West Nile Ramping Up
The West Nile virus is making its annual visit to Arizona. We’ve had several cases now in Arizona (and 1 death) - mostly from the East Valley in Maricopa and Pinal Counties. Most of these cases have the more severe form of West Nile virus which causes meningitis or encephalitis. We rarely hear of most cases because people with milder symptoms of [...]
Healthcare Reform Questions
I know that many of you are getting questions from your stakeholders about healthcare reform. The website that HHS posted recently should help, as it provides the latest information on the health care reform law. It’s seems to mainly be focused on consumer awareness etc. For example, the website provides information about the new option for people that have been [...]
Aging Healthy in Arizona
In the next 2 decades Arizona’s population will age rapidly, increasing the demand for services related to management of chronic illnesses and disability, as well as increase health care and long term care costs. That’s why we need to focus efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of all older adults in Arizona. Our new Report on the State of [...]
ADHS Status
We’ve got a lot to be proud of over the last year and an half. It’s been hard, I know because of all of the budget reductions and the lower staffing level. On the other hand, we’ve got an incredible mission and we’re doing a good job. I often tell people that we work in the most interesting agency in [...]
Integrating Physical & Mental Health
One of our top priorities in behavioral health over the coming years will be to better integrate physical health and mental health services in Arizona. Why is this a priority you ask? It’s because folks with the most serious mental illnesses die at least 25 years earlier than the average Arizonan (this is consistent across the country). Physical and mental [...]
Integrating Physical & Mental Health
One of our top priorities in behavioral health over the coming years will be to better integrate physical health and mental health services in Arizona. Why is this a priority you ask? It’s because folks with the most serious mental illnesses die at least 25 years earlier than the average Arizonan (this is consistent across the country). Physical and mental [...]