Arkansas Department of Health

PRESS RELEASES

If you have media inquiries, please contact the Office of Health Communications at adh.communications@arkansas.gov.

Stroke a leading cause of death in Arkansas

Posted: 10/27/17

Little Rock, Ark. – Arkansas has one of the highest death rates from stroke in the nation. In the United States, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, and one in six people worldwide will have a stroke in their lifetime. In recognition of World Stroke Day on October 29, the Read More

Policy Updated for Infection Prevention in Pediatric Clinics

Posted: 10/25/17

Little Rock, Ark. – The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently updated its policy regarding healthcare-acquired infections and antibiotic use in pediatric care settings. The new recommendations highlight: the basic but critical role of handwashing and cough etiquette; antibiotic restraint for respiratory, throat, urinary, and ear infections; communication with Read More

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 22-28, 2017

Posted: 10/24/17

Little Rock, Ark. – Childhood lead poisoning is considered to be the most preventable environmental disease among young children; yet, approximately half a million children in the United States have blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter, the level at which Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Read More

Arkansans Urged to Test Homes for Radon, the Second Leading Cause of Lung Cancer in the U.S.

Posted: 10/17/17

Little Rock, AR — The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Radiation Control Section, is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage them to take action to protect their homes and families. Read More

Arkansas Awarded $7,107,244 to Support Families Through HRSA’s Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood

Posted: 10/11/17

Little Rock, Ark. – The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced $7,107,244 in funding to Arkansas through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program. These grant funds allow the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) to continue to provide voluntary, evidence-based and promising practice home visiting services Read More

Arkansas Suicide Prevention Awareness Proclamation

Posted: 09/12/17

Little Rock, Ark. – On Wednesday, September 6, representatives from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) gathered at the state capitol to read and acknowledge Governor Asa Hutchinson’s proclamation of September as Arkansas Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and September 10-16 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Week. ADH was joined by Read More

ADH declares end of Mumps outbreak

Posted: 09/08/17

Little Rock, Ark. – This week, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) declared the end of the recent Mumps outbreak in the state. The last confirmed case was on July 13, 2017, over 52 days ago. The number of infections in the state has returned to the baseline (non-outbreak) levels. The ADH Read More

Mandatory Boil Order for Biscoe and Fredonia

Posted: 09/07/17

Little Rock, Ark. – A mandatory boil water order has been issued for the Prairie County community of Biscoe, also known as Fredonia, and also for customers who are south of I-40 in the vicinity of Biscoe/Fredonia who are served by East Prairie County Water Association. Customers should observe Read More

Rabid Dog in Mississippi County

Posted: 07/13/17

Northeast Arkansas – For the first time in more than two decades, Mississippi County has a confirmed case of rabies. A dog from Mississippi County, Arkansas has tested positive for the virus. The dog was exposed to a skunk in mid-June of this year. All those who Read More

Case of Heartland virus found in Arkansas resident

Posted: 07/10/17

Little Rock, Ark. - Arkansas has identified its first case of Heartland virus, a relatively new tickborne disease, in an individual living in the northwest part of the state. People become infected with Heartland virus through the bite of the Lone Star tick. Patients are most likely to Read More