Preventing Child Fatalities in Arizona: The Case for Firearm Safety Reform
Back in the mid 1990’s the AZ State Legislature set up the Arizona Child Fatality Review Program to evaluate every child death and provide evidence-based policy recommendations to prevent child deaths. Over the years many policy and operational interventions came out of these reports, from safe sleep to new seat belt laws for kids. The goal of each year’s report is to conduct a comprehensive review of all child deaths
Public Health Journalism this Week
Gun-related deaths soar among Arizona youth, but fewer are dying from fentanyl Does your throat hurt when you swallow? It could be the flu Arizona saw 853 children die in 2023. Nearly half were preventable Maricopa County backyard flock tests positive for bird flu How Trump’s Picks for HHS Could Impact Arizonans: Sunday Squareoff More Arizona kindergartners are getting vaccine exemptions – Axios Phoenix
Arizona’s SMI System: Performance Improvement & Accountability Start with Measurement
In public health and health care, tracking and measuring performance isn’t just about generating numbers—it’s about accountability. For state agencies, transparency in reporting is the foundation for finding gaps, distributing resources effectively, and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations. AHCCCS’ recent report under state law shows the power of measurement in holding agencies accountable. What Gets Measured Gets Done: Tackling Housing & Incarceration Challenges for Persons with a Serious Mental Illness
What Gets Measured Gets Done: Tackling Housing & Incarceration Challenges for Persons with Serious Mental Illness
The old adage from the U.S. Management Association is right: What gets measured gets done. AHCCCS’ latest report highlights some of the basic information about outcomes and social determinants for folks Serious Mental Illness (SMI) designation. The findings paint a challenging picture about homelessness, housing waitlists, and incarceration rates among the 63,000 folks living with a serious mental illness in Arizona. AHCCCS 2024 Serious Mental Illness Report Housing & Homelessness Let’s
The CMS Director Oversees Healthcare & 22% of the Federal Budget: We Need Someone Experienced in Managing a Large Organizations & Navigating Complex System to Run CMS — Not an Entertainer
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services runs with an annual budget of $1.5 trillion—22% of the total federal budget. That’s more than the Defense Department! With this massive responsibility, CMS is at the heart of the U.S. healthcare system, overseeing programs and policies that touch the lives of nearly every American. Running an agency with such a scope and impact requires a leader with deep administrative experience managing large budgets
Why America Needs a Health Star Rating for Food Labels like the Aussies Have
Imagine going grocery shopping and, with just a glance, knowing how healthy each item is for you. That’s what Australia’s Health Star Rating system offers—an easy-to-read star ranking on food packaging, helping consumers make healthier choices. Foods are rated from 0.5 to 5 stars, considering nutritional elements like sugars, sodium, saturated fats, and positive components like protein and fiber. Health Star Rating – Health Star Rating Australia’s Health Star Rating