To promote, protect, and improve the health and wellness of individuals and communities in Arizona
Health and Wellness for All Arizonans
Published by Arizona Department of Health Services
Office of the Director
150 N.18th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
The Arizona Department of Health Services is committed to the health and wellness of all Arizonans as we provide public health services for their entire lifecycle. Many people often don't recognize the impact that public health has on every facet of our daily lives. Through this report, we will show the many ways we help improve the lives of all Arizonans by:
We also operate the Arizona State Hospital, which provides high acuity, inpatient psychiatric services to our state's most vulnerable residents. ADHS is proud to be a part of Arizona's strong public health system, providing safe parks, clean air, clean water, safe meals and a healthy environment to raise our families. The work we do truly adds value to our state and brings health and wellness to all Arizonans.
The Strategic Map provides ADHS with a clear strategic direction over the next five years, a path for implementing the strategy and an effective approach for community involvement. The Strategic Map allows the entire agency to come together under the single public health umbrella concentrating on activities and resources that will achieve better outcomes.
July 1, 2015
ADHS State Lab implements a new test to screen newborns for critical congenital heart defects. This becomes the 30th newborn screening test performed for every baby born in Arizona.
July 1, 2015
ADHS Director and hospital CEO create a new quality department and implement a new electronic incident reporting system to provide staff with immediate notification of hospital activity.
July 17, 2015
ADHS, along with Diagnostic Laboratory and Radiology, provide about 150 long-term care leaders and staff with education and key tools to strengthen their infection prevention programs' action against healthcare-associated infections.
July 20, 2015
Arizona's Cancer Registry was featured with Arizona Melanoma Task Force in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's [CDC] Skin Cancer Prevention Progress Report's "Success Stories from the Field."
July 21-23, 2015
The department hosts the sixth annual Arizona Infectious Disease Training and Exercise to bring our statewide public health community together and discuss the latest advances and best practices in preventing and controlling infectious disease.
July 29, 2015
Process improvement teams deploy an electronic health record system at the hospital. This upgrade allows doctors, nurses and staff to capture clinical data related to our patients into electronic medical records throughout the hospital system.
August 1, 2015
Arizona identifies and investigates the nation's first ever, simultaneous reports of West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.
August 4, 2015
ISO 17025 accreditation is given to the State Lab for food safety testing.
August 4, 2015
Showcasing Arizona's foodborne illness prevention work, ADHS is featured on FDA's 50 state food safety Twitter tour.
August 11, 2015
ADHS receives five Awards for Excellence in Public Health Communications from the National Public Health Information Coalition including a Gold Medal award for our Voyage Trekkers youth anti-tobacco web video series.
August 13, 2015
Saving lives by reducing opioid deaths; ADHS worked with law enforcement and first responders to create training to recognize an opioid overdose and administer naloxone to reverse the effects.
August 18, 2015
ADHS, Safe Sleep Task Force, and Community Partners launch the Safe Sleep Campaign to educate parents on the ABCs of Safe Sleep for infants to sleep Alone, on their Backs, in a Crib.
August 20, 2015
Patients and staff of the Arizona State Hospital up their therapeutic environment game as they display their entertainment talents during the ASH's Got Talent! show.
August 31, 2015
CDC awards ADHS a $3.6 million grant as part of the Prescription Drug Overdose: Prevention for States program.
September 2, 2015
Garden variety cucumbers grown outside of the United States are linked to 66 cases of Salmonella poisoning in Arizona and are part of a larger multi-state investigation of 285 Salmonella cases in 27 states.
September 8, 2015
The Arizona State Hospital receives restoration of its status as a provider of hospital services following a recent inspection from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The announcement follows a three month intensive reform effort to provide a safe and therapeutic environment for patients and staff.
September 9-10th, 2015
More than 800 home visitors convene for education and training to help Arizona families raise healthy children.
September 17, 2015
The inaugural summit brings 85 physicians, social workers, nurses and pharmacists from across the state together to increase their awareness of the disease and ability to treat viral hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS infection and liver cancer.
September 18, 2015
The department earns two first place Health Education Media Making Yearly, or HEMMY, awards from the Arizona Public Health Association for our work in childhood lead poisoning prevention and diabetes.
September 25, 2015
ADHS submits its application to the Public Health Accreditation Board. Agencies awarded are credited with advancing quality and performance within public health. We hope to know our accreditation status in early 2017. Wish us luck!
October 2, 2015
ADHS partners with local health departments, Midwestern University, the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health, and others to educate more than 100 dental providers and staff on the key concepts and basic principles of infection prevention in dental settings.
October 6, 2015
The hospital is notified it demonstrates compliance with Joint Commission accreditation standards. The nod shows the great team of doctors, nurses and staff are meeting standards above and beyond patient care guidelines.
October 6, 2015
It's Only Dangerous When You Don't Know It's There is designed to positively promote and support HIV-related public health and safety.
October 12, 2015
As part of the national response to the Ebola crisis, the lab is awarded grant funding to improve biosafety readiness in Arizona. The three year plan will cover the latest techniques and procedures for conducting biosafety risk assessment, gap remediation, and mitigation of potential hazards.
October 20, 2015
ADHS brings together the state's pain management and medical experts to help make recommendations for health care providers and take actions to reduce overdose deaths associated with the opioid epidemic.
October 24, 2015
Arizona's Empower Program is selected for inclusion in the third revision of SNAP-Ed Strategies & Interventions: An Obesity Prevention Toolkit for States.
October 26, 2015
Arizona's smoking prevalence rates are at an all-time low of 15.3 percent, down almost a full percentage point from last year, according to the CDC's, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The drop represents approximately 40,000 fewer smokers in Arizona in the past year.
October 31, 2015
Our medical team is recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a perfect score on its federal contract deliverables.
November 2, 2015
The United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] looks to help us develop the WIC state plan over a five month Six Sigma process improvement project. The national project is designed to streamline the process for WIC programs throughout the country.
November 5, 2015
The March of Dimes 2015 Premature Birth Report Card gives our state a "B" grade for babies born close to full-term, during or after the 37th week of pregnancy. The March of Dimes grades Arizona cities with the greatest number of births on their 2013 preterm birth rates. A preterm birth is considered to occur before the 37th week of pregnancy.
November 16, 2015
This colorful campaign focuses on promoting preparing and eating healthy meals with the family. Move room to room with us as we show you all the ways to Brighten the Family Table.
November 17, 2015
An open forum is established for patients to talk to hospital administrators about what's on their mind. The free flowing discussion allows hospital staff to hear positive feedback and identify areas for improvement so we may provide a safe and therapeutic environment for our patients and staff.
November 21, 2015
Supporting Arizona families in their legal process of becoming a family, the ADHS Vital Records team processes 295 birth certificates on National Adoption Day.
December 1, 2015
December 10, 2015
Responding to Governor Doug Ducey’s call for government transformation, ADHS employees are deployed to provide professional, results-driven systems to improve internal and external services for several of our sister agencies.
December 11-12, 2015
More than 20 ADHS staff give their time and professional support during the annual Dental Mission of Mercy event at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Organizers say 1,825 patients in need are provided with free dental care over the two day period, some of them receiving dental care for the first time.
December 17th, 2015
ADHS, the Arizona Pediatric Disaster Coalition, and Arizona schools conduct an emergency preparedness exercise to improve the relationship between hospitals and schools in order to streamline emergency care for vulnerable pediatric populations.
December 22, 2015
Focusing on the patient experience, the Human Rights Committee creates an atmosphere of holiday wonder at the Arizona State Hospital.
December 31, 2015
The list of names given to babies born in Arizona during 2015 show the name, Sophia, holds a five year lead as the top girl’s name in Arizona while the name, Noah, stays on the top of the boys’ list for a second year. The top baby names come from birth certificates submitted to the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Records.
January 20, 2016
Survey shows 13,000 fewer high school aged youth are using tobacco in our state.
January 26, 2016
ADHS releases a new report showing a significant decrease in patient mortality rates from trauma and injury. Overall, trauma death rates have declined by 29 percent since 2006 with more than 5,200 lives saved.
January 28, 2016
CDC credits Arizona for leading the way in diabetes self-management education. Residents with prediabetes and diabetes increased their participation by 34 percent from 2012 to 2014 building their knowledge, skill, and abilities necessary for diabetes self-care.
February 5, 2016
The Association of Public Health Laboratories requests State Lab staff present to its national audience to share information on how our laboratory established its biosafety outreach program as well as our strategies for continuing future improvement.
February 9, 2016
#AZAwesome fact: Arizona continues to be among the nation's leaders in tobacco control and is ranked in the top ten in several categories, including decreasing tobacco use among adults, youth, and pregnant women.
February 10, 2016
ADHS encourages flu vaccination as more than 3,700 cases of flu are reported throughout Arizona in February with 51 percent of those in Maricopa County.
February 19, 2016
The World Health Organization declares the end of Ebola virus transmission in Guinea effectively declaring the area has stopped the chain of transmission. There were no reported cases of Ebola in the state and ADHS remains vigilant in its preparation for infectious disease outbreaks.
February 29, 2016
The development of the Arizona State Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP), Healthy People, Healthy Communities, is the result of the diligent work of numerous public health professionals, advocates and community stakeholders at the state, county and community levels. View our plan to improve the health of communities and individuals across Arizona.
March 1-2, 2016
The department participates in a full scale exercise with Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Arizona Department of Emergency Management and Maricopa County. The drill is graded by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to test our response to an emergency at the power plant.
March 2, 2016
The Arizona State Senate unanimously confirms Cara Christ, M.D. as the director of ADHS. Dr. Christ has served the agency for more than nine years. Among her many accomplishments at ADHS, Dr. Christ collaborated with health partners and stakeholders to develop strategic plans for infectious disease prevention and control including the Governor's Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. Follow the Director on Twitter @DrCaraChrist.
March 3, 2016
National and State Healthcare Associated Infections Progress Report shows Arizona reduces the rate of infections in five of six healthcare associated infection types compared to 2013. Visit the Prevent HAI website to learn more about how ADHS is working to reduce these types of infections.
March 8, 2016
Our tobacco and nutrition network campaigns secure national recognition for our public education and outreach efforts. The awards include the Best in Show award and National Campaign Gold Award for the DeNoble files and TV Commercial Gold Award for How Much Longer.
March 28, 2016
The state lab was one of the first three state labs approved to test for Zika virus in humans. The confirmed case was in a patient who traveled outside of the U.S. to a Zika affected area before developing symptoms of illness. ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ states, "While this is a first, the risk of this virus spreading throughout Arizona is very low. Arizona's public health system has a plan in place and we are ready to rapidly respond."
March 29, 2016
The report provides statewide numbers and rates of vital statistics including Arizona births, reportable diseases and hospital discharges. Public health uses the data to understand statewide trends and determine high-risk geographical areas within our state so we may initiate public health programs where needed.
March 29, 2016
ADHS is awarded $10.9 million to continue its federal Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting grant that provides services to pregnant women and families with young children in targeted communities.
April 1, 2016
State and local public health professionals from Arizona travel to CDC headquarters in Atlanta for the national summit. During the summit, Arizona is acknowledged for its preparation efforts already in place for mosquito-borne infectious disease identification and prevention.
April 1, 2016
Governor Ducey signed Senate Bill 1194 on February 24, 2015, expanding ADHS' State Loan Repayment Program. New administrative rules implementing the changes go into effect today, enhancing the types of eligible providers and loan repayments available for health care professionals working in underserved areas of Arizona.
April 6, 2016
Arizona sees a 61.7 percent drop in teen pregnancy rates among 15-17 year olds between 2004-2014.
April 7, 2016
The Arizona Biomedical Research Commission and University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix hold the Lifeline to the Future conference with policy makers, patients and their families, researchers, and clinicians in attendance.
April 26, 2016
April 28, 2016
CDC awards Arizona with nearly $175,000 in grant funding to provide public health surveillance of newly delivered mothers and work to identify ways to improve birth outcomes for Arizona's babies.
April 30, 2016
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and International Lactation Consultant Association recognize ADHS for excellence in lactation care with the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Care Award.
April 30, 2016
The DeNoble files are a series of videos geared toward Arizona youth to let them know about the dangers of tobacco use. The series features voiceovers from Victor DeNoble, a former Phillip Morris scientist and first whistleblower to testify before Congress about nicotine addiction.
May 1, 2016
Wade Carpenter Middle School seventh grader Kassandra Loya submitted her winning artwork to the department to show how we all can prevent skin cancer by being SunWise. The Arizona Diamondbacks joined us in featuring Kassandra's winning artwork on the pre-game Jumbo Tron and then asked her to throw the opening pitch for the Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies game!
May 2, 2016
ADHS shows you how to get your body moving with fun, free activities that bring your family together. Visit the Arizona Nutrition Network online to learn how easy it can be to incorporate physical activity into our daily routines.
May 4, 2016
We our employees. Governor Ducey declares May 4 as Arizona State Employee Recognition Day and the ADHS leadership got to work serving breakfast and lunch to our amazing employees. It's a small token of our enormous appreciation for this dedicated team that comes to work every day to improve the health and wellness of all Arizonans.
May 8-14, 2016
In partnership with the Arizona Department of Administration, ADHS organizes presentations and health screenings to support the national call for women to focus on their health at any age. More than 350 state employees attended the event at the State Capitol.
May 11, 2016
The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs recognizes our Power Me A2Z program for the distribution and education of folic acid in women 18-45 years old.
May 12, 2016
HB 2355 allows a pharmacist to dispense Naloxone without a prescription to a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose, a family member or community member in a position to assist that person.
May 19, 2016
Working with AHCCCS and stakeholders, ADHS develops a Treat and Refer Program to increase the public's access to community-based social, behavioral and physical healthcare resources through first responders.
May 24, 2016
More than 300 public health partners convene for the statewide summit to learn more about Zika virus and coordinate planning, prevention, and response efforts.
May 26, 2016
A measles outbreak begins at a private detention facility in Eloy, Arizona. Public health employees work tirelessly to investigate the series of measles infected individuals, identify points of community contact, and vaccinate individuals working at the detention facility to stop the outbreak. Daily updates are posted to our website along with areas of possible public exposure and resources available for clinicians, school nurses, residents and media.
May 29, 2016
ADHS teams up with the Arizona Department of Education to promote "Summer Lunch Buddies." The initiative promotes healthy meals for kids when school is out. Families are introduced to our new interactive site locator to help them find a Summer Food Service Program at Summer Food Service Program.
May 31, 2016
The rulemaking allows for integrated services to occur at the same physical outpatient treatment center location under multiple licenses (colocation). Previous rulemakings only allowed for integration of behavioral and physical health services to occur under a single health care institution license.
June 1, 2016
ADHS announces a public private partnership concept to enhance and improve behavioral health services within the 93-acre campus.
June 3, 2016
Arizona House Health Committee Chair and State Representative Heather Carter is recognized for her advocacy for and contributions to public health in Arizona.
June 13th, 2016
America's top doc Vivek Murthy brings his #TurnTheTide on opioid misuse tour to ADHS to visit with Dr. Cara Christ and the state's public health leaders.
June 14-15, 2016
ADHS, together with the International Society of Disease Surveillance and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, hosts a workshop to identify better ways of using multiple kinds of data to enhance surveillance capacity for disease spread by mosquitos. The event allows partners to develop strategies to better target public health actions to reduce disease spread.
June 16, 2016
Working to improve infection control at dialysis facilities, the day-long event brings nearly 135 participants together to identify data-driven opportunities to improve dialysis services and share best practices in clinical care, infection control, and biomedical services in Arizona.
June 23, 2016
The numbers show healthy employees reduce their risk for both short-term illness and long-term chronic conditions. ADHS is proud to be recognized for its health and wellness employee initiatives.
June 24, 2016
Dr. Cara Christ and Public Health Preparedness Branch Chief Jessica Rigler attend a White House Summit in Washington, D.C. to coordinate states' preparation for battling the spread of Zika virus in the U.S.
June 30, 2016
The Division of Behavioral Health Services joins AHCCCS to administratively streamline monitoring and oversight of the Regional Behavioral Health Authorities throughout Arizona.
This report is provided as required by A.R.S. § 36-137
Note: ADHS is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except state holidays.
Any documents contained on this Web site that are translations from original text written in English are unofficial and not binding on this state or a political subdivision of this state. To learn about how ADHS collects information about website users, please review our Website Privacy Policy. Los documentos que son traducciones al Español y que se encuentran en esta página Web no tienen validez oficial ni legal en este Estado o en alguna entidad politica del mismo. © 2009 - 2016 Arizona Department of Health Services
