SNAP Up Healthier Food
Maybe you’ve heard the words “The Farm Bill” in the news over the years. The Farm Bill is a very large bill that guides the mission of the USDA- including the “food stamps” program- now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. The USDA law undergoes review and reauthorization about every 5 years- and the next reauthorization of the [...]
100 Years of AZ Public Health Lab Science
I thought it would be fun to give some perspective on public health and the Department’s activities 100 years ago as we approach our Centennial in a few weeks. Our AZ Public Health Laboratory is celebrating its 100th birthday shortly- just like the State. Our Lab was one of the first parts of state government- it created by the first State Legislature in 1912... [...]
Public Health Scholarship Opportunity
The U of A's College of Public Health has a new (HRSA) grant that's offering up to 10 scholarships to enroll in their Graduate Certificate program in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology. In addition to getting the certificate- the credits are transferable to graduate programs in public health. The deadline for 2012 intake is March 1. Details and the application are located at http://www.mch-epitraining.arizona.edu/.
Build Your Inventory of Emergency Response Skills
Maricopa County Department of Public Health’s Office of Preparedness and Response is conducting a full-scale emergency preparedness exercise that will test the strength and completeness of County and City plans during a simulated Anthrax attack. Pre-registered volunteers will drive their cars through the site as simulated medications are dispensed. We anticipate each driver will make several trips through the dispensing lines [...]
Dispensaries in AZ this Summer?
Right now, it looks like a qualified “yes”. As you know from earlier blog posts a the judge has ruled in a state case that had challenged our dispensary applicant selection criteria. We’ve been reviewing our options- and decided yesterday not to appeal the case- which puts us back on track to licensing dispensaries under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act. [...]
Inside the Governor’s Budget
Dr. Nelson wrote a great blog this week that discusses the behavioral health aspects of the Governor’s 2012 State of the State Address which was followed by the release of her policy agenda called The Four Cornerstones of Reform: Centennial Edition. Please visit Dr. Nelson’s blog for the details of the Governor’s remarks about behavioral health including information about the FY2013 [...]