Data is an instrumental component of public health that helps us monitor population health, plan and evaluate interventions, and track priorities. One of our most valuable sources of public health data is the annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which is a telephone survey that collects data from Arizona adults 18 and older. The BRFSS survey collects data related [...]
The purpose of the Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP) is to move the dial on important health outcomes and it is an important component of Public Health Accreditation. A lot has been going on behind the scenes to move us forward in the accreditation process. Below is an update of the work we have done [...]
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 [...]
Many Arizona residents live in food deserts, which are areas that lack healthy, affordable, good-quality food. Having access to nutritious food requires that food be available in the community and that households can afford it. In Arizona, twenty-one and a half percent of households with children are food insecure. Childhood food security and childhood obesity [...]
For the past several weeks, local and state public health have identified cases of measles in both detainees and staff members at a federal detention center in Eloy, Arizona; however no cases have been identified in community members unrelated to the facility. For the past week we have been holding steady at 22 confirmed cases. [...]
Over the past few weeks, flu activity across the state has been decreasing. It’s not a break for the flu team though. Flu cases still occur and surveillance activities continue throughout the summer; however, activities are different in the non-peak activity (summer) and peak activity (winter) seasons. During the summer, case investigations are performed on all flu [...]
Is it really true? Could cookie dough make us sick? If you’ve been watching or reading the news lately, you may have heard about a new outbreak that is linked to dough made with contaminated flour. What is unusual about this outbreak is that the source was not from the usual suspect, raw egg, but [...]
This year marked the fourth year that our Bureau of Medical Facilities Licensing partnered with stakeholders to provide a day-long educational session for end-stage renal dialysis (ESRD) providers in Arizona. This year we saw an increase in attendees from other states. Approximately 135 participants attended the 2016 ADVICE Collaborative to identify data-driven opportunities to improve [...]
Unintentional drug overdoses reigns as the leading cause of accidental death nationally and in Arizona. We have worked with several organizations for the past four years to help implement the Arizona Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Initiative. We recently welcomed United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to conduct Grand Rounds with clinicians and others [...]
Our Bureau of EMS and Trauma System recently launched the Arizona Treat and Refer Recognition Program by publishing the manual and application on its website. This innovative program is the result of several months of collaboration between ADHS, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), and EMS stakeholders. Treat and Refer programs are an [...]
