Walk to School Day
October 10 is a big day here in Arizona and around the country. Kids and their parents will join together to celebrate the benefits of physical activity on International Walk to School Day.
From Flagstaff to Sahuarita, Walk to School events across Arizona will highlight safe and walkable routes to school and encourage […]
AZ Poster Contest to Raise Awareness about Valley Fever
Although many types of fungal disease occur in our country, there is one that poses the greatest risk to our health in the desert southwest. In Arizona, valley fever has a large impact with over 5,000 reported cases, 700 hospitalizations, and 50 deaths each year.
To raise awareness about […]
Follow the ABCs of Safe Sleep to Keep your Newborn Safe
Did you know that the safest place for a baby to sleep is in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or playpen, in the same room as a parent or caregiver? Watch our video on the ABC’s of Safe Sleep: Alone on my Back in a Crib.
According to the Child Fatality Review Program, 41 Arizona babies died in […]
National Preparedness Month: What would you do if…?
As National Preparedness Month comes to an end, remember that preparing for emergencies and disasters is a year-round effort. Arizona may not be vulnerable to destructive hurricanes like Florence, but we are at risk of flooding, wildfires, power outages, severe weather, and other unforeseen hazards. One question to ask yourself, your […]
Syphilis outbreak impacts the health of women and babies
Arizona is facing an outbreak of syphilis, with the biggest increase of cases in women and newborns. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has been working with partners on strategies to increase early detection and treatment, especially for pregnant women, to reduce the potentially devastating health effects.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the 2017 STD Surveillance […]
Arizona’s State of Obesity 2018
When it comes to the battle of the obesity epidemic, Arizona is doing better than many states, but obesity rates here and across the country are still alarmingly high. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 29.5% of Arizona adults are obese, ranking our state 30th in the nation. […]
Cara M. Christ, M.D., M.S. became Director for the Arizona Department of Health Services in May 2015. Dr. Christ has served the agency for more than nine years. Among her many accomplishments at ADHS, Dr. Christ collaborated with health partners and stakeholders to develop strategic plans for infectious disease prevention and control including the Governor’s Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. She was involved in leading statewide efforts during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, and worked with partners to find solutions to improve childhood vaccination programs. In 2012, Dr. Christ managed the development and implementation of 20 Articles of Arizona Administrative Code for Health Care Institutions allowing integration of physical and behavioral health services statewide. Dr. Christ obtained her master's degree in microbiology with an emphasis in molecular virology and public health. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Follow the Director on Twitter @DrCaraChrist.
