughout Arizona- especially people that are underserved. We support [...]
One of the behavioral health challenges that we’ve been facing in the valley over the last several years has been the lack of places that are available for urgent psychiatric care. Oftentimes persons in an acute psychiatric crisis end up being treated in an emergency department where they might not have the expertise to provide [...]
Our ACPTC provides for the civil commitment of people who have a mental disorder that predisposes a person to commit sexual acts that pose a danger to the health and safety of others (A.R.S. § 36-3701, et. seq.). The mission of the center is to provide therapy to those individuals who have been civilly committed- [...]
The Trust for America’s Health released their annual obesity report. Overall, the national trend toward increasing obesity rates continued it’s march forward. Arizona ranked in the middle of the pack, but the pack itself in increasingly unhealthy. More than two-thirds of states have adult obesity rates above 25 percent. In 1991, no state had an [...]
I have a new bookmark spot for you. It’s called Science Clips, and it’s the CDC’s newest weekly publication. Each week selected science clips will be posted on the site for the public health community with the goal of enhancing awareness of emerging scientific knowledge. The focus is applied public health research and prevention science [...]
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a vaccine preventable disease that causes a severe and chronic cough. It’s a nuisance for adults and adolescents, but it’s potentially lethal for infants. California is having a serious outbreak right now with 4 times the normal number of cases this year. Our numbers are up too, but nothing like in [...]
Our behavioral health team has been working for months to ensure a smooth transition to the new behavioral health service package for our folks that are receiving services but don’t qualify for AHCCCS benefits. We’re continuing to update our Guidelines Fact Sheet and our guidance to contractors regarding services to Non-Title XIX members with serious [...]
I have a new bookmark spot for you. It’s called Science Clips; it’s the CDC’s newest weekly publication. Each week selected science clips will be posted on the site for the public health community with the goal of enhancing awareness of emerging scientific knowledge. The focus is applied public health research and prevention science that [...]
As you remember from previous posts- the Child Nutrition Act has been introduced in the Senate and moved out of Committee. This month, a bipartisan group of members in the U.S. House introduced a similar bill to reauthorize and amend the Child Nutrition Act, “Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act.” The bill is posted at [...]
