Healthy Communities

Novel Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus including cases outside Wuhan, with additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally. Investigations are ongoing. Click HERE to learn more.

To join the Health Alert Network (HAN) and receive crucial information about emerging public health threats and events, click here.
 

Downloads & Resources
Health Alert: Travelers from Wuhan, China (flyer)
Novel Coronavirus Advisory
For Clinicians
Job Aid for Clinicians
Patient Under Investigation (PUI Form)

Mumps Update

A number of college campuses across the country are experiencing mumps outbreaks. As of January 10, 2020, thirty-seven (37) mumps cases have been associated with the outbreak at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus. The latest outbreak update can be found here.

Anyone experiencing mumps symptoms (the first of which is usually swelling cheeks) should isolate themselves at home or in their dorms for five days after initial symptoms appear. All students are encouraged to practice preventative measures like avoiding sharing drinks, washing their hands often, and avoiding close contact with those who are sick.

The Arkansas Department of Health is continuing to investigate the outbreak and identify how and where mumps is being transmitted while working closely with the university to make recommendations to prevent the spread of mumps.

For more information on the mumps, click here.

Third Dose of MMR Recommendation

Two MMR doses are 88 percent effective at preventing the mumps. This means that 12 percent of people who receive the recommended two doses may still develop the mumps if exposed. University students are particularly susceptible to the mumps during an outbreak, especially if they are in frequent contact with other students in dorms, sports teams, or activity groups. So far, nearly all of the involved cases have received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

Someone who is determined to be at high risk for developing the mumps may be asked to receive a third dose of the MMR vaccine. Unless you receive notification that you are considered to be at high risk, a third dose is not recommended at this time. If you have been exposed to the mumps, a third dose of MMR will not keep you from developing symptoms; however, it will help stop further spread of the disease among your close contacts. If you are vaccinated and still develop mumps, your symptoms are expected to be less severe. There is also less of a risk of developing serious complications from the mumps, like deafness, meningitis, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), orchitis (swelling of the testicles), and oophoritis (swelling of the ovaries). Vaccines are available at many doctors’ offices and pharmacies.

Provisionally Desginated as Arkansas Stroke Ready Hospitals

Note: All UAMS Institute for Digital Health and Innovation Telestroke sites and all Mercy Telestroke participating sites in Arkansas that have not yet received official ADH designation, but are capable of providing initial acute stroke care, have been provisionally designated as Arkansas Stroke Ready Hospitals (ArSRHs). The Arkansas Department of Health is in the process of completing the official designations for these hospitals.

Hospital County

Arkansas Methodist Medical Center

 Greene

Baptist Health Medical Center - Conway

 Faulkner

Bradley County Medical Center

Bradley

John Ed Chambers Memorial Hospital

 Yell

Izard County Medical Center

 Izard

CrossRidge Community Hospital

 Cross

Dardanelle Regional Medical Center

 Yell

Delta Memorial Hospital

 Desha

DeWitt Hospital

 Arkansas

Eureka Springs Hospital

 Carroll

Fulton County Hospital

 Fulton

Great River Medical Center

 Mississippi

Helena Regional Medical Center

 Phillips

Howard Memorial Hospital

 Howard

Jefferson Regional Medical Center

 Jefferson

Lawrence Memorial Hospital

 Lawrence

Little River Memorial Hospital

Little River

Magnolia Regional Medical Center

 Columbia 

McGehee Hospital

 Desha

Mena Regional Medical Center

 Polk

Mercy Hospital Berryville

 Carroll

North Arkansas Regional Medical Center

 Boone

Piggott Community Hospital

 Clay

Saline Memorial Hospital

 Saline

Siloam Springs Regional Hospital

 Benton

SMC Regional Medical Center

 Mississippi

Stone County Medical Center

 Stone

Unity Health-Harris Hospital

 Jackson

Unity Health-White County Medical Center

 White

Wadley Regional Medical Center at Hope

 Hempstead

Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM), sometimes called “female cutting” or “female circumcision”, is described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as comprising “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitals, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons”.

FGM is sometimes called "female circumcision." FGM is not the same as male circumcision. The practice has no health benefits and can lead to a range of physical and mental health problems. The reasons given for performing FGM encompass beliefs about health, women’s sexuality, and community and adulthood initiation rites.

FGM is against the law in the United States.

Downloads & Resources
Act 556
Fact Sheet
Best Practices for Providing Heath Services
Overview General (PowerPoint)
Overview Health Care Professionals (PowerPoint)

Bacti Test Results

Clicking on a letter in the block below will open a new browser window which will contain a listing of bacteriological sample results for public water systems whose names start with the number or letter indicated.  Samples are listed only if the results have been finalized, or if the sample was rejected.  Samples in process are not shown!

Only samples received by the Arkansas Department of Health Laboratory in the past 30 days are shown. 

Raw water samples are not shown.  Construction samples not submitted under the water system's ID number are also not shown.
 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Medical Certifier Training

 

Coroner's Training Hospice RN's Training Physician's Training
Coroner's User Guide Hospice RN User Guide Physician's User Guide
Coroner's Assistant User Guide   Physician's Assistant User Guide
    Training Video: An Introduction to ERAVE
    Training Video: How to Enter a Death Certificate

 

Downloads & Resources
Drug Overdose Death Reporting
Frequently Asked Questions

Funeral Home Training

 

Resources & Training Videos
Funeral Home User Guide 
Frequently Asked Questions

ERAVE Online Training

Welcome to the ERAVE Online Death Registration Training webpage provided by the Arkansas Department of Health. The ERAVE system provides authorized users a secure online method for submitting and managing reports of vital events.

Click on a button below to access training material.

  

HIV Elimination Plan

According to the state Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System, Arkansas had 291 new cases of HIV in 2017, ranking it 20th in the nation.

More than 61,000 HIV tests were administered, but overall, 15 percent of HIV-positive people still don’t know they have the disease, which translates to roughly 900 individuals. In addition, Arkansas is one of the seven states where incidence of HIV in rural areas is the highest.

With the CDC vowing to reduce new HIV infections by 90 percent within 10 years, Arkansas established the first HIV Elimination Workgroup in July 2018. The workgroup will convene representatives from the medical, public health, public policy, governmental, faith-based and grass roots communities to work toward achieving health equity and eliminating HIV in the state. It’s first priority is to develop an individualized plan for the state utilizing established relationships with policy stakeholders, consumers and providers.

Each agency will be tasked with identifying  barriers and gaps in resources within those areas of the state specifically served by their agencies. With your agency represented on the workgroup, Arkansas has the capability of being among one of the first states to eliminate new HIV infections.

For more information about how you can join the HIV Elimination Task Force, contact the Infectious Disease Branch at the Arkansas Department of Health at 501-661-2408 or email us.

 

Meeting Minutes:

Downloads & Resources
HIV Elimination Task Force Overview Flyer
HIV EtHE Letter to Arkansas Providers
HIV and Oral Health: An Update and Refocus (video)
What HIV Elimination Means to Me

OSP Bid Request Form

Outline Agreement Form

Purchase Order Form

Purchase Requisition

Please select the Purchase Requisition type:

Selecting one of the following will take you to the appropriate form:

  1. Purchase Order
  2. Outline Agreement
  3. OSP Bid Request

Board of Acupuncture Related Techniques

MISSION:

The mission of the Arkansas Board of Acupuncture and Related Techniques is to benefit, educate and protect the public through regulation of licensure; development of education standards; provision of consumer information and enforcement of the Arkansas Acupuncture Practice Act, A.C.A. 17-102-101 and, when applicable, A.C.A. §§25-15-208 to 213.

VISION:

ASBART is committed to the health and safety of the people of Arkansas by ensuring:

  1. Excellence in training and education.
  2. Fair and ethical standards of professional conduct.

 

Board Members

Name Title Phone
W. Martin Eisele President 501-663-3461
Fax: 501-663-3217
Jana Brady, L.Ac. Vice President 479-301-2307
Hayden Henningsen Professional Member 479-305-2699
vacant Public Member  
vacant Public Member  
Dr. Michael Buffington Ex-Officio  

 

Meeting Minutes
All board meetings are open to the public.

Licensees

Rules

Reciprocation

Application for Licensure

Resources

 

Name Address Phone Fax
Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture Related Techniques 11701 West 36th St.
Little Rock, AR 72211		 501-687-1396 501-251-1084

Board of Hearing Instrument Dispensers

Mission Statement:

The Board's primary mission is to ensure the public is protected when purchasing hearing instruments. The duties and powers include promulgation of rules necessary to enforce and administer the laws governing hearing instrument dispensers, licensing of qualified persons who have passed the board examination, and the handling of complaints against licensed dispensers.

 

Board Members

Name Title Term End Date
Greg Smith Chairman 7.31.2021 (appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson)
Randy Fore Vice Chairman 7.31.2020
Mark Oyler Treasurer 7.31.2020
Dillard Martin Senior Board Member 7.31.2020
Vicki Howard Licensed Dispenser 7.31.2021
Stephanie Pratt Executive Director 7.31.2021

Forms:

Board Meeting Dates:

Board Minutes:

Resources:

Contact Information:

4815 W. Markham St., Slot 2
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 203-4032
E-mail: arhidboard@gmail.com

ADH Transformation

This page is dedicated to providing information on State agency programs and their transformation as it pertains to the Arkansas Department of Health.

Downloads & Resources
Report on Shared Services

Vaping-Related Lung Illness Investigation

The Arkansas Department of Health is warning Arkansans who use an electronic smoking device, e-cigarette, or vape about the risk of a potential lung illness. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the possible cause of the illnesses. 

Current Cases as of January 16, 2020  
Confirmed 8*
Probable 14
Under Investigation 1
Total 23

* Due to a change in case definitions, some previously confirmed cases have been reclassified.

Symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, and fatigue. A few patients also reported fever, nausea, and diarrhea. The symptoms may worsen over days and weeks. Of the confirmed cases, all patients had vaped in the weeks and months leading up their hospitalization. People who experience any type of chest pain or difficulty breathing after vaping should seek medical attention.

Clinicians who become aware of cases are encouraged to report them to ADH Outbreak Response at 501-537-8969.

Those interested in quitting tobacco and nicotine can call Be Well Arkansas at 833-283-WELL (9355). Wellness counselors help Arkansans quit tobacco through coaching and providing nicotine replacement therapy at no cost. The wellness counselors are available on weekdays Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Downloads & Resources
ADH News: Vaping Associated Illness
Public Health Advisory: Vaping Associated Illness

 

Certificates

Auto injectable epinephrine in schools and certain entities, and asthma inhalers in schools.

Act 1108 of 2015 authorizes schools and certain entities to acquire and stock auto injectable epinephrine.

Act 851 of 2019 authorizes schools to acquire and stock asthma inhalers.

A requirement of these laws is to obtain specific training for the administration of auto injectable epinephrine and asthma inhalers. The training requirements for auto injectable epinephrine may be via a physician office or an approved training program. Please contact the Arkansas Department of Education for guidance on school requirements specific to asthma inhaler training.

List of approved ephinephrine training programs:

The asthma inhaler training requirement for schools must be provided by an authorized health care professional.Below are the certificates:

Establishments administering auto injectable epinephrine are required to submit a report to ADH. Click here for the report form.

Submit report forms to Arkansas Department of Health:

Rules Pertaining to Public Access to Auto-Injectable Epinephrine

Arkansas Kidney Disease Commission

 

The Arkansas Kidney Disease Commission (AKDC) was established by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas through Act 450 of 1971 to establish a program for the care and treatment of persons suffering from chronic renal disease. The legislation charged the AKDC to “provide financial assistance for persons suffering from chronic renal disease who require life-saving care and treatment to the extent as determined by the Commission.

 

Financial Assistance for Prescription Medicine

If you suffer from chronic renal disease and need financial assistance for prescription medicines, we offer assistance. The client is required to utilize any available drug benefit before requesting the AKDC to provide prescription coverage as the program is identified as a payer of last resort.

The AKDC may pay up to three (3) of ESRD- related prescriptions per month. Medication paid for by the program must be consistent with the approved AKDC formulary. A client co-pay of $2.00 is required for each allowable medication. Program co-payment for immuno-suppressant drugs shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the Medicare allowable rate. Prior approval is required for Fosrenol, Renvela, and Sensipar.

Pharmacists Forms
Pharmacist Letter
AKDC Prescription Formulary
AKDC Prescription Drug Claim Form
W-9

 

Financial Assistance for Dental Services

The AKDC is a payer of last resort and can assist with co-payment. Please be aware that because of funding, the AKDC cannot provide payment for such dental services as exams, x-rays, dentures, partials, root canals, crowns, etc.

The AKDC may assist with some dental cost when a dental problem jeopardizes the health and treatment program outlined by the renal specialist. This assistance will be for those clients awaiting kidney transplantation. Payments for services rendered will require prior approval of such treatments and follow the established dental fee schedule.

Dentists Requirements
AKDC Dental Fee Schedule
W-9

 

Arkansas Dialysis Centers

Click here to find a list of dialysis units near you.

 

Kidney Facts and Information

Learn about kidney disease symptoms and risk factors

Anemia | Spanish
Depression | Spanish
The Dialysis Machine | Spanish
Exercise for Life | Spanish
Fluid and Dialysis | Spanish
Hemodialysis Adequacy | Spanish
How to Talk to Your Healthcare Team | Spanish
Rehabilitation | Spanish
Restless Legs Syndrome | Spanish
Skin and Hair Problems on Dialysis | Spanish
Traveling on Dialysis | Spanish
Vascular Access | Spanish

 

Additional Information and Resources

 

​Forms and Applications

AKDC Applications
AKDC Initial Referral Application
AKDC Annual Renewal Application
AKDC Application for Fosrenol or Renvela
AKDC Application for Prior-Approval of Sensipar Co-Payment
 
AKDC Forms
2013 AKDC Status Change Form
AKDC Blank Claim Form
 
Rx Assistance Programs
Fosrenol

 

Board Members

 

Office Address Phone Fax
Arkansas Kidney Disease Commission Arkansas Department of Health
Slot #35
4815 W. Markham St.
Little Rock, AR 72205		    

 

Hospital Reporting Form

Fill out my online form.

Project Prevent Youth Coalition

What is Project Prevent? Click here to learn more.

Ready. Set. Record. is now open! Submit your entry today.

Create a 30-second video, which includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

Lights!

Entries will be received from September 9, 2019 through December 15, 2019. Project finalists will be announced on January 20, 2020. An awards show will be held February 19, 2020 at the Ron Robinson Theater in Little Rock.
 

Cameras!

Requirements:

Action!

Prizes: There will be First, Second and Third Place prizes in the Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced categories. There will also be additional awards and prizes for categories like, Best Actress, Best Actor, etc.

Get Involved with Project Prevent Today!

The Project Prevent is the statewide youth tobacco prevention program. There are various chapters throughout Arkansas composed of middle school, junior high, and high school students. Project Prevent focus areas are: Prevention, Education and Leadership. Students participate in a variety of projects and activities throughout the year, including an annual statewide youth conference.

 

Downloads & Resources
Connect with us on: Facebook | YouTube
My Reason To Write Poster
Ready, Set, Record One-Pager
Ready, Set, Record Poster

 

Abortion Complications Reporting

ADH has developed an electronic submission system to track abortion complications required by Act 620 of the 2019 Regular Session of the Arkansas General Assembly subtitled, “To Require Additional Reporting Requirements By Certain Physicians and Healthcare Facilities For Abortion Complications”. 

The reporting requirements apply to:

Healthcare facilities are required to submit a report no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the date on which the abortion complication was diagnosed or treated. Physicians, who perform abortions at abortion facilities, are required to submit a report no later than the third (3rd) business day after the date on which the abortion complication was diagnosed or treated.

Signing up is a one-time process, therefore, when reporting the diagnosis or treatment of an abortion complication you need only to login and enter the patient’s information. After you login, please use “ADD NEW COMPLICATION REPORT” from the “Abortion Complication” drop down menu at the top of the screen to get started. You can add a new report, save a record to work on it later and view your submitted records.  Also, you can edit or change your user profile information. Every provider can only view the records they have entered.

To access the Abortions Complication Reporting system click HERE.

If you have questions about reporting, please contact the Health Statistics Branch by phone at (501) 661-2368.

Legionella

Arthritis

What is Arthritis?

Over 50 million Americans have arthritis, making it the number one cause of disability in the country. These numbers are only going to keep growing-unless we take a stand. Click here to learn more.

Physical Activity: The Arthritis Pain Reliever.

Take charge of your arthritis with moderate physical activity.  More than 46 million Americans live with arthritis, and many of them are discovering that moderate exercise improves the way they feel. For more information, click here.

Promoting Physical Activity.

The Arkansas Arthritis Program is promoting the CDC’s public awareness campaign “Physical Activity: The Arthritis Pain Reliever." Click here for more information.

Benefits of Physical Activity:

Walk With Ease

The Arthritis Foundation Walk with Ease Program is a community-based physical activity and self-management education program. It can be done by individuals using the Walk with Ease workbook on their own, or by groups led by trained leaders. Both the individual and group formats are set up as a structured six-week program. While walking is the central activity, Walk with Ease also includes health education, stretching and strengthening exercises, and motivational strategies. “Walk with Ease was specifically developed for adults with arthritis who want to be more physically active. The program is also appropriate for people without arthritis, particularly those with diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions, who want to get more active. The only pre-requisite is the ability to be on your feet for at least 10 minutes without increased pain. Click here for more information.

Help your patients take charge.

 As a healthcare provider, you can:

  1. Assess the current physical activity levels of your patients through the use of physical activity vital signs (PAVS),
  2. Provide your patient with brief counseling and a physical activity prescription, and
  3. Refer to an evidence base program such as Walk With Ease.

The PAVS consists of two questions:

  1. How many days per week do you engage in moderate to strenuous exercise like a brisk walk?
  2. How many minutes do you engage in exercise at this level?

 

Resources & References

Office Information

Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Our office is closed on all published state holidays.
4815 W. Markham Street, Slot #6
Little Rock, AR 72205
Office: 501-661-2279

State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE)

About SHARE

The State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE) is Arkansas’s only statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE). SHARE is a product of the Office of Health Information Technology which is part of the Arkansas Department of Health. 

SHARE securely connects doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals. It allows health care professionals to view a complete patient medical history so they can have the information they need to provide the best care possible.

SHARE security and privacy

SHARE complies with all federal and state privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Arkansas Personal Information Protection Act, which are designed to protect patient health information. These laws require that patient information be kept secure both while it is being emailed or sent through a computer, and while it is at the health care provider’s office. Using SHARE enhances the privacy and security of patient health records.

Only certified health care professionals are given access to patient records. It is a HIPAA violation if health care professionals view patient records for any reason other than treatment, payment and operational purposes.

How SHARE can benefit patients

SHARE connects all participating health care providers (doctors, nurses, hospitals and clinics) so that when you get care from someone other than your usual doctor, they can view your health record, which includes your health information like allergies, medications, test results, and more. SHARE is also connected to 24 other HIEs throughout the country, which means if you receive care out of state your connected physician in Arkansas is alerted and is able to follow up with you.

Patient Information Flyer:

How SHARE can benefit health care professionals

SHARE brings together your patients’ health information from multiple sources to build a more complete patient medical record. SHARE assists health care professionals coordinate care and reduce mistakes, especially in emergencies. Many providers are still sharing health records through fax, email and postal mail, which is not always secure. The health information exchange with SHARE happens online, in real-time through a secure connection between your Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system and SHARE. SHARE is also currently connected to over 1,700 Arkansas hospitals, provider practices, behavioral health facilities long-term post-acute care facilities, dentists, pharmacies and many ancillary healthcare providers. This means that you can stay up to date on your patients’ health when they receive care from a different provider.

Name Address Phone Fax
State Health Alliance
for Records Exchange (SHARE)		 1501 N. University Ave.
Suite 420
Little Rock, AR 72207		 501-410-1999 501-978-3940

Parent Support

Being a parent is one of the most important jobs you will ever have.

Here are some tools to help you along the way.

CDC’s Milestone Tracker App

From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. You can download a free app from the CDC called the Milestone Tracker App to track your child’s development. The app will help you watch for changes as your child grows so you can let your child’s doctor know if there are any problems.

Download it free today on iOSExternal and AndroidExternal devices in English and Spanish.

  

 

 

Find a Doctor

It is very important your baby has a doctor as soon as possible to monitor development while also preventing, managing, and healing illness. If you need help finding a doctor for your baby or yourself, you can:

Stress

If you are feeling stressed your child will feel the stress, too. It is important to take care of yourself to keep your baby healthy.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby. Your local health unit has WIC staff who can answer your questions and help you get breastfeeding off to a good start. Call for an appointment today. We want to support you during this exciting time. Your Local Health Unit and WIC Clinic can help you with questions about shots for your child and breastfeeding support.

Safe Sleep

For more safe sleep tips click here.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Midwifery Complaint Form

Arkansas Provisional Licensure Application

Arkansas Interpreter Licensure Application

Fill out my online form.

Onsite Wastewater System Installers

To find waste water installers in Arkansas, click HERE for the complete roster.

Designated Representatives

To find a Designated Representative in your area, please click HERE for the complete roster. 

Bella Vista - Trafalgar Road Fire

The Arkansas Department of Health continues to work with partner state and federal agencies and the Bella Vista community regarding health concerns about the fire that has been burning at the 8000 block of Trafalgar Rd. in Bella Vista.

This is an ongoing fire. Health recommendations will likely change as the ADH continues to receive more information and data about the air around the site.

The ADH has reviewed data related to two different issues regarding the air quality around the site. First, ADH reviewed air data collected on chemicals. Chemicals cannot always be seen or smelled. Second, ADH reviewed air quality data collected on particulate matter (PM) that can be found in smoke.

For the May 21, 2019 review of air monitoring data click here.

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality has established a Community Information page for the Trafalgar Road fire. The webpage can be accessed by clicking here.

For the city of Bella Vista, regular updates on this fire can be found on the city's webpage.

 

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs)

National Guard 61st CST Data Collected: February 26-28, 2019

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has evaluated air monitoring data collected by the 61st Civil Support Team (CST) from the Arkansas National Guard at the Trafalgar Road fire in Bella Vista. This three-day data collection was to establish a baseline prior to beginning site remediation. Based on these data, the general public is not likely to be at risk of exposure to chemicals in the air from the Trafalgar Road fire. Residents near the Trafalgar Road fire should continue to limit outdoor activity during smoky conditions to reduce their exposure to smoke and particulate matter.

For the full statement with data summary tables, click here.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Data

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided air quality results collected from both on and around the site.

Samples from outside the boundaries of the site did not show high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) or Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs), otherwise known as chemicals. Based on these samples, the general public does not appear to be at risk of exposure to dangerous chemicals in the air.

Samples collected within the boundaries of the site tested positive for benzene at elevated levels in the air. Benzene is a VOC and can cause health effects that are serious if a person is exposed to it either in high doses (a lot of it) or over a long amount of time. Because some people are exposed to this chemical through their jobs, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set exposure limits of 1000-parts per billion of benzene in workplace air (1000 ppb) for 8 hour shifts during 40-hour work weeks. 

The full press release from 11/30/18 can be found here.

The full health consultation letter provided to EPA can be found here.

New data received by the ADH from the EPA on December 19, 2018 do not change current ADH recommendations. To read the conclusions for the December 19th summary, click here.

New data received by the ADH form the EPA on February 28, 2019 do not change current ADH recommendations. To read the conclusions for the February 28th summary, click here.

Surface Water Samples

The ADH has conducted a review of surface water samples taken from the Trafalgar Road Fire site. These samples were collected by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) contractor, Ensafe.

 

Smoke and Particulate Matter (PM)

Particle pollution changes with weather conditions and over the course of a burn. The EPA provided air particulate matter (PM) monitoring in the ½ mile radius around the 8000 block of Trafalgar Road in Bella Vista. One of the readings reported to ADH on 12/12/18 showed that air quality for particle pollution was in the “Unhealthy” category. Even though air quality will likely change over time, this reading prompted the ADH to issue a Health Alert for the area around the fire. The other days of PM monitoring by EPA show levels decreased to “Moderate” or “Good.” Learn more about these categories here.

Based on the reading in the “Unhealthy” category, the ADH recommends that everyone who is near the 8000 block of Trafalgar Rd. should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. Examples of exertion are running, playing or yardwork. In particular, those who suffer from breathing issues or lung diseases [such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)]; those with heart disease; pregnant women; infants and young children; teenagers; and older adults can be more sensitive to the particulate matter in the air. If you are experiencing symptoms like ­­cough, congestion, sore throat, headache, allergies, respiratory distress, chest tightness or wheezing, please see your doctor or health care provider.

You can find the full ADH Health Alert that was posted on 12/12/18 here.

At the request of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), the January 24th review of the particulate matter air monitoring near the Trafalgar Road fire is available here.

 

Steps to take for your health when PM is high

The EPA has developed a guide to help people make informed decisions on outdoor activity related to all PM levels. The Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution can be found here.  Additionally, in the surrounding area, conditions change depending on weather and wind direction. Breathing in smoke may cause eye and respiratory tract (throat, chest and nose) discomfort and irritation.

Whenever it is possible, sensitive individuals should consider spending less time in the area when they can see smoke in the air. When smoke or strong odors are present, people in the area may protect themselves by taking the following actions:

 

For additional information contact the Environmental Epidemiology Program at: adh.ts@arkansas.gov. For assistance outside of normal business hours, call 501-661-2136 and someone will call you back.

For more information on this topic, please see Resources below.

Downloads & Resources
Statement on Bella Vista Air Monitoring Preliminary Findings
Frequently Asked Questions
Fact Sheets
Are Environmental Odors Toxic
Indoor Air Filtration
Protect Children from Wildfire Smoke and Ash
Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke and Ash
Reduce Health Risks In Areas with Wildfire Smoke
Reduce Your Smoke Exposure
Respiratory Protection
Protecting Children from Smoke and Particulate Matter

Community Concerns

This section of the ADH website contains links to environmental and public safety topics that are of ongoing concern to Arkansas communities.

Disciplinary Actions

The Arkansas State Board of Health has authority to license and regulate the practice of lay midwifery in the State of Arkansas pursuant to the Licensed Lay Midwife Act, Ark. Code Ann. §17-85-107.

Based on this provision, the Board may suspend, revoke, deny or place on probation any license issued under the Licensed Lay Midwife Act for violations of the act or deviations from the Rules and Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Lay Midwifery in Arkansas.

Licensing Actions Imposed (2011-present):

Name License/Permit Date Action Taken Action Taken Document
Lindsey Foster Lay Midwife License #122008 09.01.2011 License Revoked ADH v. Foster
Teresa Fedosky Application for Lay Midwife Apprentice Permit 05.29.2013 Permit Denied Notice
Debra Disch Application for Lay Midwife License 01.28.2016 License Denied; Permanently barred without further review by the Arkansas State Board of Health; Fined $4,000.00 ADH v. Disch
Vanessa Giron Lay Midwife License #022006 01.28.2016 License Revoked ADH v. Giron

Brucellosis

What is Brucellosis?

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease, which may affect various organs of the body. The bacteria that causes this disease is primarily passed among animals such as sheep, goats, cattle, deer, pigs, dogs, and several other animals. Humans become infected after having contact with animals that are infected with Brucellosis. In Arkansas, and the rest of the United States, swine-associated brucellosis in humans is predominantly associated with exposure to infected feral swine (i.e., wild boar or wild hogs).

Who gets Brucellosis?

People of all ages who are exposed to the bacteria that cause the disease can get Brucellosis. It is more likely to be found in people associated with livestock. Brucellosis is not common in the United States.

What are the symptoms of Brucellosis?

Brucellosis can cause a wide range of symptoms that are similar to the flu and may include fever, sweats, headaches, back pains, and physical weakness. Severe infections of the nervous system or lining of the heart may occur. Brucellosis can also cause long-lasting or chronic symptoms that include recurrent fevers, joint pain, and fatigue or tiredness.

How is Brucellosis spread?

Brucellosis is spread to humans in one of three ways: by eating or drinking something that is contaminated with the germ that causes Brucellosis; by breathing the organism in, or by having the germ enter the body through an open wound.  Generally, the most How is Brucellosis Spreadcommon way to become infected is by eating or drinking contaminated milk products. In Arkansas, people are infected most commonly by contact with blood, fluid or tissue while field dressing or butchering an infected feral hog.  People can also get brucellosis by eating undercooked meat from an infected hog.  Direct person-to-person spread is extremely rare.

How soon do symptoms appear?

The time period is highly variable, but the symptoms usually occur within five to sixty days after exposure.

Is a person with Brucellosis contagious?

Person-to-person spread is extremely rare. However, it has been reportedly spread through an infected mother’s breast milk to her infant and through sexual relations. Therefore, infected mothers should avoid breast-feeding their infants. Safe sex practices (the use of condoms) should always be practiced.

How is Brucellosis treated?

Brucellosis treatment may be difficult. Doctors may prescribe several effective antibiotics.

How common is Brucellosis in Arkansas?

Brucellosis infection is rare in Arkansas with only one or two cases per year.  One case was reported in 2017.  In 2016, three cases were reported. 

How can Brucellosis be prevented?

Drinking and eating pasteurized products only can prevent Brucellosis. If you are not sure if the product has been pasteurized, then don’t eat or drink it. Hunters and herdsmen should use rubber gloves when handling dead animals. There currently is no vaccine for Brucellosis

Resources

Be Well Arkansas

Visit the new BE WELL ARKANSAS website here.

Arkansas Heart Attack Registry Participating Hospitals

Participating Hospitals County
Arkansas Heart Hospital Pulaski
Baptist - Fort Smith Sebastian
Baptist Health Medical Center - Conway Faulkner
Baptist Health Medical Center - Little Rock Pulaski
Baptist Health Medical Center - North Little Rock Pulaski
Baxter Regional Medical Center Baxter
CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs Garland
CHI St. Vincent Infirmary Pulaski
CHI St. Vincent North Pulaski
CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System Bowie (TX)
Conway Regional Medical Center Faulkner
Jefferson Regional Medical Center Jefferson
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith Sebastian
Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas Benton
Methodist University Hospital Shelby
National Park Medical Center Garland
NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital Craighead
Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville Benton
Northwest Medical Center-Springdale Washington/Benton
Saline Memorial Hospital Saline
St. Bernard's Medical Center Craighead
St. Mary's Regional Medical Center Pope
Unity Health - White County Medical Center White
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Pulaski
Wadley Regional Medical Center Bowie (TX)
Washington Regional Medical Center Washington
White River Medical Center Independence

POLST

POLST stands for Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment.

High quality and personalized end of life care continues to be a significant challenge in America. The current standard of care during an emergency is for emergency medical services (EMS) to attempt everything possible to attempt to save a life, however, not everyone wants every available treatment. Having a discussion with a physician, and completing a POLST form is one way to ensure that an individual's preferences are respected, recorded, and followed.

Downloads & Resources
POLST Form and Directions
POLST Fact Sheet
POLST: Arkansas Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (webinar)
POLST: Doing It Better (YouTube)
Understanding POLST (YouTube)

Contact us by email.

Office of the Chief Science Officer

The mission of the Office of the Chief Science Officer (CSO) is to promote scientific excellence in all programmatic, educational, and public health research activities of the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The office of the CSO works with the Department’s scientists, epidemiologists, and external researchers to promote professional development and to further scientific analyses and investigations of various sources of data.

The office of the CSO is comprised of:

Namvar Zohoori, MD, PhD
Chief Science Officer

Austin Porter, DrPH, MPH
Deputy Chief Science Officer

Additionally, the office is responsible for overseeing the units of Performance Management, Quality Improvement, and Evaluation. The Performance Management unit assists with the agency’s strategic plan management, maintenance of the performance dashboard, and maintains the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) compliance and documentation. The Quality Improvement unit works to develop a culture of continuous quality improvement (QI) within the agency by conducting QI training and overseeing QI projects. The Evaluation Support unit (under development) provides support and consultation for program evaluation and works to incorporate evaluation into funding proposals.

Objectives of the Office of the Chief Science Officer include:

  1. Ensuring long-term scientific investments at ADH;
  2. Upholding scientific ideals, and creating an environment of scientific excellence and innovation;
  3. Providing coordination for ADH public health research activities;
  4. Encouraging and promoting collaborative scientific and educational activities with institutions of higher learning;
  5. Maintaining the integrity of the agency’s scientists by supporting training and information exchange, and providing direction on matters of scientific integrity;
  6. Assuring the protection of human subjects in public health research activities that use ADH databases and information;
  7. Managing the confidentiality functions of ADH for sensitive research data;
  8. Promoting institutional performance through a goal-oriented and data-driven management system;
  9. Maintaining an atmosphere of continuous quality improvement;
  10. Supporting program evaluation activities to optimize program delivery;
  11. Facilitating and maintaining compliance with, and adherence to, the ADH Misconduct Policy, with HIPAA requirements, and with the terms of the Federal Wide Assurance for the Protection of Human Subjects.

Below are materials that contain information about the purpose and objectives of the Office of the Chief Science Officer. Additionally, information about accessing data for research and public use purposes is provided. Agency-specific interactive reports on quality and performance improvement metrics are tracked using our dashboard tool. 

Resources:

Arkansas Department of Health Data Request Process
1. Prepare study protocol Requestors should work with program staff to confirm availability and reliability of variables needed for the project
2. Obtain IRB approval Institutional IRB approval or waiver must be obtained prior to completing the data request form
3. Complete data request form The online data request form provides the agency with background, purpose, variables requested, and other information for consideration
4. Science Advisory Committee (SAC) Review The SAC meets every 2nd and 4th Friday at 2pm to review data requests. The SAC may approve, ask for modifications, or deny data requests
5. Data Use Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding Fulfillment of data requests are initiated after the Data Use Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding are signed by agency staff and requestors

Medical and Dental Professionals

The ADH has developed a number of new statewide dental initiatives through various partnerships. Read our latest Arkansas Oral Health Surveillance Plan, which outlines our initiatives to promote oral health in Arkansas. A few are highlighted below.

Interprofessional Care 

Many Arkansans have limited access to routine preventive care, which can lead to untreated decay. In 2011, Arkansas passed important legislation to combat this issue, Act 89 and Act 90.

Act 89: Dental Hygiene Collaborative Care

Arkansas has a total of 75 counties, 54 of which are rural. Sixty percent of the state’s dentists practice in just eight of the state’s 75 counties, although these eight counties have only 40 percent of the state’s population. Nineteen Arkansas counties are designated whole or in part Dental Health Professions Shortage Areas (HPSA). Five counties have no dentists at all.

Arkansas Dental Health Professional Shortage Area Map

Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key Points:

Making It Happen

Those hygienists wishing to practice Dental Hygiene Collaborative Care in conjunction with their consulting dentist must apply for permits from both the ADH’s Office of Oral Health and the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.

Downloads:

Act 90: Fluoride Varnish Provider Expansion

Despite advancements in water fluoridation, patient education and the dental workforce, an increase in childhood tooth decay still exists. In response, the United States Preventive Services Task Force proposed the application of fluoride varnish by medical providers. In 2011, the Arkansas legislature passed Act 90 allowing Arkansas physicians, nurses, and other licensed health care professionals in addition to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants to apply and get reimbursed for fluoride varnish. Medical providers can serve as the first line of defense against cavities since they tend to see children more often and sooner than dentists. Here’s a video on how fluoride varnish is applied at a well-child visit.

 

Paint A Smile

The Office of Oral Health has developed a program called Paint A Smile to introduce fluoride varnishes to medical personnel in Arkansas. This is an ideal time for medical personnel to perform oral risk assessments, apply fluoride varnish, and encourage the caregivers to connect with a dental home for routine dental care.

paint a smileThe program goals are to:

Fluoride Varnish Training

To start applying fluoride varnish in your office please contact us HERE to schedule a free, on-site training with one of our knowledgeable Smile Ambassadors. This training will provide your office with:

You can also become certified to apply fluoride varnish through Arkansas Train, an online training network. Please review these instructions and go to https://ar.train.org/ to complete the required course.

Choose Safe Places for Early Childhood Care and Education

Did you know that children are usually more sensitive than adults to toxic chemicals? Toxic chemicals like lead, air pollution, and industrial solvents can all have lifelong impacts on a young child. There are three ways that children typically come into contact with dangerous chemicals:

  1. Breathing the chemical in the air.
  2. Eating or drinking the chemical.
  3. Getting the chemical on the skin or in the eyes.

Since many young children spend time in child care, it’s important that child care facilities consider whether toxic chemicals are present on their property. The Arkansas Department of Health’s Choose Safe Places program helps child care facilities assess their properties for toxic chemicals.

 

Where can toxic chemicals come from?

Toxic chemicals can end up in a child care facility in several different ways.

  1. Previous uses of the property
    • ​​If the property was used before by a factory, dry cleaner, warehouse, or other industry, there might be toxic chemicals left behind. Even cigarette smoking can leave behind a layer of chemicals in the building.
  2. Nearby businesses, highways, and railroads
    • ​​In an accident, toxic chemicals can spill from trucks or railcars. Nearby businesses, especially those in the same building, could be using chemicals at a level that is okay for adults but dangerous for children.
  3. Construction materials
    • ​​Before 1978, building materials that had lead and asbestos were widely sold in the United States. These harmful chemicals can still remain in older buildings.
  4. Naturally occurring sources
    • ​​Some chemicals, like arsenic and radon, are naturally occurring in certain deposits underground.

 

What can I do to protect young children in child care?

If you’re concerned about potential toxic chemical exposure in a child care facility, contact us for expert help. We can help child care facilities, both new and existing, review their properties for the potential presence of toxic chemicals. We provide expertise and knowledge, though we cannot test samples or do remediation. Tell us more about your concerns by contacting us using the online reporting form. 

 

Resources
How Asthma-Friendly is Your Child Care Setting
Lead-Safe Toolkit for Home-Based Child Care
For more information, contact the Lead-Based Paint Program

 

Other Resources

EMS Assessment

The following are assessments for Emergency Medical Services:

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

What is CWD?

CWD is a central nervous system disease caused by prions (infectious proteins) that affects North American cervids (mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and moose). Prion proteins are found in the brains of normal healthy animals. Researchers believe prion disease is caused by misfolding of normal prion proteins, which leads to brain damage.

CWD is similar to “mad cow disease” in cattle, scrapie in sheep, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans. It is fatal to animals and there is no vaccine available. The protein that can cause CWD can pass directly from animal to animal and indirectly through the environment. Prions are found in saliva, feces, urine, blood, and decaying carcasses. Once in the environment, CWD prions may remain infectious for many years. Decaying infected carcasses and infected "gut piles" from hunters who field dress their deer where it is harvested have the potential to infect other animals if left in the field. 

 

Is CWD dangerous to humans?

As a precaution, the CDC and Arkansas Department of Health recommend that people and other animals do not eat deer or elk that appear to have CWD. If the protein that can cause CWD could spread to people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports it would most likely be through eating infected deer and elk and it might cause a human illness similar to CWD, such as CJD. However, there is no strong evidence of that happening in people and it is not known if people can get infected. Hunters must consider the level of risk they are willing to accept when deciding whether to eat meat from deer or elk from areas with CWD, and they should check state wildlife and public health guidance to see whether testing of animals is recommended or required in a given region.

 

Should I take precautions even if an animal has no evidence of CWD?

It can take a long time for animals exposed to CWD to show symptoms. Animals may appear normal for an extended period of time even though they are infected, and even normal-looking animals harvested in a CWD zone should be tested. While prions may be present in a variety of tissues and body fluids, including blood and muscle, they are most common in the brain, eyes, spinal cord, lymph nodes, tonsils and spleen. Hunters should wear gloves and debone harvested mammals in the field, and take extra precautions when handling organs where prions are most likely to be. If you wish to have your animal tested for CWD, contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) for information regarding appropriate procedures and submission locations.

 

Simple Precautions Advised for Hunters

Public health officials advise hunters not to consume meat from animals believed or known to be infected with CWD or any other disease. Since it’s not always apparent that a deer may be carrying a disease, hunters should take simple precautions.

 

Precautions That Hunters Should Always Follow:

 

Disposal of Carcasses

Little is known about whether infected mammal parts pose a risk to the environment; researchers have discovered that prions readily attach to various elements in the soil and remain infectious for many years. Therefore, it is recommended that bones and other parts of the carcass of an animal suspected or known to have CWD be double bagged in strong garbage bags and disposed of at a lined landfill with an approved dead animal disposal area. AGFC also recommends, whenever possible, carcasses should remain near where the deer was harvested, preferably buried two feet deep or deep enough to prevent scavengers from digging up the remains.

 

Additional resources

Additional information is available through the:

* For more information regarding infectious diseases that can spread from animals to humans, please contact Zoonotic Disease here.

Office Address Phone Fax
Zoonotic Disease

4815 W. Markham St., Slot 42
Little Rock, AR 72205

 501-280-4136 501-280-4431

Midwife, Licensed Lay

HAI & Antimicrobial Stewardship Trainings

Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are infections people get while they are receiving health care for another condition. HAIs can happen in any health care facility, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, end-stage renal disease facilities, and long-term care facilities. HAIs can be caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or other, less common pathogens.

HAIs are a significant cause of illness and death — and they can have devastating emotional, financial, and medical consequences. At any given time, about 1 in 25 inpatients have an infection related to hospital care. These infections lead to the loss of tens of thousands of lives and cost the U.S. health care system billions of dollars each year.

Antimicrobial stewardship works in tandem with HAI prevention as it promotes the appropriate use of antimicrobials, improves patient outcomes, reduces microbial resistance, and decreases the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.

Arkansas Department of Health has partnered with health care professionals and experts in the field to bring a variety of topics to further the goal of HAI prevention. The attached list of webinars that are an hour or less in length provide a total of 20 free CE credits for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and others.

The list of online antimicrobial stewardship education with free CE credit is on the grid below. 

NOTE:  When you click on the link for a webinar, you will be directed to login or to register in order to create an account. 

Date Presenter Title and Link to Course CE/CME
Updated and released April 16, 2018 Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford Antimicrobial Stewardship Online Course 1.75 total (three separate presentations)
February 16, 2018 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Training on Antibiotic Stewardship: Section 1 8 hours if all four modules completed (2 CME each)
Fall 2017 University of Dundee and the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Antibiotic Stewardship: Managing Antibiotic Resistance Duration 6 weeks - 3 hours per week
November 15, 2017

Rober Bradsher, MD
and
Corey Lance, PharmD

 Ready, Set, Go! Actions in Antimicrobial Stewardship 1 hour
June 23, 2014

Dr. Eric Strong
Stanford School of Medicine

 Antibiotics Review Free - no CME

 

Downloads
List of Webinars (up to 20 free CE credits)

 

Adoption File Requests

Act 519 of 2017 provides individuals who were adopted, and are at least 21 years of age, the ability to request their adoption file from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). An ADH adoption file usually includes an original birth certificate and adoption decree, although what is included in a file can vary depending on the adoption. The law also allows for birth parents to redact their name from an adoption file and update family history and contact preference by submitting that information to ADH.

 

Information for Birth Parents

Birth parents may complete forms to redact their name from an adoption file as well as update their family history information and contact preference. They can request to be contacted by the adopted child directly, through a third party or not at all, although the ADH cannot guarantee that request will be followed.

To submit a request, a birth parent must show proof of their identity, submit a notarized form and update their genetic or social history. A form cannot be submitted by one birth parent for another.

These forms are now available for birth parents who wish to redact their name from an adoption file, or update their contact or medical information.

Forms must be returned to:

Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records Department
State Registrar
4815 West Markham St., Slot 44
Little Rock AR 72205.

Downloads
Form A - Contact Preference
Form B - Family History
Form C - Redaction Request
Birth Parent Pack Instructions

Information for Adoptees

Beginning August 1, 2018, individuals who were adopted may request their adoption file. Written requests for adoption files will be accepted starting Wednesday, Aug. 1, by adoptees or, upon their death, a surviving spouse or a guardian of their child. That request must be notarized and include proof of their identity. There is a $100 fee for adoption files.

Downloads
Request for an Adopted Person's Original Birth Record - Instructions
Request for an Adopted Person's Original Birth Record

Hepatitis A

The ADH is responding to an outbreak in Northeast Arkansas. Since February 2018, 454 cases have been reported as part of this outbreak. To learn more about this outbreak and guidance issued by ADH, you can find the press releases here.

Hep A Situational Awareness Map

*Cell counts less than 5 are redacted to ensure confidentiality.

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, highly contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV).

How is hepatitis A spread?

It is transmitted person-to-person when a person ingests tiny amounts of fecal matter from contact with objects, food or drinks contaminated by the feces of an infected person. It can also be spread from close personal contact with an infected person, for example, through sex or caring for someone who is ill.

Food contamination by hepatitis A can happen at any point – growing, harvesting, processing, handling or even after cooking. However, the CDC states food or water contamination is more likely to occur in countries where hepatitis A is more common and in areas where there are poor sanitary conditions or poor personal hygiene. In the United States, chlorination of water kills HAV that enters the water supply, and the Food and Drug Administration routinely monitors natural bodies of water used for recreation.

How great is the risk for hepatitis A?

In 2016, the CDC reported there were an estimated 4,000 hepatitis A cases in the United States. The number of cases has declined by more than 95 percent since the Hepatitis A vaccine became available in 1995.

While anyone can get hepatitis A, in the United States, the CDC cautions the follow groups of people are at a higher risk:

What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?

If you have hepatitis A, you may have:

Older children and adults typically have symptoms that can appear to develop abruptly. Most children younger than age 6 do not have symptoms and, when symptoms are presents, young children typically do not have jaundice.

Symptoms may appear within two to seven weeks, although typically symptoms start to show four weeks after exposure. Symptoms usually last less than two months, but about 10 to 15 percent of people can have symptoms last as long as six months.

An infected person can pass the virus to others up to two weeks before symptoms appear.

What steps can you take to prevent hepatitis A?

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is by practicing good hand hygiene – including thoroughly washing hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before preparing or eating food – and through vaccination.

The hepatitis A vaccine is safe, effective and given as two shots, six months apart. Both shots are needed for long-term protection. It can be given to people with compromised immune systems, and getting extra doses of the vaccine is not harmful.

The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for school children. As of 2014, one dose of the vaccine is required for entry into kindergarten and first grade. Most adults are likely not vaccinated, unless they received vaccinations prior to traveling internationally.

The vaccine will only protect you against hepatitis A. There is a separate vaccine available for hepatitis B, although there is a combination hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine that can be given to anyone age 18 or older. This combination vaccine is given as three shots over six months. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C at this time.

What should you do if you suspect exposure to hepatitis A?

People who believe they have been exposed to hepatitis A should contact a health professional or their local health unit if they have never been vaccinated against hepatitis A or are unsure of their vaccination status. A blood test is available for hepatitis A screening.

Even after exposure, a person can effectively prevent getting hepatitis A if he or she receives the hepatitis A vaccine or an immune globulin injection, which contains antibodies to hepatitis A, within two weeks of exposure. If illness does occur, it will usually be milder after receiving immune globulin.

What if you have hepatitis A?

There are no specific treatments once a person gets hepatitis A. Doctors usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition and fluids to treat symptoms, although some people will need additional medical care at a hospital.

The disease can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although rare, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and death in some people. This is more common in people who are at least 50 years old and in people with other liver diseases.

Once you recover from hepatitis A, you develop antibodies that protect you from the virus for life.

Flyers
Hepatitis A Poster/Flyer: English | Spanish
Resources
CDC Hepatitis A Fact Sheet
CDC Hepatitis A Information
CDC Patient Education Resources

County Health Fact Sheets

Making Your County Healthier

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is a centralized public health system with four main Centers and the Public Health Laboratory that work with 94 local health units to provide clinical preventive services, administer public health programs, and issue licenses and certifcates. Everything at ADH is done because we believe that communities can be healthier and safer, and people can live longer. Below are fact sheets for every county in Arkansas.

County
Arkansas
Ashley
Baxter
Benton
Boone
Bradley
Calhoun
Carroll
Chicot
Clark
Clay
Cleburne
Cleveland
Columbia
Conway
Craighead
Crawford
Crittenden
Cross
Dallas
Desha
Drew
Faulkner
Franklin
Fulton
Garland
Grant
Greene
Hempstead
Hot Spring
Howard
Independence
Izard
Jackson
Jefferson
Johnson
Lafayette
Lawrence
Lee
Lincoln
Little River
Logan
Lonoke
Madison
Marion
Miller
Mississippi
Monroe
Montgomery
Nevada
Newton
Ouachita
Perry
Phillips
Pike
Poinsett
Polk
Pope
Prairie
Pulaski
Randolph
Saline
Scott
Searcy
Sebastian
Sevier
Sharp
St. Francis
Stone
Union
Van Buren
Washington
White
Woodruff
Yell

Cosmetology & Massage Therapy Complaint Form

Vital Records Support

Thank you for using our online system for ordering your birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate. ADH plans to gradually roll out vital records services in all local health units. As additional counties roll out services, we will provide updates. Click here to check your Local Public Health Unit.

Below are some common questions about online orders.


How long will it take to receive my order?

Please allow 7-14 business days from the date your order is approved plus additional shipping time. This time is not guaranteed and may be longer or shorter based upon the number of requests received.


How can I check the status of my order?

You will receive an email each time the status of your order changes, and a final notice when it has been mailed to you.

You can also check the status of your order at any time by going to https://vitalrecords-utilities.ark.org/status-check and entering your confirmation number.


Help! I didn’t receive my order details in my email.

Please complete the form below, and give us the date and time of your order.


What do I do if I need to cancel my order?

Please complete the form below and provide your order number. Orders can be refunded as long as they have not begun processing.
 

I have a different question.

 

Fill out my online form.

Notice to Water Operatior

Lead and Copper Rule

Please take a moment to read the “Instructions for Sampling” and look over the Lead and Copper Rule “Sample Collection Report”.

You will notice that the Lead and Copper Rule “Sample Collection Report” is 7 pages long with 15 site numbers per page. The number of pages you use will depend on the size of your system. The pages have sample sites numbered in sequence from YL001 to YL105. 

Make a copy of the “Instructions for Sampling” for each customer who will collect a sample.  For example, if you need to collect 10 samples, you will need 10 copies of the Instruction form.

The customer should read the instructions carefully. Write down the date and time he or she last used the water tap and the date and time they collected the water sample. The elapsed time between the two events must be at least 6 hours. The water must remain motionless in the pipes for at least 6 hours.

Please take the information the customer provided on the “Instructions for Sampling” form and transfer this information onto the Sample Collection Report. 

The Certification Form and the Sample Collection Report must accompany your samples. If any of the forms are missing, the samples will not be processed. It is best to place both forms in a water proof container, such as a freezer bag!

Failure to complete the Sample Collection Report and/or the Certification Form correctly may result in a delay of your samples being processed.  A delay may cause your samples to expire and necessitate re-sampling.

When submitting samples, your PWS identification number must precede the individual site number. All sample bottles must be labeled properly.  Sample bottles that are not labeled will be disposed of.  As such, you will be required to collect additional samples.

Samples must be collected from an indoor tap typically used for consumption. Usually the kitchen or bathroom sinks. Collect the sample from the cold water tap. Do not collect the sample from the hot water tap. Collect the samples from the primary sites using your Lead and Copper Sampling Site Plan.

Use the boxes supplied to you by the Arkansas Department of Health for sample shipment. The boxes are labeled to ensure your samples are routed to the correct analytical laboratory when received by the Public Health Laboratory.

Check with your local County Health Unit to determine how they will ship your samples. If they plan to ship your samples by UPS, Fed Ex or the United States Postal Service, you will find it wise to tape the lids and add packing material to the box. Otherwise your samples may be damaged or destroyed while in transit! If the County Health Unit uses the State Courier Service you will not need to tape the lids or add packing material.

Irregardless of the shipment method it will be necessary to place a shipment label on each box. Please use the labels which accompanied your bottles.

 

IMPORTANT

The Public Health Laboratory is no longer located in the same building as the ADH Engineering Section. As such, water samples for Lead and Copper analysis will no longer be received at the Engineering Section or the ADH main entrance at 4815 West Markham. If you send or deliver your samples to this location they will be returned to you or disposed of. We recommend that water samples for lead and copper analysis be sent through your Local County Health Unit for all systems that are located outside of Pulaski County.

For water systems within Pulaski County or for systems who wish to deliver their water samples to Little Rock there have been some changes. All water samples for lead and copper analysis must be shipped or delivered to the new Public Health Laboratory at 201 South Monroe. Samples must be taken to the receiving dock at the back of the building. Please take your samples inside and notify one of the workers that you are delivering water samples for lead and copper analysis. Do not take your samples to the front of the building. The receptionist at the front entrance will not accept the samples. As well, access to all other areas of the building is restricted to those individuals who possess the proper security badge.

Ship your samples through your local Health Unit to:                                                      

                                               Arkansas Department of Health
                                               Public Health Laboratory
                                               Slot 47
                                               201 South Monroe
                                               Little Rock, AR 72205

                                               Attention: Inorganic Laboratory
                                               Water samples for Lead and Copper analysis

If you have any questions concerning sample collection, the sampling forms, sample shipment or if you require a copy of your sampling site plan, please call me at (501) 661-2539, leave a message at 501-661-2623 or e-mail me at Teresa.Lee@arkansas.gov

Helpful Definitions for Community Water Systems

Lead and Copper Rule

LEAD SERVICE LINE: A service line made of lead which connects the water main to the building inlet and/or any lead pigtail, gooseneck, or other fitting which is connected to the service line.

MATERIALS SURVEY: Refers to a system’s initial evaluation of materials that are contained in its pipes and distribution system in order to identify sites with a high risk of lead occurrence.

REPRESENTATIVE SITE: A sampling site that is connected by plumbing materials that are similar to materials used at other sites in the water system.

SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES: A building constructed to allow occupancy of a single family. Apartment complexes and duplexes are not considered single family residences.

SOLDER:  A metallic compound used to seal joints in plumbing.  Until the lead ban took effect (approx. 1986) most solder contained about 50 percent lead.

TIER 1 SITE: A single family residence that contains lead pipes, or copper pipes with lead solder installed after 1982, or is served by a lead service line.

TIER 2 SITE: A building or multi-family residence (duplex or apartment) that contains lead pipes, or copper pipes with lead solder installed after 1982, or is served by a lead service line.

TIER 3 SITE: A single-family residence that contains copper pipes with lead solder installed before 1983.

TIER 4: Refers to those residences or buildings that do not fit into any of the above categories. These are typically homes with copper pipe without lead solder, PVC or galvanized steel plumbing.

****NOTE: If you do not have enough Tier 1, 2, or 3 sites, you must use representative sites to meet minimum sampling requirements. A site is representative if its plumbing is similar to that of other sites in your system.

ALL FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED USING BLUE OR BLACK INK. FORMS THAT ARE DETERMINED TO BE INCOMPLETE WILL BE RETURNED TO THE OPERATOR.

THE RESEARCHED FORM MUST BE SIGNED BY THE INDIVIDUAL PERFORMING THE MATERIALS SURVEY.  

Data from Animals & Insects

          Year

 

 

    
Tick Related Illness 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Anaplasmosis 8 8 7 15 16 14 6 8 4
Babesiosis 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 1
Bourbon Virus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Ehrlichiosis 53 84 165 237 193 204 207 173 235
Heartland Virus 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1
Lyme disease 0 0 0 0 1 7 7 4 4
Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis 558 835 488 826 891 821 1,216 1,065 1,029
Tularemia 39 26 41 43 24 24 32 56 71
Year Total 658 953 701 1,121 1,125 1,080 1,470 1,309 1,351

 

          Year        
Mosquito Related Illness - Locally Acquired 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Eastern equine Encephalitis (EEE) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
West Nile virus (WNV) 1 64 18 11 18 9 18 8 9
Year Total 4 64 19 11 18 9 18 8 9

 

Travel Associated 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Malaria 6 4 2 7 9 6 5 2 0
Chikungunya Virus 0 0 0 7 4 1 0 0 0
Dengue 0 1 2 4 1 3 0 2 2
Zika 0 0 0 0 3 16 2 0 0
Year Total 6 5 4 18 17 26 7 4 2

 

          Year        
Other Zoonotic Related Illness 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Animal Rabies 60 131 152 151 73 23 42 31 24
Blastomycosis 6 9 9 6 22 8 12 12 23
Brucellosis 3 1 3 0 1 3 1 2 4
Chagas Disease 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2
Histoplasmosis 66 51 56 67 60 71 161 85 67
Q-Fever 5 1 3 5 3 5 3 3 2
Toxoplasmosis 1 1 4 9 2 11 12 14 15

*Cases are defined as lab reports submitted to ADH that has either a Confirmed or Probable case Status, in the Arkansas Department of Health's NEDSS Based System (NBS). The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is an active participant in the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS). Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NEDSS is a system to improve the public health monitoring of diseases.

 

For Health Care Professionals: Case Definition

The Arkansas Department of Health utilizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) case definitions for reporting and surveillance purposes for all tick and mosquito related diseases (including Lyme). 

Surveillance case definitions are not intended to be used by healthcare providers for making a clinical diagnosis or determining how to meet an individual patient’s health needs.

Current case definitions for all diseases can be found on the CDC website.

 

Points for Patients

The Arkansas Department of Health is not responsible for diagnosing and testing for tickborne and most mosquito related diseases. ADH is mainly responsible for reporting laboratory and health care professional confirmed cases for surveillance purposes. It is important to recognize cases of disease when they occur, so ADH examines every disease related lab result of tick and mosquito related illness that is reported. Ticks and mosquitoes can be found throughout Arkansas. To avoid all tickborne and mosquito related illnesses, you can take these measures to prevent insect bites - click here.

Alpha-Gal (Allergy)

Galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose, or Alpha-Gal for short, is a delayed allergy to mammal meat affecting a growing number of the population. This allergy is initially caused by a tick bite. Since the reaction to eating mammal meat is delayed by several hours, the proper diagnosis is often missed or misdiagnosed. People who are afflicted with the Alpha-Gal allergy have to be constantly vigilant about the ingredients they consume, because an allergic reaction can be severe and life-threatening.

Delayed allergic reactions to red meat have been shown to be caused by several tick species worldwide (e.g. Ixodes ricinus in Europe and Ixodes holocyclus in Australia), with evidence suggesting that the Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is the primary cause of reactions in the U.S. Lone Star ticks carry a sugar called alpha-gal, which is also found in red meat, but not in people. Normally, alpha-gal in meat poses no problems for people. But when a Lone Star tick bites a person, it transfers alpha-gal into the bloodstream. As a result, the person's body produces antibodies to fight the sugar. The next time that person eats meat from a mammal (including beef, pork, lamb, venison, goat and bison) the meat triggers the release of histamine, a compound found in the body that causes allergic symptoms like hives, itching and even anaphylaxis (a reaction that leads to sudden weakness, swelling of the throat, lips and tongue, difficult breathing and/or unconsciousness).  Fish, turkey and chicken are not mammals, so they don’t have alpha-gal.

Most allergic reactions to foods occur almost immediately, but red meat allergic reactions can occur up to eight hours after a person eats meat. Often the reaction can be in the middle of the night and the connection to something they ate hours ago isn’t made easily.

The allergy most often occurs in the central and southern United States, which corresponds to the distribution of the Lone Star tick. In the Southern United States, where the tick is most prevalent, allergy rates are 32% higher than elsewhere. However, as doctors are not required to report the number of patients suffering the alpha-gal allergies, the true number of affected individuals is unknown.

 

Downloads & Resources
Citizens Petition
Statewide Emergency Medical Service Response to Alpha-Gal
Delayed Allergic Reactions to Mammalian Meat Induced by Tick Bites: A brief history of “Alpha-Gal allergy”
Resolution to Amend the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act to Include Mammalian Products

Drinking Water Information for Arkansans

Clicking on a letter in the block below will open a new browser window which will contain a list of community public water systems whose names start with that letter.  Information for each water system includes:
Contact Name Public Water System ID number
Mailing Address Retail Population Served
Phone Number Source Type(s)
Email Address (when available) A link to obtain more detailed information about this particular system.
Web Site Address (when available)
Also provided is a list of sources for this system and the status of its source water protection documents.

The Excel files available for downloading contain similar information, and those files can be obtained by clicking on the appropriate button.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A
B C D E F G H I J K
L M N O P Q R S T
U V W X Y Z
Download Community  System Data
Download Non-Community  System Data
 
Download Bacteriological
Contact List
 

Health Professionals Statistics

The Health Professions Manpower Assessment, maintained by the Health Statistics Branch of the Arkansas Department of Health, is the primary source of data on Arkansas’s healthcare workforce. Data is collected on an annual basis from professional licensing boards (PLB). PLB’s collect and provide our branch with information on their members including date of birth, address, and licensing specialties. This data is used to gather information on health profession shortages and medically underserved areas.

Publications
Health Professionals ManPower Statistics
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010

Submitting Data for Public Health Meaningful Use

The Arkansas Department of Health currently accepts electronic submissions of Health Level Seven (HL7) Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) cancer data messages from Eligible Professionals (EP). EPs interested in submitting cancer data for the Meaningful Use objective must work through the On-Boarding Process.

Meaningful Use logo

The Meaningful Use public health option allows Eligible Professionals (EP) to electronically submit data on cancer using Health Language Seven (HL7) Clinical Document Architecture (CDA).

 

 

 

Downloads
Cancer Attestation Process
Meaningful Use Cancer On-Boarding Instructions

Reporting cancer data is one way in which facilities and providers can meet Meaningful Use requirements.

Visit the Meaningful Use website for details on other ways to meet the requirements.

Office Address Phone Fax
Cancer Registry 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 7
Little Rock, AR 72205		 501-661-2463 501-661-2891
Cancer Coordinator 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 7
Little Rock, AR 72205		 501-661-2463 501-661-2891

Hospital Discharge Data System

The Arkansas Department of Health’s Hospital Discharge Data System is one of the most important tools for addressing a broad range of health policy issues.  Act 670 of 1995, A.C.A. 20-7-201 et seq., requires all hospitals licensed in the state of Arkansas to report information as prescribed by the State Board of Health.  “All hospitals” include general medical surgical (GMS) hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAH), long-term acute care hospitals (LTAC), psychiatric and rehabilitation hospitals.  The Act also specifically prohibits the release of any information from the collected data that identifies, or could be used to identify, any individual patient, provider, institution or health plan.

Since 1996, ADH’s Hospital Discharge Data System has increased its capacity and functionality to include practically all discharges. This includes 2000-2015 inpatient discharges- with a stay of more than one day; as well as 2013-2015 emergency department discharges. 2012 was the preliminary year for emergency department data.

The Hospital Discharge Data Team works diligently to process data of good quality and accuracy. This is achieved by editing and processing data from all hospitals and producing an annual dataset. Hospital personnel and researchers can request inpatient and/or emergency department data, and utilize it towards research and/or policy initiatives. Arkansas de-identified datasets are also shared with the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) through a Federal-State-Industry partnership sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). HCUP includes the largest collection of longitudinal hospital care data in the US.

Arkansas hospital discharge data can be requested through HCUP at https://hcupnet.ahrq.gov/. You can also access this data by clicking the Arkansas Center for Health Statistics Query System link; or by completing the HDDS IP/ED Discharge Data Request for Information forms below. After completing and submitting a request, the HDDS team reviews and responds to each inquiry within an allotted timeframe. Charges may also apply. 

Downloads

Hospital Inpatient Discharge Data Annual Report 2014
HDDS IP Discharge Data Request for Information Form 2017
HDDS ED Discharge Data Request for Information Form 2017

Arkansas Hospital Discharge Data Submittal Guides and Memos

Memos: 2014 Data Submittal Guide Coding Updates | 2014 Data Submittal Guides Corrections | 2014 Data Submittal Guides Effective Date Delayed  | 2014 Data Guide Correction Memo II

Submittal Guides:  Inpatient Database: 2014  |  Emergency Department Patient Database: 2014

Emergency Communication Center - 24/7

The 24/7 Emergency Communication Center serves as a 24 hours a day/7 days a week triage and communication system that routes a wide variety of urgent calls to the appropriate staff personnel. Urgent and emergency calls include but are not limited to illness, oil spills, chemical releases, train derailments, communicable disease outbreaks, single cases of strange or unfamiliar diseases, public water failures, flooding, etc.

ADH physicians, laboratories, epidemiologists, and public health veterinary staff, and other appropriate personnel are available 24 /7 to respond to urgent reports of illness or events of public health concern. The phone number below reaches the ADH Emergency Communication Center, who will gather a summary of the information from you and aid you in getting in contact with the appropriate staff.

Office Phone
ADH Emergency Communication Center

1-800-651-3493
If Reporting After Hours 501-661-2136

Web EOC Login

Obtaining a Water Operator License

This guide provides vital information to assist you in obtaining your water operator license.  Please click on the blue text for the weblink to the document.

Step 1:  Determine License Required or Desired

1) Determine Licenses required for the Public Water System of interest click this link

or

2) Determine license desired from Attachment 1 of the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Water Operator Licensing

Step 2: Apply for Desired License

Complete and submit License Application

Step 3: Meet Mandatory Training Requirements

Ways to meet mandatory training requirements

Mandatory Training Course Schedule

Document Course Attendance by submitting course completion certificates:

Email to ADH.Water.Licensing@arkansas.gov as an attachment

Fax to 501.661.2032

Step 4: Preparation for License Exam

Needs To Know and other exam preparation materials

Treatment (2017 NTK Version) 

Distribution (2017 NTK Version) 

Very Small System

PWS Compliance Summary

Includes PWS Regulations,  Water Operator License Law  &  Regulations

ADH PWS Compliance Course reference document

Download Course Presentation Materials 

Exam Formula Sheet (Identical to formula sheet provided during license exam)

List of Study Books

Step 5: Sit for License Exam

Paper Based Exam (Must register 45 days in advance of paper exam session)

Paper Exam Session Schedule

Computer Based Exam

Re-exam needed:

Pay $25.00 re-exam fee using fee invoice provided with exam results & repeat step 5 above.

Step 6: License Issued

Exam Passed and Experience Met – License Issued

Exam Passed and Experience Not Met – Operator-In-Training (OIT) Wallet Certificate Issued

To Convert OIT to License submit Experience Update Form

Additional Exam Preparation Information

1)Arkansas Public Water System Compliance Summary – This is a summary of water system compliance requirements related to complying with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Department of Health public water system requirements and policies.  The Summary is an exam reference, used during exam preparation and mandatory training courses.  The “Drinking Water Compliance Course” uses this reference extensively.

a)Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Public Water Systems – (Appendix A of Compliance Summary)  The Regulations ensure that public water systems provide ample quantities of safe, palatable water in compliance with the National Primary Drinking Water Standards.  The Regulations are an exam reference used during exam preparation and mandatory training courses.  The “Drinking Water Compliance Course” uses this reference extensively.

b)Water Operator Licensing Law and its Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Water Operator Licensing – (Appendix C and D of Compliance Summary)  The Licensing Law and its Regulations are provided to offer you complete in-depth information pertaining to your chosen profession.

2)Treatment, Distribution, or Very Small System “Need To Know Criteria” (NTK) –The NTK is provided by the Association of Boards of Certification and is used to narrow down the areas of study.  Included is the ABC Formula Sheet and math study aid to focus on needed areas of math preparation.

3)Reference Manual List – Provides information on the reference manuals referred to in the ABC Need To Know Criteria and information on how to obtain the manuals.  The reference manuals are a critically needed exam preparation tool and are the primary textbooks used in the mandatory training courses.  Many Public Water Systems already have the manuals.  

4)Meeting Mandatory Training Requirements – Provides information on the requirements for the specific required mandatory training courses that must be attended or met utilizing the allowed alternate methods to meet the mandatory training requirements.  The training must be obtained prior to sitting for the water license exam.  Please review your records and the requirements to assure the requirements are met.

5)Mandatory Training Schedule – The training schedule, with contact information for the training providers, is provided to assist you in scheduling your mandatory training courses.  Contact information is provided to assist you in registration for the courses or to be placed on the individual trainers’ mailing list.

6)Exam Schedule – The exam schedule is provided to assist you in determining the best time and location to take an exam.  Please note, you must register for the exam 45 or more days before the exam session date. See exam registration forms.

 

The above information, the recommended referenced study manuals, and the mandatory training should provide you with the necessary materials and tools needed to properly prepare for and pass the exam. Of course, your level of commitment to exam preparation is the most important key to success.

The above materials, any other study materials or reference manuals will not be allowed into the test facility. A formula sheet identical to the one you have received will be provided at the exam site.  Of course, a non-programmable calculator is allowed.

 

PREPARATION WILL BRING SUCCESS

Drinking Water Emergency Response

Emergency Response

image of glass being filled from faucetThe Rules & Regulations Pertaining to Public Water Systems requires that: "The owner [of a public water system] shall report to the Arkansas Department of Health within four hours of the discovery and evaluation of any emergency condition located in the water system which affects the ability of the water system to deliver adequate quantities of safe water to its customers.  Examples of such emergencies include loss of pressure in the distribution system, failure of the source or treatment facility or parts thereof, voluntary or mandatory water conservation efforts, or the known or suspected introduction of any contaminant into the water system."

If such an event occurs, please notify the Department of Health by calling the Division of Engineering (during normal working hours) at the number listed below.  After hours, please notify the Department of Health Emergency Communications Center at the number listed below. The Emergency Communications Center has home, cell, and pager numbers for Division management and home phone numbers for other Division staff.

Emergency Preparation & Response Internet Resources

The following links are provided to assist water system personnel in assessing risk and determining the appropriate response to actual, suspected, or potential terrorist activities.

Reports On Health Problems in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Health’s new report on Arkansas’s Big Health Problems and How We Plan to Solve Them is now available. We invite you to read it and use it to get involved in public health. We are happy to take your comments and answer any questions you may have.

This report provides an overview of the health problems in Arkansas. The health problems discussed are life expectancy, infant mortality and health literacy. Other chapters address important issues that affect our health such as living in rural Arkansas, having unequal opportunities and growing factors that may affect how our health problems are solved. Also, the report meets two of the three prerequisites for applying for public health accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board.

Downloads
Arkansas’s Big Health Problems and How We Plan to Solve Them
Introduction to Public Health Accreditation

For more information or inquiries about the ADH report on Arkansas's Big Health Problems and How We Plan to Solve Them, email ADH.Healthreport@arkansas.gov.

Public Health in Arkansas

Keeping Your Hometown Healthy

Preventing disease and disability has been a major concern of the Arkansas Department of Health for a long time. In fact, the roots of public health can be traced back to 1832, when Little Rock's town council created the first city board of health in the Arkansas Territory.

Relatively few Arkansans died when yellow fever ravaged the Mississippi Valley in 1878, yet the epidemic's effects proved to be the catalyst to organize the first official state board of health in 1881 – which died due to lack of funds. When the Legislature moved out of the Old State House to the current capitol building for its first session in 1913, a permanent state board of health was appointed – seven members, all physicians – and moved into the vacated facility on Markham Street. Since that time the Board has regulated and generally provided supervision for all public health activities.

In the beginning, the new board of health focused on eradicating hookworm. A program to improve home and school sanitation was initiated, as well as a program to eliminate malaria through mosquito control. In 1918, Arkansas became the first state to require children to have a compulsory childhood smallpox vaccination in order to attend school. In 1919, the Board began a vigorous educational campaign against venereal disease after thousands of infected Arkansans were unable to join the Army during World War I. By the 1920s, with the assistance of federal and private funds, the Board had instituted inspections of water supplies and mandated sanitary requirements that practically eliminated Typhoid fever. An effective program for improving the health of infants and mothers caused the infant death rate to decline and life expectancy to increase, all before the end of the 1920s.

The Great Depression of the 1930s amplified the health problems of that era. Many people who could no longer afford private medical care turned to public health for assistance. During this time, thousands of immunizations were given to combat typhoid fever, smallpox and diphtheria.

By the late 1930s and into the 1940s, the Department had begun cancer and heart programs, as well as for safe water supplies and malaria control. It also stepped up efforts related to food safety and drug control. During the post-war era, more and more people moved into cities from farms, creating new needs related to city water and sewer services.

Also after World War II, public health centered on incorporating modern technology and conveniences into the existing health care and health protection structure. Many people, however, remained without access to primary health services. The anti-poverty programs of the 1960s directed attention  to the needs of the poor. New social programs dictated new directions for public health while making possible the dramatic expansion of public health activities.

Beginning in the first part of the 1960s, Arkansas led the nation in tuberculosis treatment by developing a program that applied new theories about health services planning and implementation as well as the effects of modern medical technology and treatment. Short-term hospital treatment was a startling change from previous methods of treatment.  Better diagnosis and new drugs made traditional sanatorium treatment obsolete.

From the mid-1960s the field of public health has experienced profound changes in its goals and structure. Exploration in new roles for public health work go beyond tuberculosis treatment and environmental control to encompass home health, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs, maternity and infant care, and youth projects and programs emphasizing prevention and early treatment of medical conditions.

Today's Department of Health

In the 21st Century, our public health services continue to evolve and expand. New or updated programs and services today include: 

Board of Health Today

In 1971, an extensive reorganization of government in Arkansas changed the duties of the Board of Health. Many of the powers that existed within the Board were transferred to the Department of Health, which became a cabinet level agency in the executive branch of government responsible for implementing the Board’s regulations. The Board retained four very important responsibilities:

Today’s Board is comprised of 24 members, including eight medical doctors. As we look forward to the challenges of the future in public health, the Board remains a vitally important partner and will remain an essential element in any reform or change in the health delivery system in the state.

*A source for much of the information above was “The Pain in Prevention, A History of Public Health in Arkansas” written by Sarah Hudson Scholle for the Arkansas Department of Health, copyright 1990.

Arkansas Health System

Health Workforce Strategic Plan logo

Many people across the state are working to proactively shape the future of our health system including undertaking important activities to improve the health payment system, strategically plan for a future health workforce, implementing statewide use of health information technology and planning for the health benefits exchange. A vision for a better Arkansas Health System has been developed and serves as a guide for this work.

Downloads
Workforce Strategic Plan

AHELP

Injury and Violence Prevention Resources

Get Tested for HIV/AIDS

HealthCare Decision Forms

Below are the Health Care Decision Forms that were adopted by the Board of Health on October 24, 2013 pursuant to the Health Care Decisions Act (Act 1264 of 2013).

Downloads
Acceptance of Surrogate Form
Advance Care Plan Form
Appointment of Health Care Agent Form

Act 504 of 2017 Arkansas Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act (POLST) provides a standardized physician order form. The links below include the standardized physician order form and helpful directions for completing the order form.

Resources
Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment

Oral Health

BreastCare Provider Forms and Manuals

 

Provider, Billing Forms, and Manuals

 

Patient Care Forms

 

Patient Education and Handouts

 

Provider Management Forms

BreastCare Providers

News for Current Providers

 

Breast and Cervical Reimbursement Rates Updated for 2019

BreastCare has updated the reimbursement amounts for covered procedures for 2019. The updated reimbursement rate tables can be found under Billing Information on the Forms and Manuals page.

BreastCare Provider Forms and Manuals Updated

BreastCare has updated several forms and manuals including the BreastCare Provider Manual, Billing Manual, the tobacco fax referral form, Welcome to BreastCare patient handout and provider management forms for updating your banking details, contract information and providers. All of these updated forms and manuals can be found on the Forms and Manuals page.

Phishing E-mail Alert

It has been brought to our attention that phishing e-mails are being sent to BreastCare providers posing as our Contracts Manager or BreastCare Provider Management. Since many of you recognize our staff’s name or BreastCare, you may be tempted to open the email and its attachments but don't. These e-mails are not from BreastCare. Instead this is an attempt to gain access to your system to get information from you or infect your computer with a virus. Delete the e-mail and report it to your IT department in case they can track or block it. Please contact BreastCare with any questions or concerns you may have.

BreastCare Patient Eligibility Verification (September 2017)

Eligibility verification for BreastCare patients is no longer available through the Medicaid portal. This service ended August 31, 2017. BreastCare providers can verify eligibility from the plan dates on the patient’s BreastCare card or by contacting BreastCare at 1-855-661-7830.

BreastCare Billing System Launched (September 2017)

Our new web-based BreastCare Billing System was launched in early September. Billing personnel who need access and have not already requested it, should complete and return the form below. Only BreastCare providers with current agreements can access the system. If your provider group(s) does not have a current agreement or have not yet completed the re-enrollment process, you are encouraged to do so soon.

We appreciate your service as a BreastCare provider and look forward to our continued partnership offering high quality breast and cervical screening and diagnostic services to the women of Arkansas.

Questions or concerns regarding this transition can be directed to BreastCare via e-mail at BreastCare@arkansas.gov or the mailing address below.

Arkansas Department of Health
Attn: BreastCare Billing
4815 West Markham Street, Slot 11
Little Rock, AR 72205

 

BreastCare Now Covers 3D Mammography (January 2017)

The Arkansas BreastCare program is now covering 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) as a reimbursable procedure as of October 1, 2016. BreastCare is using the following CMS guidance for Medicare reimbursement instructions for billing these codes:

BreastCare Expands Eligibility for Pap Testing and Diagnostic Services (March 2016)

The BreastCare program has revised eligibility guidelines to expand coverage. The revised guidelines include expanding the age range for cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services and providing diagnostic services for underinsured (insured but meet financial criteria) women who qualify. BreastCare now covers Pap testing for uninsured women between 21 and 39 years old as well as any diagnostics and follow up needed as a result of an abnormal screening. Diagnostic services may also be covered for those who are insured but need assistance with co-pays, co-insurance or deductibles. For questions about these new guidelines, please contact your Regional BreastCare Coordinator. (March 2016)

Becoming a BreastCare Provider

Regular screening and early detection are our best bets for helping Arkansas women fight breast and cervical cancer. We always welcome the opportunity to partner with more providers to offer breast and cervical services. 

It is easy to enroll! Just go to https://health.arkansas.gov/BreastCareProviderNew/ and complete your online application. It only takes about 15 minutes to complete a basic application.

In order to enroll as a BreastCare provider you will need to complete: Provider Basic Identification, Provider Demography, Provider Banking Information, W-9 Form, Provider Specialty Form, and Questionnaire. Have all documents for the application ready and the process will move faster.

For questions or additional information, contact our Provider and Contracts Manager at 501-661-2836.

Arkansas Stroke Registry Participating Hospitals

Participating Hospital

County

Arkansas Heart Hospital

Pulaski

Arkansas Methodist Medical Center

Greene

Ashley County Medical Center

Ashley

Baptist Health - Fort Smith

 Sebastian

Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia

Clark

Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway

Faulkner

Baptist Health Medical Center-Heber Springs

Cleburne

Baptist Health Medical Center-Hot Spring County

Hot Spring

Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock

Pulaski

Baptist Health Medical Center-NLR 

Pulaski

Baptist Health Medical Center-Stuttgart

Arkansas
Baptist Memorial Hospital - Crittenden

Crittenden
Baptist Health - Van Buren

Crawford

Baxter Regional Medical Center

Baxter

Bradley County Medical Center

Bradley
Chambers Memorial Hospital

Yell

CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs

Garland

CHI St. Vincent Infirmary

Pulaski

CHI St. Vincent Morrilton 

Conway

CHI St. Vincent North

Pulaski

Chicot Memorial Medical Center

Chicot

CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System

Bowie-TX

Conway Regional Medical Center

Faulkner

CrossRidge Community Hospital 

Wynne 

Dallas County Medical Center

 Dallas
Dardanelle Regional Medical Center

Yell

Delta Memorial Hospital

Desha

DeWitt Hospital

Arkansas

Drew Memorial Hospital

Drew

Forrest City Medical Center

St. Francis
Fulton County Hospital

Fulton

Great River Medical Center 

Mississippi

Helena Regional Medical Center

Phillips

Howard Memorial Hospital

 Howard
Jefferson Regional Medical Center

Jefferson

Johnson Regional Medical Center   

Johnson

Lawrence Memorial Hospital

Lawrence
Little River Memorial Hospital

Little River

McGehee Hospital

Desha

Magnolia Regional Medical Center

Columbia

Medical Center of South Arkansas

Union

Mena Regional Health System

 Polk
Mercy Hospital - Berryville

Carroll

Mercy Hospital Booneville

Logan

Mercy Hospital Fort Smith  

Sebastian

Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas

Benton

Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas - Bella Vista

 Benton

Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas - Springdale

 Benton and Washington

Mercy Hospital Ozark

Franklin

Mercy Hospital Paris

Logan

Mercy Hospital Waldron

Scott

Methodist University Hospital

Shelby-TN

National Park Medical Center

Garland

NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital 

Craighead

North Arkansas Regional Medical Center

Boone

Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville

Benton

Northwest Medical Center-Springdale

Washington/Benton

Ouachita County Medical Center

Ouachita

Ozark Health Medical Center

Van Buren
Ozarks Community Hospital

Benton
Piggott Community Hospital

Clay

Saline Memorial Hospital

Saline

Siloam Springs Regional Hospital

 Benton

SMC Regional Medical Center

Mississippi

St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center 

Pope

St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center

 Randolph
St. Bernards Medical Center

Craighead

Stone County Medical Center

Stone

UAMS Medical Center

Pulaski
Unity Health - Harris Medical Center

Jackson
Unity Health - White County Medical Center

White

Wadley Regional Medical Center

Bowie, TX

Wadley Regional Medical Center at Hope

 Hempstead

Washington Regional Medical Center

Washington
White River Health System Cherokee Village

Fulton and Sharp

White River Medical Center

Independence

Arkansas Stroke Ready Hospitals

Arkansas Stroke Ready Hospital

County

 Designation Date
Ashley County Medical Center Ashley

January 2019

Baptist Health Medical Center - Arkadelphia

Clark

 September 2019

Baptist Health Medical Center - Heber Springs

Cleburne

 September 2016

Baptist Health Medical Center - Hot Spring County

Hot Spring

 September 2016
Baptist Health Medical Center - North Little Rock

Pulaski

 September 2018

Baptist Health Medical Center - Stuttgart

Arkansas

 September 2016
Baxter Regional Medical Center Baxter

July 2019

CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs

Garland

 April 2018
Chicot Memorial Medical Center Chicot

November 2018
Conway Regional Medical Center Faulkner

September 2018
Dallas County Medical Center Dallas

December 2018

Drew Memorial Hospital

 Drew January 2018

Five Rivers Medical Center (Pocahontas, AR)

Randolph

 September 2019
Forrest City Medical Center St. Francis

January 2019
Fulton County Hospital Fulton

February 2019
Johnson Regional Medical Center Johnson

July 2019

Medical Center of South Arkansas

 Union January 2018

Mercy Hospital Booneville

Logan

 September 2016

Mercy Hospital Ozark

Franklin

 September 2019

Mercy Hospital Paris

Logan

 September 2016

Mercy Hospital Waldron

Scott

 September 2016

National Park Medical Center

Garland

 April 2018

Ouachita County Medical Center

Ouachita

 April 2018

Ozark Health Medical Center

 Van Buren November 2019
St. Bernards Medical Center Craighead

August 2019
St. Mary's Regional Medical Center Pope

January 2019

White River Medical Center

 Independence October 2019

WRMC Cherokee Village

 Fulton and Sharp October 2019

Click here for map.

Click here for list of provisionally designated hospitals.

    

Primary Stroke Center

County

 

Baptist Health Medical Center - Little Rock

Pulaski

  

CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System

Bowie (TX)

  

Mercy Hospital Fort Smith

Sebastian

  
Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas

Benton

  
Northwest Medical Center - Bentonville

Benton

  

Northwest Medical Center - Springdale

 Benton and Washington  

Sparks Regional Medical Center

Sebastian

  

Wadley Regional Medical Center

Bowie (TX)

  

Washington Regional Medical Center

Washington

  
     

Comprehensive Stroke Center

County

 

Methodist University Hospital

Shelby (TN)

  

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

 Pulaski  

 

Advisory Board for Interpreters for the Deaf

Ark. Code Ann. § 20-14-804 creates the Advisory Board for Interpreters between Hearing Individuals and Individuals who are Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, or Oral Deaf, which consists of seven (7) members appointed by the Director of the Arkansas Department of Health.

Together we will ensure that individuals who are Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, or Oral Deaf and those they communicate with may depend upon competent, reliable interpreting services.

Advisory Board Members

Name Contact Info Constituency Term Expiration
Carel Dunaway, Chairperson carel128@yahoo.com Deaf Citizen 12.31.20
Jami Hollingsworth jjhollingswo@ualr.edu Interpreter 12.31.19
Michael McMahon mjmcmahon@ualr.edu Interpreter 12.31.20
Daisy Dippel daisykayp@yahoo.com Interpreter 12.31.21
Holly Ketchum Holly.Ketchum@arkansas.gov Deaf Citizen 12.31.19
Nancy Quinn jbquinn43@msn.com Interpreter 12.31.21
Raphael James rajames@ualr.edu Interpreter 12/31/19

Committees

Licensure Committee Investigation Committee Budget/Fee Ad Hoc Committee Technology Committee
Jami Hollingsworth, Chairperson Holly Ketchum Carel Dunaway Raphael James, Chairperson
Daisy Dippel Carel Dunaway Jami Hollingsworth Jami Hollingsworth
Holly Ketchum Nancy Quinn Holly Ketchum Daisy Dippel
Nancy Quinn Raphael James    

Forms

Arkansas Interpreter Licensure Application
Arkansas Provisional Licensure Application
Complaint Form
Letter from the Chair of the Arkansas Advisory Board

2019 Quarterly Meetings

2019 Quarterly Subcommittee Meetings

Board Minutes

11.01.19 | Minutes
02.01.19 | Minutes

Resources

Licensed Qualified and Provisional Interpreters
Arkansas Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (ARID)
Rules and Regulations
Act 1314

Email us for Questions or Additional Information, or contact us by phone at 501-280-4505.

Workshops & Professional Development

School Health Conference 

July 11 - 13, 2017: Every other year, the Biennial School Health Conference for the state of Arkansas is held. It has been a huge success and allows health professionals, educators, and anyone interested in inspiring health and wellness in the youth of Arkansas to learn and participate. The conference has many exhibits, sponsors, and vendors every year that provide great information and door prizes for participants.

2017 School Health Conference logo

Time Location
8:30 AM Benton Event Center
17322 I-30
Benton, AR

Coordinated School Health Quarterly Meeting

The next meeting will be held September 6, 2017.

 

Archives

September 21, 2016 - Meeting Resources

December 4, 2014  - Meeting Resources

CSH Resources

Success Stories

Springdale Mothers on the Move Program

Dalana Rodgers, a teacher at the Early Childhood Center in Springdale has implemented a successful new program related to family and community involvement and the Joint Use Agreement trail. The Moms on the Move (MOM) program encourages the use of the walking trail that was put in around their building to promote wellness for their families and relationships between mothers. The program kicked off on October 1st and in three weeks mothers have walked a total of 165.5 miles. Students on the playground are encouraging the moms as they walk the track and teachers are talking about the importance of being active with the students. They have seen many moms walking together and developing relationships outside of the home. Due to increases in popularity they have had to scale back the amount of tracking they do to report the outcome for the whole school to see.

Springdale - Girls on the Run

school kids in Springdale, Arkansas

Embarking on year two of implementing a School Based Health Center, known as The Wellness Center at Jones Elementary School in Springdale Arkansas, the Physician's Assistant and Licensed Clinical Social Worker looked for an educational outreach venue that would support both physical and mental health. The students at Jones are overwhelmingly the children of poverty and speak English as a second language; they lack financial, social and transportation resources to participate in organized sports or extracurricular activities. Living a few miles down the road from Bentonville Arkansas, the home of Wal-Mart, the students live in the shadow of wealth. As a complement to the Wellness Center at Jones and in efforts to improve access to physical activity and to address the childhood obesity epidemic, the personnel at Jones applied for and received a Joint Use Agreement (JUA) grant from the Arkansas Department of Education in 2010. With the $10,000 awarded in JUA funds the school district purchased supplies and materials to build a quarter mile trail on school grounds. The City of Springdale agreed to provide the manpower and equipment needed to install the trail. The JUA trail at Jones Elementary is now available for use by students, faculty and staff when school is in session and by the community at other times.school kids in Hot Springs

The staff from the Wellness Center in recognition of the resources provided through the Wellness Center combined with the facility provided by the Joint Use Agreement trail decided to use the Girls on the Run program. The program is ideal because it addresses the physical, emotional and social needs of the child. Girls were invited to join the Girls on the Run Team and were provided with generic running shoes through the district's social service fund. They participated in physical training for six weeks as well as bonding exercises, self-esteem building activities, anti-bullying curricula and art projects. The entire process was a great success. Girls expanded their physical activity parameters, explored character traits and positive pro social interaction and experienced enhanced self-esteem through feelings of accomplishment and through recognition provided by classmates, parents and community members.

Hot Springs School District

Hot Springs Middle School has opened up a cardio lab for all employees as part of the Coordinated School Health School-Site Health Promotion effort.  It is currently open to all staff of the Hot Springs School District three nights a week.

How do you increase physical activity when there is no time in the school day and it’s not feasible to hire another physical education teacher?

Gardner Elementary found the solution with Classercise DVDs, a fun, physical workshop that can be used in the classroom. The workouts enhance the children’s endurance, flexibility, balance, coordination, and gross motor skills. They also receive healthy fitness area inside schoollifestyle messages on ways to replenish their bodies with nutritious foods and beverages. With the Classercise DVDs, teachers can schedule an activity break time anywhere in their schedule providing the students a great transition from classroom studies while giving them much needed physical exercise.

Focusing on nutrition and physical activity, Oaklawn Elementary created Individual Wellness Plans (IWP) for their students. Each student was taught how to use the plan and then asked to record at least 30 minutes a day of physical activity, listing the activities and requiring a parent’s signature. At Oaklawn, at least 65% of the students participated in the IWP. As a result, more students became involved in community programs such as the Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA. Many parents expressed excitement about the program because it required the child to be accountable and provided for family involvement in making smart and healthy decisions. Overall, an increase in families participating in physical activity was noticed.

Hot Springs Middle School incorporated the Presidential Physical Fitness Test to address their students’ poor nutritional habits and declining physical fitness levels. Prior to the test, class discussions, computer labs, and DVDs were utilized to educate the students on the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Then all 6th-8th grade students were given the test. This test is comprised of 5 specific tests (curl-ups, shuttle run, endurance run/walk, pull-ups and V-sit and reach). These tests measure specific fitness components: agility, flexibility, endurance, and strength. One student earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award and 12 others earned the National Physical Fitness Award.

The high school physical education teacher and consumer science teacher taught a unit on the importance of nutrition and exercise for a healthy body. After participating in the unit, one Junior lost 87.4 pounds and showed a 36% decrease in her body mass. She said her motivation was the physical education and nutrition classes and the support she received from the teachers. Now that she has reached her goal, she plans to maintain her weight and begin toning.

Funding Opportunities

School Food Support Initiative

Applications due 11/30, informational webinar 11/2 at 4pm ET.

The program is currently in its second round of grant funding (from now until November 30) and its goal is to provide up to seven school districts with technical assistance, strategic planning and funding opportunities to improve operations. You can find more details about program services and eligibility criteria, as well as a link to the online application on the School Food Support Initiative Webpage. For more information, there will be an informational webinar on Wednesday November 2 at 4 p.m. EST to learn about how the program works and the impact it’s currently having in school districts.

USDA Farm to School Grant Program RFA Now Available

Grant applications due December 8.

USDA released the Fiscal year 2017 Farm to School Grant Program Request for Applications for up to $5 million in grant funds to further USDA efforts to increase locally sourced foods in America’s school meals. Annually, USDA awards up to $5 million in competitive grants for training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing school gardens, developing partnerships, and implementing farm to school programs.

Click here for more information.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides all children in participating schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day. It is an effective and creative way of introducing fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options. The FFVP also encourages schools to develop partnerships at the State and local level for support in implementing and operating the program.

Click here for more information.

Joint Use Agreement Grant

The Arkansas Joint Use Agreement (JUA) Grant is a competitive application process made possible and supported by Arkansas’ governor and the Arkansas Tobacco Excise Tax. These funds help schools adopt and implement joint use policy which allows schools to form community partnerships to maximize resources while increasing opportunities for physical activity. Funds are available each fiscal year based on Tobacco Excise Tax appropriations or until funds are expended.

Click here for more information.

 

Coordinated School Health Data

It is crucial to school health improvement to self-evaluate your progress. This allows each school to analyze their school quantitatively through gathered data and qualitatively through student and staff feedback. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) School Health Assessment site lists three helpful ways to track your progress and data along with providing information about each program and frequently asked questions.

Along with this, schools should submit data to the Arkansas School Health Services Office and especially stay current with their Arkansas Consolidated School Improvement Plan (ACSIP) which helps to provide and report beneficial information. This allows the School Health Services Office to analyze the statewide data on the health of the students in the schools and the programs being utilized to teach and improve student health.

 

Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) will help Arkansas identify public school students' current health and safety habits so that improvements can be made where needed. Healthy lifestyles for Arkansas students mean longer, more productive lives for the states' young people, as well as improved learning in the classroom. These behaviors, often established during childhood and early adolescence, include:

Arkansas YRBS Results

 

School Health Profiles

The school health profiles assist state and local education and health agencies in monitoring and assessing characteristics of and trends in school health education; physical education; asthma management activities; school health policies related to HIV/AIDS prevention, tobacco-use prevention, violence prevention, physical activity, and nutrition; food service; and family and community involvement in school health programs. Data from Profiles can be used to improve school heath programs. Two questionnaires are used to collect data--one for school principals and one for lead health education teachers. Results from the principal and lead health education surveys represent participating selected schools, grades 6 through 12. The results are weighted and are representative of all regular secondary schools in Arkansas having at least one of grades 6 through 12. The Profiles questionnaires were developed by the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with representatives of state, local, and territorial departments of health and education. 

CSH Plan Schools

The schools that follow the Coordinated School Health Plan have been actively involved in developing an infrastructure at their schools, along with a work plan containing goals, objectives and outcomes. In addition, the coordinator at each school has attended a Coordinators' Meeting held quarterly in Little Rock with Coordinated School Health staff from the Arkansas Department of Education. The school districts are listed along with the administrator's name, coordinator's name, and contact information. These schools welcome inquiries as to their successes and challenges.

Components of WSCC

Components of Whole School, Whole Community, and Whole Child (WSCC)

Health Education 

Formal, structured health education consists of any combination of planned learning experiences that provide the opportunity to acquire information and the skills students need to make quality health decisions. When provided by qualified, trained teachers, health education helps students acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need for making health-promoting decisions, achieving health literacy, adopting health-enhancing behaviors, and promoting the health of others. Comprehensive school health education includes curricula and instruction for students in pre-K through grade 12 that address a variety of topics such as alcohol and other drug use and abuse, healthy eating/nutrition, mental and emotional health, personal health and wellness, physical activity, safety and injury prevention, sexual health, tobacco use, and violence prevention. Health education curricula and instruction should address the National Health Education Standards (NHES) and incorporate the characteristics of an effective health education curriculum.

Health education, based on an assessment of student health needs and planned in collaboration with the community, ensures reinforcement of health messages that are relevant for students and meet community needs. Students might also acquire health information through education that occurs as part of a patient visit with a school nurse, through posters or public service announcements, or through conversations with family and peers.

 
Nutrition Environment and Services

The school nutrition environment provides students with opportunities to learn about and practice healthy eating through available foods and beverages, nutrition education, and messages about food in the cafeteria and throughout the school campus. Students may have access to foods and beverages in a variety of venues at school including the cafeteria, vending machines, grab ‘n’ go kiosks, schools stores, concession stands, classroom rewards, classroom parties, school celebrations, and fundraisers.

School nutrition services provide meals that meet federal nutrition standards for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, accommodate the health and nutrition needs of all students, and help ensure that foods and beverages sold outside of the school meal programs (i.e., competitive foods) meet Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. School nutrition professionals should meet minimum education requirements and receive annual professional development and training to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to provide these services. All individuals in the school community support a healthy school nutrition environment by marketing and promoting healthier foods and beverages, encouraging participation in the school meal programs, role-modeling healthy eating behaviors, and ensuring that students have access to free drinking water throughout the school day.

Healthy eating has been linked in studies to improved learning outcomes and helps ensure that students are able to reach their potential.

 
Employee Wellness

Schools are not only places of learning, but they are also worksites. Fostering school employees’ physical and mental health protects school staff, and by doing so, helps to support students’ health and academic success. Healthy school employees—including teachers, administrators, bus drivers, cafeteria and custodial staff, and contractors—are more productive and less likely to be absent. They serve as powerful role models for students and may increase their attention to students’ health. Schools can create work environments that support healthy eating, adopt active lifestyles, be tobacco free, manage stress, and avoid injury and exposure to hazards (e.g., mold, asbestos). A comprehensive school employee wellness approach is a coordinated set of programs, policies, benefits, and environmental supports designed to address multiple risk factors (e.g., lack of physical activity, tobacco use) and health conditions (e.g., diabetes, depression) to meet the health and safety needs of all employees. Partnerships between school districts and their health insurance providers can help offer resources, including personalized health assessments and flu vaccinations. Employee wellness programs and healthy work environments can improve a district’s bottom line by decreasing employee health insurance premiums, reducing employee turnover, and cutting costs of substitutes.

School Wellness Guide: A Guide for Protecting the Assets of Our Nation's Schools is a comprehensive guide that provides information, practical tools and resources for school employee wellness programs.

 

Social and Emotional School Climate

Social and Emotional School Climate refers to the psychosocial aspects of students’ educational experience that influence their social and emotional development. The social and emotional climate of a school can impact student engagement in school activities; relationships with other students, staff, family, and community; and academic performance. A positive social and emotional school climate is conducive to effective teaching and learning. Such climates promote health, growth, and development by providing a safe and supportive learning environment.

 

Physical Environment

A healthy and safe school environment includes the physical and aesthetic surroundings and the psychosocial climate and culture of the school. Factors that influence the physical environment include the school building and the area surrounding it, any biological or chemical agents that are detrimental to health, and physical conditions such as temperature, noise, and lighting. The psychosocial environment includes the physical, emotional, and social conditions that affect the well-being of students and staff.

 

Health Services

School health services intervene with actual and potential health problems, including providing first aid, emergency care and assessment and planning for the management of chronic conditions (such as asthma or diabetes). In addition, wellness promotion, preventive services and staff, student and parent education complement the provision of care coordination services. These services are also designed to ensure access and/or referrals to the medical home or private healthcare provider. Health services connect school staff, students, families, community and healthcare providers to promote the health care of students and a healthy and safe school environment. School health services actively collaborate with school and community support services to increase the ability of students and families to adapt to health and social stressors, such as chronic health conditions or social and economic barriers to health, and to be able to manage these stressors and advocate for their own health and learning needs. Qualified professionals such as school nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, health educators, physicians, physician assistants and allied health personnel provide these services.

By promoting health in all facets, the state of Arkansas hopes to diminish chronic diseases, eliminate drug and alcohol abuse, address mental health issues, inspire a positive self-image, and teach students good healthcare habits as they grow from adolescence to young adulthood. The Arkansas Department of Health, along with its other partners, wish to enable students and the community to become informed about their health and teach them to be proactive in disease prevention. 

These services are designed to ensure access or referral to primary health care services or both, foster appropriate use of primary health care services, prevent and control communicable disease and other health problems, provide emergency care for illness or injury, promote and provide optimum sanitary conditions for a safe school facility and school environment, and provide educational and counseling opportunities for promoting and maintaining individual, family, and community health. Qualified professionals such as physicians, nurses, dentists, health educators, and other allied health personnel provide these services. In many schools the School-Based Health Centers have been instrumental in helping students, the school faculty, the students family, and the community with mental and physical health needs.

 

Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services

These prevention and intervention services support the mental, behavioral, and social-emotional health of students and promote success in the learning process. Services include psychological, psychoeducational, and psychosocial assessments; direct and indirect interventions to address psychological, academic, and social barriers to learning, such as individual or group counseling and consultation; and referrals to school and community support services as needed. Additionally, systems-level assessment, prevention, intervention, and program design by school-employed mental health professionals contribute to the mental and behavioral health of students as well as to the health of the school environment. These can be done through resource identification and needs assessments, school-community-family collaboration, and ongoing participation in school safety and crisis response efforts. Additionally, school-employed professionals can provide skilled consultation with other school staff and community resources and community providers. School-employed mental health professionals ensure that services provided in school reinforce learning and help to align interventions provided by community providers with the school environment. Professionals such as certified school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers provide these services.

 

Community Involvement

Community groups, organizations, and local businesses create partnerships with schools, share resources, and volunteer to support student learning, development, and health-related activities. The school, its students, and their families benefit when leaders and staff at the district or school solicits and coordinates information, resources, and services available from community-based organizations, businesses, cultural and civic organizations, social service agencies, faith-based organizations, health clinics, colleges and universities, and other community groups. Schools, students, and their families can contribute to the community through service-learning opportunities and by sharing school facilities with community members (e.g., school-based community health centers and fitness facilities).

 

Family Engagement

Families and school staff work together to support and improve the learning, development, and health of students. Family engagement with schools is a shared responsibility of both school staff and families. School staff are committed to making families feel welcomed, engaging families in a variety of meaningful ways, and sustaining family engagement. Families are committed to actively supporting their child’s learning and development. This relationship between school staff and families cuts across and reinforces student health and learning in multiple settings—at home, in school, in out-of-school programs, and in the community. Family engagement should be continuous across a child’s life and requires an ongoing commitment as children mature into young adulthood.

 

Physical Education and Physical Activity

Physical education is a school-based instructional opportunity for students to gain the necessary skills and knowledge for lifelong healthy habits. Physical education is characterized by a planned, sequential K-12 curriculum that provides cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of activity areas. Quality physical education programs assist students in achieving the national standards for K-12 physical education. 

The outcome of a quality physical education program is a physically educated person who has the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. Arkansas requires that all physical education teachers be qualified and trained professionals so as to properly teach healthy exercise habits to the students. A good resource for physical education is the Arkansas Department of Education, which provides curriculums and links for parents, students, and teachers alike to many helpful sites and programs.

There have been numerous acts and standards created by the state of Arkansas in order to stimulate health and physical wellbeing in schools.  The goal of this is to ensure healthy habits in the students and thus leading to a healthy community. One of the most recent standards updated in 2016 is the Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing Nutrition and Physical Activity Standards and Body Mass Index for Age Assessment Protocols on Arkansas Public Schools. These standards are founded upon past physical education and health acts, utilize the Body Mass Index as a data gathering resource, and provide explicit information pertaining to healthy eating and exercise.

Rubeolla (Measles)

Flu (Influenza)

Coordinated School Health

Whole School, Whole Community, and Whole Child

Over the past few years, Arkansas has emerged as a leader in implementing Coordinated School Health programs. Across the state Coordinated School Health is growing and districts are building school level health teams. With the help of ACT 1220 of 2003, community support imagedistrict wellness committees are required to assess at the building and district level utilizing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's School Health Index. The School Health Index results are used to implement the Wellness Priority within their Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (ACSIP).

Establishing healthy behaviors during childhood is easier and more effective than trying to change unhealthy behaviors during adulthood. Schools play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young people and helping them establish lifelong healthy behavior patterns. Research shows a link between the health outcomes of young people and their academic success. To have the most positive impact on the health outcomes of young people, government agencies, community organizations, schools, and other community members must work together through a collaborative and comprehensive approach.

The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model expands on the eight elements of CDC’s coordinated school health approach and is combined with the whole child framework, which is an effort to transition from a focus on narrowly defined academic achievement to one that promotes the long-term development and success of all children.

You can review data regarding the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and School Health Profiles for Arkansas students by clicking here.

Resources
School Health Annual Report 2019

School Nurses

Download the Arkansas State Board of Nursing School Nurse Roles & Responsibilities Practice Guidelines here.

Screenings in Schools

Vision

Hearing

Scoliosis

Height and Weight Measurement (BMI)

School Nurse Survey

Act 935 of 2015 requires all districts to complete and submit the School Nurse Survey. This survey is in two parts. This data will also provide you the information that Act 935 requires you to report to your school board.

Special Health Care Needs Module for Special Education

This module is part of the Core Curriculum for Special Education Paraprofessionals. At least one Registered Nurse (RN) from each school district should receive Facilitator Training from the Community Health Nurse Specialist in the Educational Cooperative serving your school district. Once the RN has completed this training, then they are able to provide the Special Health Care Needs training for their district's special education paraprofessionals.

The Paraprofessional Training PowerPoint is to be presented in its entirety. Then the RN will be able to provide student-specific training of the procedures specific to the school's student population.

Asthma Resources

Child Health Advisory Committee

ACT 1220 of 2003 created the Child Health Advisory Committee to address childhood obesity and develop statewide nutrition and physical activity standards. The Committee meets monthly and will make policy recommendations to the State Board of Education and the State Board of Health.

Major tasks mandated by the Act include:

The Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Education in partnership with the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) are developing a statewide plan to assist schools in the implementation and reporting of the Body Mass Index to parents.

Committee Information

Minutes
12.19.19
11.21.19
10.14.19
09.19.19
08.15.19
07.18.19
05.16.19
04.18.19
03.21.19
02.21.19

Meeting Dates & Times

Guide for Schools, Parents, and Communities

This guide provides information and guidance in developing a local school Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Committee. Included is a membership grid, sample invitation letter and sample agenda. Names and contact information of local resources who can assist in developing the local committees are included. State and National resource links are also listed in the guide. These resources provide information on obesity, nutrition, physical activity, and children's health.

Downloads
ACT 1220 of 2003
ACT 719 of 2007
BMI Toolkit for Nurses
CHAC Bylaws
CHAC Committee Members' and Staff Contact Information
Maximum Portion Size List
Wellness Workbook 2017
2018 Recommendations
2010 Recommendations

School-Based Health Centers

Vision: Arkansas students will have quality, integrated school health services that improve health, optimize academic achievement and enhance well-being, allowing all students to reach their full potential. 

School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) provide basic physical, mental, dental or other services as needed. The health center provides services beyond the scope of the school nurse practice and is not intended to replace the school nurse. The school-based health center is required to maintain a working relationship with the physician of a child's medical home, to ensure that individual patient health plans are executed effectively and efficiently. Students can apply for ARKids and local resources connected to the health center for students and family convenience. The intent is for the center to act as a resource center for wellness and prevention. Typical characteristics of a SBHC are as follows:

(courtesy of National Assembly on School-Based Health Care)

Arkansas' School-Based Health Center Grant Funding

The Arkansas School-Based Health Center Grant is a competitive application process made possible and supported by Arkansas' Governor Mike Beebe and the Arkansas Tobacco Excise Tax created by Arkansas Act 180 of 2009. The funds are to be used to promote health, wellness, and academic achievement in Arkansas' public schools. The program is a collaboration of the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) and the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).

Eligible Applicants

All Arkansas public and charter schools are eligible to apply, unless the district is a current school-based health center funding recipient. Only one school-based health center per district may be funded by the ADE during a five year funding cycle.

Grant/Award Guidelines

Applicants intending to create a new health center on school campuses may apply for up to $150,000. The SBHC grant recipients will receive an annual distribution of funds for a five year period, with decreasing amounts each year.  Annual renewal is based on a review of annual progress and appropriation of Tobacco Excise Tax funding.

Applicants should carefully read the guidelines for the grant. Grantees must adhere to the SBHC grant guidelines, the ARSBHC standards  and the Arkansas School Based Mental Health manual.  See the National Center for Educational Facilities at http://www.ncef.org/content/school-health-centers for facility guidance.

Prerequisite of Funding

A full-time equivalent registered nurse employed by the school district (school nurse)

 The Arkansas School-Based Health Center Grant request for proposals is released by ADE via Commissioners’ Memo each January if funds are available.

 

For more information, please contact:

Arkansas Department of Health, School Health Services
501-280-4061

Arkansas Department of Education, School Health Services
501-683-3604

Family Planning Resources

Resources and Helpful Links for Teens and Young Adults

WIC Eligibility

Pregnancy

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

What is the Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program?

The Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (AR PDMP) is an electronic database of all the controlled prescriptions dispensed at Arkansas pharmacies, mail order pharmacies delivered into Arkansas, and other dispensaries such at a veterinary or medical clinics. Pharmacies are required to report the dispensation of a controlled prescription next business day, while veterinary clinics are required to report every 30 days. A controlled substance is a substance that is scheduled II – V on the Arkansas list of controlled substances. Examples of medications on the controlled substance list are hydrocodone, morphine, alprazolam, zolpidem and methylphenidate.


What is the purpose of the Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program?

The purpose of the AR PDMP is to:

  1. enhance patient care by providing prescription monitoring information that will ensure legitimate use of controlled substances in health care, including palliative care, research, and other medical pharmacological uses;
  2. help to curtail the misuse and abuse of controlled substances;
  3. assist in combating illegal trade in and diversion of controlled substances; and
  4. enable access to prescription information by practitioners, law enforcement agents, and other authorized individuals and agencies.


Who has access to the Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program?

Per law, the Arkansas Department of Health grants assess of the AR PDMP database to authorized users such at prescribers (physician, nurse practitioner, dentist, etc.), pharmacists, delegates of prescribers/pharmacists, professional licensing boards, and certified law enforcement prescription drug diversion investigators.


Rules/Laws

Per Act 820 of the 2017 Arkansas legislature, ADH is required to post prescribing criteria to the website. Additionally, various licensing boards were required to promulgate rules limiting the amount of Schedule II narcotics that may be prescribed and dispensed by licensees of each applicable board. The boards required to promulgate such rules include: Arkansas State Medical Board, Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners, Arkansas State Board of Nursing, Arkansas State Board of Optometry, Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, and the Veterinary Medical Examining Board. The Director of the Department of Health, upon consultation of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Advisory Committee, decided to post each boards’ promulgated rules as applicable prescribing criteria for the state. They are linked as follows:

To view Rules, click here.

 

Users & Dispensers

Users

Dispensers

 

Reports

Annual Reports: 
2018
2017
2016
2015
Quarterly Reports
July - September 2019
April - June 2019
January - March 2019
October - December 2018
July - September 2018
April -  June 2018
January - March 2018
October - December 2017
July - September 2017
April - June 2017
January - March 2017
October - December 2016
July - September 2016
April - June 2016
January - March 2016
County Maps
2017 County Map Data
2016 County Map Data
2015 County Map Data
2014 County Map Data
2017 County Tables
2017 Benzodiazepine Data
2017 Opiate Data
2017 Stimulant Data
Mortality Reports
2000 - 2016
Other Reports
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Hospitalization Data: 2014

 

Forms

 

Resources

 

Office Address Phone Fax
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) 4815 W. Markham St. - Slot 10
Little Rock, AR 72205		 501-683-3960 501-682-0427

Milk Program

Milk Program

The Milk Program of the Arkansas Department of Health conducts monthly inspections of dairy farms, milk plants, single service plants and ice cream plants.  There are various permits issued annually as well as sampling and lab analysis (bacteriological) for milk, and aflatoxin content.  This program also provides technical training for field staff and the industry.

 

Educational Information

Publications

Rules, Regulations, and Laws

Downloads

Contact

**Please provide contact information in your e-mail response to our Office

Office Address Phone Fax
Environmental Health 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 46
Little Rock, AR 72205		 501-661-2171 501-661-2572

 

 

Milk and Water Testing

Milk Laboratory

The Arkansas Department of Health is authorized by state law to certify/approve industry milk laboratories and analysts for drug residue testing. The industry laboratories must follow state and FDA guidelines for drug residue testing.

For details about the milk industry laboratory certification/approval process contact the state Laboratory Evaluation Officer at 501 661-2049 or adh.lab@arkansas.gov.

 

Water Testing

Most of the testing done in the Water Microbiology Laboratory is for regulated public water supplies. The laboratory is certified by the EPA which is required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Water Microbiology Laboratory must use the standards specified in the Act. The Safe Drinking Water Act also outlines the standards for the bacterial quality of public drinking water. The Water Microbiology Laboratory at ADH tests for total coliform bacteria and E. coli, which are the indicator organisms for bacterial contamination specified in the Safe Drinking Water Act. In addition, the ADH offers laboratory certification in microbiology for public water utility laboratories that meet state and Environmental Protection Agency criteria for laboratory certification. For more information contact the Water Microbiology Laboratory at ADH at 501-661-2218 or e-mail adh.lab@arkansas.gov.

An additional function of the water Microbiology Laboratory is to provide water testing for private individuals. Since private water sources are not regulated the same as public water systems, we hope that the information provided will be of help to citizen who rely on private sources for their drinking water.

Additional information may be found at safewater@arkansas.gov.

 

Private/Well Water Testing

The laboratory also tests private drinking water samples. However, since private water sources are not regulated, there are no standards for the bacterial quality of these samples. Private citizens can only submit samples from their wells, springs, cisterns, etc. to be tested for total coliforms and E. coli, which are indicators of bacterial contamination in drinking water. Samples will not be tested for minerals, parasites, or chemicals. For these tests consult a private laboratory. If you have a public health concern (such as an illness), consult your county environmental specialist or the ADH division of engineering for assistance.

Water samples must be collected in an official ADH sample container. The sample bottle will have a white tablet or powder inside the sample bottle. This tablet is a chemical called sodium thiosulfate, which is necessary for the testing process. The tablet should not be removed from the sample bottle. In addition, the bottle should not be rinsed or wiped out.  Once the sample is collected it must be received in time to analyze it within 30 hours of collection. The Specimen Receiving Laboratory accepts samples M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the back door of the laboratory. This is the entrance off Palm Street labeled the “Sample Receiving Dock.” The tests done at the Public Health Laboratory help determine the safety of drinking water for human consumption. The lab does not evaluate water ponds or other bodies of water to determine if the water is safe for fish or livestock to drink or for any other purpose.

The most common reason that individuals get their private drinking water sources tested is mortgage companies often require “safe” drinking water results before closing on a home mortgage. Most mortgage companies require that testing be done in an EPA-certified laboratory. We have no EPA-certified private laboratories in Arkansas, so the testing must be done at the Water Microbiology Laboratory in Little Rock or at one of the certified municipal laboratories that provides the service.  Instructions for submitting a water sample may be found here. ( Link to submitting a water sample document)  If a completed form does not accompany the sample, another sample with a completed sample collection report will have to be submitted. The original sample must be rejected. Without a completed sample collection report, we do not have the information needed to analyze the sample.  A credit will be issued in the form of a credit letter and a new sample bottle to use to collect a new sample.

Testing of samples requires a 24 hours incubation period. Consult your public water utility or the ADH Division of Engineering if you get a report of “unsafe” on your sample.

CLIPS

Public Health Lab FAQs

If I have a concern about the clinical laboratory operations and would like to lodge a complaint who do I contact?  (Examples of laboratory operations include: quality of testing, unlabeled specimens, unethical practices; e.g., record falsification, proficiency testing cheating, confidentiality of patient information.)

Call Customer Service for the Public Health Laboratory at 501-661-2363.

 

If I feel that my complaint was not resolved what else can I do?

You may file a complaint with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  To get information on how to file a complaint, a brochure is available on the CMS web site that gives this information. The brochure can be found here:

Rabies Laboratory Services

Rabies Laboratory

Additional information about rabies can be found at the ADH Rabies Section website. 

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. People should submit an animal specimen if bitten by an animal suspected of having a rabies infection such as a raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote, bat, dog, cat or any mammal. It is rare for rodents such as mice and rabbits to be infected with the rabies virus. It is also possible that people may get rabies if infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into an open wound and in rare cases through the eyes, nose or mouth.

The Arkansas Department of Health -  Public Health Laboratory has assembled shipping containers for packaging and transporting the specimen to the rabies laboratory. These containers are available at every local Health Unit.

The laboratory only accepts the heads, or brains, of any animal except small mammals, such as bats, mice or squirrels which may be submitted whole. It is preferable to have a veterinarian or animal control officer remove the head prior to submitting the specimen. If a citizen decides to remove the head  they must use appropriate protective clothing including waterproof gloves (preferably disposable), a mask (disposable or launderable), safety glasses or goggles and coveralls and/or a waterproof apron. For larger animals, such as livestock, it is necessary to submit only the brain since transportation is too difficult with animals of this size. When submitting the brain instead of the entire head, care should be taken to ensure the brain stem is included and intact.

Remove the head of the animal without damaging the brain. Place the specimen in the large Ziploc bag provided in the shipping container and seal it shut. This bag should then be placed inside the second Ziploc bag and sealed. Chill the specimen in a refrigerator or on cold packs prior to packaging. Cold packs are provided with the shipping container, but must be frozen prior to use. It is extremely important to keep the specimen cool prior to and during shipment to retard decomposition of the specimen. Freezing the specimen is also acceptable but will delay results due to the thawing process.

For proper shipment of the specimen, place the Ziploc bag containing the  animal head/brain and at least two (2) cold packs inside the Styrofoam container that is inserted in the white plastic bucket. Replace the Styrofoam lid onto the container with the specimen and cold packs inside. More than two cold packs may be necessary for larger specimens. Fill out the Rabies Examination Form (HL-12) and place the form on top of the lid of the Styrofoam container. Do not place the form inside the Styrofoam container with the specimen. Place the plastic lid on the plastic bucket and snap it shut. This may require a hammer to ensure a complete seal. Put the plastic bucket inside the cardboard box provided and tape it shut. Also, tape an envelope with the lab address on the outside of the box. Deliver the specimen as soon as possible to your nearest local health unit for delivery to the laboratory. Alternatively, the specimen may be shipped by UPS on Monday through Thursday only or brought directly to the laboratory any day of the week at the address below.

Arkansas Department of Health
Public Health Laboratory
201 South Monroe
Little Rock, AR  72205

Face-bites to a human being from a suspected infected animal are considered emergency situations and the laboratory will test the suspected animal.  A family physician should be notified immediately as well as the ADH Public Health Veterinarian at 501-280-4136 for emergency situations.  If bitten on the face, seek help as quickly as possible. 

The Specimen Receiving Laboratory accepts samples M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the back door of the laboratory. This is the entrance off Palm Street labeled the “Sample Receiving Dock.”

If the specimen is received before 10:00 am on a given day, results should be ready by the end of the working day at 4:30 pm.  If received after 10:00 am, the specimen is tested the next working day unless the situation is an emergency.   If for some reason the test fails, the specimens will be retested the following day unless of an emergency.

The laboratory does not charge for the rabies virus test.  It is offered as a public health service to the community.   Veterinarians may charge for removal of the head and for transportation costs for submission to the rabies laboratory.  Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commision also charges to remove brain tissue from large animals and for disposal of the carcass and transportation of the specimen to the laboratory.  The laboratory is not responsible for any charges.

Results are called directly to the submitting facility by the laboratory’s administrative area or by the analyst conducting the test.  If a result is positive, an epidemiologist or physician is notified as well as anyone with an exposure to the animal, so that proper treatment can be administered to the exposed. 

Samples that are decomposed, damaged or formalinized are unsuitable for testing. Do not shoot or damage the animal head in any form.  A correctly submitted specimen must also possess the three following parts of the brain tissue of the animal:  brain stem, hippocampus and cerebellum.

Resources 

ADH Rabies Laboratory
Rabies Microbiologist 501-661-2840
Rabies Laboratory Supervisor  501-671-1429

For questions concerning treatment, care or other related topics concerning rabies, the State Public Health Veterinarian at 501-280-4136 should be contacted at the ADH.  The laboratory will answer questions only related to issues concerning laboratory testing and results.  

Massage Therapy Rules & Regulations

Downloads

Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Our office is closed on all published state holidays.

Office Address Phone Fax
Massage Therapy 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot #8
Little Rock, AR 72205		 501-683-1448 501-682-5640

 

Massage Therapy Forms

Downloads
Application for Upgrade
Continuing Education (CE) Provider Application and Request for ASBMT Course Approval/Code
Inactive Status to Active Status Request Form
Instructions and Application for Expired Licensure - Reinstatement
Instructions and Application for Licensure
Instructions and Application for License renewal
Instructions and Application for Out of State License
Massage Therapy Complaint Form
Massage Therapy Spa/Clinic Registration
Name Change/Address Change/Duplicate Request
Out of State License Verification
Out of State Military Licensure Application
Postsecondary School of Massage Therapy Application
Postsecondary School Renewal Application Form
School of Massage Therapy Application
School Renewal Application Form

Massage Therapy Technical Advisory Committee

2018 - 2021

Consideration

Interest

District 1      
Chris Lovelace Jonesboro Master Massage Therapist School Owner

 

District 2      
Lamar Anderson Little Rock Licensed Massage Instructor Licensee
Jessica Tolliver Benton Licensed Massage Therapist Licensee

 

District 3      
Alan Anderson Fort Smith Licensed Massage Instructor Licensee
Yizhen Qu Rogers Master Massage Therapist Licensee

 

District 4      
Wendy Scott Mena Master Massage Therapist Licensee
Susan Gee Hot Springs Licensed Massage Therapist Licensee

 

Meeting Schedule 2020

Regular Minutes

Public Health Accrediation Board
Arkansas Department of Health
© 2017 Arkansas Department of Health. All Rights Reserved. www.healthy.arkansas.gov
4815 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205-3867
1-800-462-0599
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