Health Homes Resources
SAMHSA put a great new resource from their Center for Integrated Health Solutions which helps prepare behavioral health provider organizations to become health homes by outlining the essential clinical features. It also displays examples of how behavioral health provider organizations are successfully implementing the clinical features of a health home around the country. Check it out.
Trauma System Improvements in Arizona
Imagine your son or daughter is riding their bicycle in rural Arizona when a car swerves and crashes into them, causing a severe head injury. They are clinging to life. Until several years ago, if this injury had happened anywhere other than Flagstaff, Tucson or Phoenix, your child’s chance of receiving specialized trauma care within the first hour – the [...]
Outstanding Dietitians
Registered Dietitians are on the front lines of our battle against obesity. They work everyday to help people understand the importance of balancing diet and exercise - not necessarily an easy task in this junk-food, drive-thru world. Some of them are really good at it - including our own Adrienne Udarbe and Maricopa County's Trudes Rodriquez. The Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognized their work [...]
Medical Condition Petition Status
The AZ Medical Marijuana Act requires us to periodically accept petitions to add new medical conditions to the list of conditions that qualify folks for an AZ Medical Marijuana Registration Card. In January, we accepted petitions from the public and had a public hearing in May. Folks submitted numerous articles as a part their petitions for PTSD 1; PTSD 2; Depression; Migraines; and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. We also received [...]
Telling the Public Health Story
One of the key elements of our Strategic Plan is to “Build Public Health Value.” One of the best ways to do that is to tell good stories that capture people’s attention and imagination- stories that highlight the value of public health. During our Division of Licensing’s employee recognition event last week, Larry Martens read a perfect example of how [...]
The Push to Stop Preterm Births
On June 18, we held a news conference with the Arizona March of Dimes and the Arizona Perinatal Trust to officially launch a new campaign to reduce preventable preterm births. We got great coverage this week, including a FOX News interview that aired in several other cities across the country. We’ve joined a national challenge issued by the President of the Association [...]