Don't Become Damaged Goods

While sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) affect men and women of all backgrounds and economic levels, young people bear a disproportionate burden of STDs in Arizona. And according to the Arizona Department of Health 2011 Annual STD Report, reported chlamydia cases in Arizona have steadily increased from 2006 to 2011. This rise in chlamydia rates requires some intervention/education.

Similar to national trends, adolescents in Arizona, particularly young women, are disproportionately affected by chlamydia. Closer examination of chlamydia rates among young people ages 15 - 24 reveals extremely high values, nearly five times the rates for the state as a whole. In 2011, cases from this age group comprise 68% of all chlamydia cases in Arizona.

Because most people who become infected with chlamydia don’t realize they have it, and therefore don't seek treatment, it can cause significant health problems among women. For instance, untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can become recurrent among young women and girls often leading to expensive health complications and/or infertility.

Sexually active women in their childbearing years are most at risk, and those under age 25 are more likely to develop PID than those older than 25. This is partly because the cervix of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured, increasing their susceptibility to the STDs that are linked to PID.

So as you can see, if you're going to have sex, especially with multiple partners, it's always in your own best interests to have safe sex. Use latex condoms each and every time you have sex, and get tested at least yearly. Because the last thing you want to be called is - damaged goods.

Be A Hero, Donate Blood

Did you know that 700 blood donors are needed every day just to meet the needs of patients in the fifty-eight Arizona hospitals dependent upon United Blood Services?

In emergency situations, it’s the blood on the shelves that saves lives. Your donation could save a family member, a friend or a neighbor. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially O-negative, the universal blood that can be substituted for all other types in emergencies.

To make an appointment to donate blood, call 1-877-UBS-HERO (1-877-827-4376) toll free or search by zip code online. Find the Hero in You.. and chill out. It's not like you're getting a THORacotomy.

Arizona's "Stupid Motorist Law"

Strange day in the Valley today. Nice cool weather for a change. It would be nice to be able to open the windows and doors in order to enjoy the cooler weather, but it's also extremely windy. The air is inundated with dust and dirt.. making it a great day to contract Valley Fever though.

But, luckily it's starting to rain.. but not heavily enough to break out the big guitars to warn everyone just yet. Warn for what? Flash floods. Flash floods can occur in Arizona with no rain in sight. A storm that's miles away can produce rushing water that can quickly take you by surprise.

Every time it rains in the Valley, you can bet that they'll be a news report of some stupid driver trying to cross a flooded wash. Flash floods are a very real danger in Arizona. Some people even lose their lives because they are taken off guard by storms or rushing floodwaters. It's such a serious problem here that Arizona has created it's own "Stupid Motorist Law".

Rainy days can be dangerous, so be careful out there mmkay? But, don't just take my word for it.

INSiDE | A Short Story

Are you still sure that you want to work at the Arizona State Hospital?

You never really know what someone else is thinking. The most innocent looking person can harbor the most diabolical intentions. But, don't just take my word for it. See for yourself.


INSiDE from INSiDE Short on Vimeo.

Happy Thanksgiving

Although I live in Arizona, I'm still thankful for the vast cultural diversity found throughout the State.

Corporatocracy And Pharmacy

Before you read any further, I know what you're thinking. You think that I must be crazy or some type of conspiracy theorist. I'm just too cynical. You know that corporations don't own the politicians or control our society. The American people are in charge of our country and the politicians work for us.

You know that there's no such thing as "corporatocracy". It's just a figment of my imagination.

But nonetheless, the State of Arizona has farmed out their prison pharmacist positions earlier this year to a private company (pdf) from the State of Pennsylvania, and at a higher cost than last year.

As such, there aren't any more "cushy" state jobs, with great benefits, left for pharmacists. Those type of positions have become obsolete. Pharmacists working for the prison system are now "at will" employees whose employment is subject to the whim of those private corporate contractors.

So, wondering how privatization was working out for prison pharmacists who've been on the job for years, I decided to ask a former Arizona State DOC pharmacist about how the changes affected him personally. He didn't seem too happy about it.

Luckily though, he agreed to share a portion of his recorded exit-interview with us for posterity.

Smoke-Free Arizona Act Redux

May 31st was World No Tobacco Day. On that day in 2006, Arizona voters passed an initiative that prohibits smoking in most public places. KAET's Arizona Horizon takes a look at the impact of the Smoke-Free Arizona Act five years after it went into effect.

Guests include Bill Pfeiffer, CEO of the American Lung Association of the Southwest and Harmony Duport who is responsible for enforcing the Act for the Arizona Department of Health Services.


Source: AZPBS | Hat tip to Cole Durkee for alerting me.

Arizona Prison Healthcare

I'm one for avoiding most anything described as a "system", and I've previously shared my opinion about the subject. But, if you live in the state of Arizona, avoiding the the criminal-justice system should be paramount to anything else. It's something even Caucasians should be concerned about.

Avoiding the legal system in Arizona is of even greater importance if you happen to have a medical condition or a health concern. It's still the "Old West" when it comes to law enforcement around here. I'm sure you've probably read the multiple case reports of prisoners needlessly dying because their medical conditions weren't addressed quickly or properly.

But still, people don't believe (or forget) these types of things continue to be reported.

Remember, it's often the Warden, Sheriff or other politician in charge of directing prison healthcare, not the individual doctors, pharmacists, nurses or other healthcare professionals. Fair or not, that's just the how the "system" operates.

So, before deciding to commit that crime in Arizona, always keep in mind the possible consequences of becoming incarcerated and incorporated into the system. Do your best to avoid it.

I thought I'd post this old CCTV video taken from inside the prison hospital just to solidify my point.



Related Link: Health-care quandary for Arizona's prisons