Check out the new five-year Arizona Health Improvement Plan
Publishing a new five-year Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP) this week marks an important milestone in the state of Arizona’s journey toward improved health. I’m pleased to share the plan and look forward to providing updates as we work toward its goals. Building on the success of the first Arizona Health Improvement Plan, which covered the years 2016 through 2020, [...]
Tips for keeping Independence Day celebrations safe
I hope everyone has a happy Fourth of July weekend. Those of us in public health have some tips on how to make your celebrations safe while you’re enjoying time with family and friends. COVID-19 Safety Please be aware when enjoying time with others that COVID-19 remains active in our communities. Variants such as Delta (B.1.617.2) raise the prospect of more [...]
Nearly all recent COVID-19 cases in Arizona are in unvaccinated individuals
We continue to educate: Vaccines are highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. The numbers continue to demonstrate this, including a look at cases we shared in a release earlier this week as Arizona reached 3 million people fully vaccinated. Arizona reported 16,910 total COVID-19 cases during May. Out of those, we found that more than 95% [...]
Delta variant highlights need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified the so-called Delta variant of COVID-19 — B.1.617.2 — as a variant of concern. This is one of the variants behind India’s devastating outbreaks, and it has become the dominant strain in the United Kingdom. Its shift from a variant of interest reflects the Delta variant’s higher transmissibility and [...]
Look out for yourself and for others when the mercury soars
Heat can become a serious health issue when the temperature soars – as it’s doing this week. Please look out for yourself and others to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Anyone can fall victim to heat-related illness, but the list of those who are most susceptible includes those 65 and older, infants and young children, people who work or [...]
The CDC provides yet another reason to get your COVID-19 vaccine
Today brings more encouraging news for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 -- and another reason for everyone else to get their shot. New guidance from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says fully vaccinated people can resume activities indoors as well as outdoors without wearing a mask or physically distancing. The CDC notes, however, that everyone is still [...]