Measles outbreaks highlight the importance of vaccination
Earlier this week, the State of Washington declared a public health emergency due to a measles outbreak that has infected nearly 40 people to date. Luckily, no Arizonans have been infected with measles associated with this outbreak, but the fact that measles outbreaks still occur underscores the importance of up-to-date vaccination […]
STDs are on the rise in Arizona
We’ve just released our 2017 STD Annual Report, which shows that the number of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) reported in Arizona continues to increase. The latest data indicates a 16% increase in STDs from 2016 to 2017, with STDs in Arizona on the rise for over a decade.
Over 54,000 STDs were […]
Arizona’s Youth Vape Campaign Launches
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) launched a statewide media campaign this month to discourage minors from using e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. The Facts Over Flavor campaign provides kids with facts about vaping by educating teens on the presence of nicotine and other hazardous substances found in many flavored […]
Suicide Rates Increasing in Arizona
The Arizona Department of Health Services just released a report on suicides and self-inflicted injuries in Arizona over the last decade, based on information in death certificate and hospital discharge databases. Understanding suicide rates over time gives our communities and partners information about populations to target for intervention. Reducing suicide is one […]
Arizona’s Top Baby Names of 2018
Here it is, Arizona’s top baby names for 2018! For a third year in a row, Emma tops the list for most popular baby girl name and Liam takes the number one spot for boys. The top five girl names in 2018 are Emma, Olivia, Mia, Isabella and Sophia. The top five boy names are Liam, Noah, Sebastian, Oliver and Benjamin.
The Arizona WIC Program is Open
The Arizona WIC program provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and connections to community services for income-eligible women who are pregnant and postpartum, infants, and children up to five years old.
Arizona WIC is a federally- funded supplemental nutrition and education program that serves almost 135,000 women, infants, and children each month […]
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.
