The month of October is high mosquito season in Sonora, Mexico and there have been reports of local transmission of dengue and Zika viruses. With the upcoming three-day weekend and many schools on fall break over the next several weeks, it’s important to remind Arizonans about increased mosquito activity in Sonora in the event they [...]
In light of the recent tragedies occurring in the U.S. and around the world, there is help locally, if you need support. Mercy Maricopa, which oversees the crisis system in Maricopa County, has activated a dedicated 24/7 crisis line in response to the recent shootings. Crisis Response Network operates the line, 1-800-203-CARE (2273), and it’s [...]
Whole Grains Month is a great time for everyone to get on the whole grains bandwagon. Eating better is not an all-or-nothing choice; every little improvement makes for a healthier you all year long. Studies show that eating whole grains instead of refined grains lowers the risk of many chronic diseases. While three or more [...]
On September 28th, partners around the globe will celebrate the 10th anniversary of World Rabies Day to raise awareness about the impact of rabies and how to prevent the disease. Rabies is a virus that can cause serious damage to the nervous system of humans and animals, and is almost always fatal once symptoms develop. [...]
Our Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System has been awarded $3.1 million by the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for development of a comprehensive first responder opioid/naloxone program in partnership with the University of Arizona and the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training board. Naloxone is a medication [...]
Our Food Safety and Environmental Services Program was recently awarded a cooperative agreement from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The funding will provide support to build a nationally integrated food safety system through participation in the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards. The funding will also provide local oversight and support to Arizona businesses involved in the [...]
The Arizona Department of Health Services is now a nationally accredited public health agency! This week the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) awarded our agency this prominent designation that recognizes the innovative work we do to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing and transforming the quality of our statewide public health [...]
September is Sepsis awareness month. Get Ahead of Sepsis is a national effort to protect people from the devastating effects of sepsis. This initiative emphasizes the importance of early recognition and timely treatment of sepsis, as well as the importance of preventing infections that could lead to sepsis. Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to [...]
Each year, the United States Department of Agriculture through the Census Bureau conducts a survey to assess the extent that households struggle to put enough food on the table. In 2016, 12.3 percent of U.S. households were food insecure – meaning that they had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for [...]
In our recent history, national catastrophic events such as the 9/11 attacks, anthrax letters, Hurricane Katrina, and the threat of pandemic influenza led to an entirely new era in public health emergency preparedness. Policy makers from across the nation saw the need to further integrate public health into the emergency management, first responder, and health [...]
