A resident of Wickenburg, Arizona and her husband reported experiencing some adverse health effects that she felt may be attributed to a recent pesticide application to her home. The family requested the Arizona Department of Health Services to evaluate whether the remaining levels of pesticides present in her home would cause any health effects. The resident reported to ADHS that their symptoms continued to worsen over time, and that the chemical continued to pool in their house even after being wiped up several times, so that she and her husband vacated the house. The couple underwent extensive testing, and are receiving oxygen treatment to alleviate their symptoms. No medical records have been submitted to ADHS for review, and it is difficult to conclusively analyze health outcome information as it has been self reported.

The objective of this health assessment is to provide an evaluation of the health risks that may result from exposure to abandoned mine tailings in Klondyke, Arizona. The tailings are remnants from an earlier flotation mill and mining operation that was in business from the early 1900's until 1950. Environmental data indicate that the 70,000 cubic yards of tailings that remain on the property have contaminated the soil and nearby creeks with heavy metals. This report evaluates the potential pathways of human exposure to the contaminated media. The contaminants of concern further evaluated are lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, manganese, and boron. Child health issues and community concerns are also an integral part of the evaluation.

The Arizona Department of Health Services was asked by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to evaluate the potential health effects from inhalation of toxic vapors as a result of an unplanned, concentrated nitric acid release. According to Hudson Farms, at approximately 1 pm on July 1st, concentrated nitric acid began escaping from a small leak in a 33,000 gallon storage tank. By 4:30 pm, the first responding fire department units observed an orange colored plume that was moving with the wind direction. The large plume continued to dissipate throughout the area until about 8:30 pm that night. Small amounts of nitric acid that was generally restricted to the Hudson property continued to leak until approximately 8 am the morning of July 2nd when pumping of acid waste waters into emergency storage tanks was completed. It is estimated by ADEQ that a total of 4,0 00-4,500 gallons of concentrated nitric acid was released from the storage tank. Approximately 600 people from the town of Laveen and the Gila River Indian Community were immediately evacuated. Residents were allowed re -entry to their homes the following day, July 2nd at approximately 10 am.

The objective of this health assessment is to provide an evaluation of current and future potential health risks that may result from exposure to residual organochlorine pesticides at Franklin Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has been unoccupied for the past 10 years. The historic school building is being restored by the school district, which plans to reopen the building for use as an elementary school. Several organochlorine pesticides were discovered in the soil during routine environmental sampling done in conjunction with the renovation. In particular, chlordane and dieldrin, banned in the United States in the early 1980's, were present in concentrations above screening levels.

While virtually all children have contact with the health care system at some point, many problems may not be detected until children enter school. By offering low-income families and children access to health care and a regular point of contact, the AHCCCS program is uniquely positioned to provide high-quality, comprehensive preventive services that help assure the healthy development of children.

This report analyzes Contractor Performance Indicators in three perinatal areas: 1) Low Birth Weight Deliveries; 2) Prenatal Care in the First Trimester; 3) Initiation of Prenatal Care. The results of this analysis should be viewed as indicators of access to services, rather than absolute rates for how well AHCCCS and/or its Contractors provide care.

This report includes results for the measurement period from October 1, 2000, through September 30, 2001. Results of the indicators are reported in aggregate by urban (Maricopa and Pima counties) and rural areas, and by individual Contractors that provide services to Medicaid recipients.

This report includes Performance Indicators for services provided to children and adolescents enrolled with AHCCCS acute-care Contractors (health plans). The results reported here should be viewed as indicators of access to services, rather than absolute rates for how successfully AHCCCS and/or its Contractors provide care.

This report includes results for the measurement period from October 1, 2000, through September 30, 2001. Results of the indicators are reported in aggregate by urban (Maricopa and Pima counties) and the combined rural counties, as well as by individual Contractors. Results for the current measurement period are reported as a relative percentage change from the previous year. The report also indicates whether this change (increase or decrease) is statistically significant; that is, whether the change is probably true and not merely due to chance. The statistically significant value is calculated using the Pearson chi-square test.

This is the sixth annual assessment of influenza immunizations and pneumococcal vaccinations. This report analyzes Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) Contractor performance.

Results of this study were based on measurements of a select group of members who were continuously enrolled from September 1, 2001, through April 30, 2002. The results did not include members who were not eligible to receive Medicare, those who received acute care services only, those who enrolled into ALTCS after December 1, 2001, or those who expired during the measurement period.

Results for the current measurement period are reported as relative changes from the previous measurement period, where applicable. The report also indicates whether this change is statistically significant, that is, whether the change is probably true and not merely due to chance.

While this project measured whether members received a minimum of one Hb A1c test annually according to HEDIS criteria, clinical practice guidelines recommend Hb A1c testing at least twice a year for patients who have stable glycemic control and quarterly for patients who are not meeting glycemic goals. To further improve care and health outcomes for members with diabetes, Contractors should continue to focus on ensuring that members with diabetes receive Hb A1c tests and other preventive-care services at the recommended intervals.

The purpose of the Children’s Oral Health Performance Improvement Project (PIP) is to increase the rate of annual dental visits among AHCCCS members 3 through 20 years old, in order to make more progress toward AHCCCS and Healthy People 2010 goals. This project specifically focuses on children who are 3 through 8 years old, as this appears to be a critical time in a child’s life to ensure that he or she receives regular dental care. Contractors participating in this PIP include acute-care health plans, CMDP, DDD and health plans that serve elderly and physically disabled members through the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS).

Data for the project were collected from AHCCCS administrative data (i.e., records of claims paid by Contractors, known as encounters). The remeasurement period was the contract year from October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004.