Breastfeeding support: We’re here to help 24 hours a day
For the approximately 67,000 new parents in Arizona who breastfeed their babies, each journey is unique. Many of us think breastfeeding should be easy, and to some people it is, but to others it is a challenging time filled with questions and doubts. With that in mind, ADHS is marking the 31st annual World Breastfeeding Week by reminding new families, [...]
‘Show me the data’: Our monthly update on COVID-19 outcomes by vaccination status
“Show me the data.” That’s a phrase I hear quite a bit from ADHS epidemiologists, and with good reason: Numbers may be a little difficult to follow sometimes, but they tell a story and they don’t lie. That’s why our epidemiologists update a report every month showing COVID-19 outcomes by vaccination status, including the update I’m discussing in this blog. [...]
Protecting our children from lead
Many people wrongly believe that because much of the housing in Arizona was built after lead-based paint was banned in 1978, lead poisoning is not a concern in our state. It's important to know there are several sources of lead in the environment beyond lead-based paint. Here’s a real-world example: A 1-year-old child in Arizona was found to have a [...]
Official population estimates help inform public health actions
From a public health perspective, it matters that 9,562 people live in Greenlee County, and that 1 in every 5 Arizonans lives in an unincorporated area. It’s important that health leaders know how many people in Yavapai County are 50 or older, and what the ethnic makeup is for Gila County. That’s why it’s so important that ADHS and the [...]
Biomedical Research Centre at ADHS supports health research statewide
The Arizona Biomedical Research Centre (ABRC) within ADHS was created to use tobacco taxes and Arizona State Lottery proceeds to identify and support innovative biomedical research that improves the health of all Arizonans. Its outreach includes workshops and other educational activities across Arizona. For the seventh year, ARBC this summer supported an educational series to develop regional and statewide engagement [...]
To stay safe amid extreme temperatures, know the signs of heat-related illness
Most Arizonans, especially those who have lived in our beautiful state for more than one summer, already know the precautions when temperatures are extreme, such as drinking plenty of water and protecting yourself from the sun. Knowing all of that, anyone who ventures outside at this time of the year still faces the risk of heat-related illness if the body [...]