Bats are one of three rabies reservoirs in AZ – the others being skunks and foxes. Our skunk rabies season often peaks during winter & spring (although last year – it went all year). Our bat season goes late-March through early-October. Most (but not all) of the 28 species of bats in AZ do migrate [...]
Bats are one of three rabies reservoirs in AZ – the others being skunks and foxes. Our skunk rabies season often peaks during winter & spring (although last year – it went all year). Our bat season goes late-March through early-October. Most (but not all) of the 28 species of bats in AZ do migrate [...]
Last week was very busy for our behavioral health team. Staff held several community meetings all across the state and met with the people in charge of the Regional Behavioral Health Authorities regarding on the upcoming service package reductions for folks that don’t qualify for AHCCCS benefits. You can see our ADHS Continues to Seek [...]
This week the Archives of Internal Medicine published the results of a 20-year lifestyle study on 4886 people in the UK between 1985 and 2005. The study compared mortality rates among the group and analyzed longevity’s relationship to behavior. The study compared people that had various bad behaviors- allocating 1 point for: 1) smoking; 2) [...]
The H1N1 pandemic strain virus turns 1 this month. The first indication that there may be a problem was published in an April 24, 2009 Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report. The CDC announced the new virus in their usual low-key way, with an MMWR lead that said: “On April 17, 2009, CDC determined that two [...]
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health has discovered a pretty significant outbreak of a bacteria called Clostridium difficile this week. This organism can cause severe diarrheal illness, and is commonly associated with antibiotic use and healthcare facilities. Most people who come into contact with Clostridium difficile do not develop disease. Being on long-term antibiotics [...]
Last Wednesday, April 21, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a new report on high blood pressure entitled Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States. The report was sponsored by the CDC, FDA, and NIH. High blood pressure is one of the nation’s leading causes of death, responsible for roughly one in six [...]
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that the US Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, passed legislation out of their Committee to reauthorize WIC and the other Child Nutrition Programs last week. It’s called the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The bill includes the reauthorization of the free and reduced lunch and breakfast [...]
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that the US Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, passed legislation out of their Committee to reauthorize WIC and the other Child Nutrition Programs last week. It’s called the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The bill includes the reauthorization of the free and reduced lunch and breakfast [...]
A group called the Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project turned in signatures in support of a proposed “medical marijuana” voter initiative for the November 2 ballot. Election officials will be busy over the next couple of months to determine whether enough of the submitted signatures are valid. If enough of the signatures are valid, if [...]
