Integrated Care Responses On Deck
We all need to take care of both our physical and behavioral health needs in order to be healthy. The mind and body aren't separated- and neither should the health-care delivery system- especially for folks with a serious mental illness. Folks with a serious mental illness die more than 25 years earlier than the general population… an unacceptable health disparity [...]
Valley Fever Season Peaking
Valley Fever typically peaks in late fall and early winter with a minor peak from June to August (refer to the 2007-2011 Valley Fever Report). Those who've been in Arizona for a while may know that Valley Fever is a lung infection caused by a fungus that is common in the soil here. In most cases, people with Valley Fever have [...]
New Flu Application Released by CDC
The CDC released a free application last month that allows users to access current influenza recommendations and influenza activity updates. You can click here to download. You'll be able to check our where we are relative to the rest of the country and view the new methods of analysis presented on the new site. On our flu website you'll be able to [...]
Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections: An AZ Winnable Battle
Healthcare-associated infections are a critical public health challenge in Arizona and in the US. Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are acquired during healthcare treatment and can be devastating and even deadly- and they’re largely preventable. You may have seen the article in last week's Republic about dirty needles and their link to transmission of viruses and drug-resistant superbugs. The article mentions a recent Arizona incident [...]
Medical Marijuana Continuing Medical Education
We’ve been processing Medical Marijuana Registration Cards for about a year and a half now. One of our primary goals from the start has been to try to build a true medical marijuana program. One of the keys is setting clear expectations for clinical assessment and medical record review by physicians before they sign a medical marijuana certification. From the beginning, we’ve [...]
New Electronic Birth Certificate ‘Round the Corner
Our Vital Records shop does a lot more than manage the State’s birth and death certificate system (which we’ve been doing since 1885). We’re also an integral part of the Nation’s Vital Statistics System, which serves as the backbone of national data sharing in public health. The data collected under the National Vital Statistics System works in partnership with the National [...]