Flag Drops for Dispensary Applications
The tumblers have clicked, and the race to apply for a dispensary is on. Our revised rules for regulating Medical Marijuana were filed and became official today- and we’ll be accepting applications for Medical Marijuana Dispensary Registration Certificates from May 14 through May 25. The unofficial rules incorporate the changes that were required by a recent Superior Court Ruling. The [...]
Schoolyards Opening Up
One of the things I’ve always been jazzed about is coming up with simple and easy policy interventions to drive public health change. The Governor signed a bill that’s a good example. SB1059 addresses liability concerns of schools when opening outdoor facilities to the public outside of the school day. This is a critical first step to making it easier [...]
AZ Leads the Way to Reducing Teen Pregnancies
Teen pregnancy is a key public health indicator because of the profound negative health outcomes related to a lack of education and economic opportunity. For example, only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma versus approximately 90% of their peers. The disadvantages caused by a teen pregnancy can last a lifetime- and even spill over to the next generation. Teen pregnancy is [...]
AZ’s Behavioral Health State Plan
Our Division of Behavioral Health Services recently submitted its combined mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services State Plan for FY 12-13 to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The Plan that we submitted doubles as the State Plan that’s required by ARS 36-550.01. The Plan provides an overview of Arizona’s behavioral health prevention, early identification, [...]
Obesity & Autism Walking Hand in Hand?
Another article came out this week in the journal Pediatrics that points toward the importance of preconception health including maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy. The authors explored the relationship between metabolic disorders like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity and outcomes such as autism and other developmental delays. They found an association between metabolic disorders and neurological problems in [...]
Empower Program Gets National Recognition
Our Physical Activity and Nutrition and Child Care Licensing programs were selected for a national award from Let’s Move!- Child Care for our outstanding work to promote young children’s health and prevent childhood obesity through the Empower program and our training videos. Our work will be showcased at the May 9 Let’s Move! Child Care Recognition Luncheon in DC. The [...]