Arizona Counties Label Obesity as Top Public-Health Priority

It might not be surprising, but county health departments in Arizona ranked obesity the top public-health priority, according to a survey in the state’s first-ever comprehensive health assessment.In the past 20 years, Arizona’s had a 19 percent increase in the amount of people who are obese or overweight — the…

Maricopa County Officials Say There’s a “Bloody Diarrhea Outbreak”

Here’s something that sounds horrifying: Maricopa County health officials say there’s a “bloody diarrhea outbreak” in the West Valley.Dr. Bob England, director of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, says the 11 people who have reported this illness know each other.UPDATE: The bloody diarrhea has been linked to Federico’s…

How You’re Most Likely to Die, in One Chart

If you’ve ever wondered what’s most likely to put you in a body bag at the end of the day, then wonder no more.A recent report from the Arizona Department of Health Services includes a list of the top 10 killers for 10 age groups of people in Arizona, all…

Jan Brewer’s Medicaid Expansion Plan Passes Legislature

Despite the outcry from the state’s far-right-wingers, Governor Jan Brewer’s plan for Medicaid expansion plan now only requires her signature to become law.While it certainly seemed odd that Brewer would embrace a part of “Obamacare,” months after shoving her finger in President Obama’s face, she was able to focus more…

Poisoning Killed More Arizonans Than Guns in 2011

While gun-control advocates have been showing off a report that shows more Arizonans have died from bullets in the last few years than car accidents, that report neglects the number-one cause of injury deaths in Arizona — poison.A report on injuries released today by the Arizona Department of Health Services…

Arizona has Third-Highest Rate of Uninsured Children in Nation, Study Shows

Almost 13 percent of Arizona children are uninsured — the third-highest rate in the nation, according to a new study by Georgetown University.Coming in at No. 1 was Nevada, with 16.2 percent of its kids uninsured, followed by Texas, with 13.2 percent.The study, conducted by the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute’s…

Arizona Cashes in On $40.8 Million Settlement With Drug Companies

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne today agreed to a hefty $40.8 million settlement agreement with GlaxoSmithKline LLC  and PB Pharmco — companies accused of distributing defective drugs.After divvying up the settlement between 37 states and the District of Columbia that also filed complaints, Arizona’s raking getting $1.4 million.From 2001 to 2004, the…

Arizona has Lowest Rate of Cancer in Nation, Report Says

Arizona is near the bottom when it comes to per-capita income, education spending, and its chances of an economic recovery. But being last isn’t always a bad thing: A new report shows that Arizona has the lowest rates of cancer in the country. According to a news release put out today…