AHCCCS Addressing Social Determinants of Health Via Community Reinvestment
AHCCCS continues to innovate in its approach to healthcare. In their latest move, they’re focusing on the broader social factors that affect health. For example, their recently updated ACOM Policy 303 – Community Reinvestment is looking to require their contractors to reinvest a portion of their net profits into initiatives that directly address the social determinants of health across Arizona. AHCCCS has had a community reinvestment requirement for many years – but
FDA: Adolescent E-Cigarette Use Declines Nationally
The FDA announced this week that youth e-cigarette use in the US has dropped to its lowest level in a decade! This decline is encouraging news and, according to the FDA, largely attributed to ‘comprehensive federal and state efforts to reduce tobacco use among adolescents, including education campaigns and regulations that limit access to e-cigarettes’. Nationally, the percentage of high school students who reported current e-cigarette use dropped from 14%
FDA Conditionally Approves At-Home FluMist Vaccine
The FDA recently approved the at-home administration of FluMist, an intranasal influenza vaccine, for individuals aged 2 to 49 years. This new option is intended to be available for the next flu season (2025-2026) – allowing either self-administration or caregiver administration. The FDA’s approval for at-home use is subject to several conditions, including meeting stringent storage and administration requirements. For example, patients or caregivers must follow detailed instructions for proper
Protect Adolescents: Keep Meningitis Vaccinations on Track
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is considering changes to the meningococcal vaccine schedule that could have serious negative consequences for adolescents. The ACIP is considering three different options to alter the current recommendations for meningococcal disease, one of which is dangerous and administratively damaging. Option 3 is the worst option ACIP will be considering. It would end the recommendation for adolescents to get their first dose of the meningococcal
Cottage Food Draft Rule Out for Comment
ADHS has drafted rules for the Cottage Food Program. The Department has posted draft rules for comment on the Cottage Food Rulemaking Page, including an Online Survey. The comment period will close on October 13, 2024. Arizona legalizes street sales of homecooked tamales Hobbs orders ADHS to implement ‘tamale bill’ to avert delay ADHS – Rulemakings in Progress – Cottage Foods
AHCCCS Tackling Housing Instability with Their New ‘H2O’ Program
October 1 marks the beginning of the federal fiscal year – and with it comes one of the most exciting initiatives coming out of AHCCCS in a long time – their new Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O) program. So, what’s H2O about? It’s about tackling one of the most pressing issues for individuals with serious mental illness and other high-risk groups: stable housing. Addressing Healthcare & Housing Infographic AHCCCS leadership