Stay Safe in the Summer Heat Safety
Our agency serves a vital role in protecting its residents and visitors against the summer heat. Arizona’s high temperatures increase the risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In 2018, Arizona hospitals had nearly 3,000 emergency department visits for heat-related cases. Additionally, each year we see an average of
Monsoon Safety Page Launched
The Arizona monsoon season is in effect. We can expect strong winds, dust storms, heavy rain, flooding, and other extreme weather hazards to be the norm during this time of year. ADHS recognizes the many health threats that come with the monsoon season. To prepare for these hazards, ADHS brought together […]
Vital Records Wins National Award for Innovative Event Held on the Navajo Nation
The ADHS Office of Vital Records recently won the Constellation Awards from the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS). The award recognizes the innovative efforts to collectively host a delayed birth registration event with vital records departments from Colorado, […]
CDC Director Dr. Redfield Visits Arizona
Last week, Arizona had the honor of hosting Dr. Robert Redfield, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to discuss his initiative to End the HIV Epidemic. During his time in Arizona, Dr. Redfield was able to learn about the […]
Federal Reauthorization of Key Public Health Preparedness Programs
On June 24, President Trump signed the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act into law. This important piece of legislation helps ensure that critical initiatives such as the ADHS Public Health Emergency Preparedness program and the Hospital Preparedness Program will receive funding through 2023. The […]
Arizona’s Maternal Mortality Review Program Receives National Recognition
The ADHS Maternal Mortality Review Program was recently recognized at the Maternal Mortality Review Information Application User Meeting hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA in June, 2019. The team was recognized for their integral role in conducting maternal mortality reviews in Arizona and […]
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.
