State officials have released an annual report on child fatalities. It shows about half of the deaths were preventable, with a high percentage caused by car crashes, guns and suffocation.
While there was a 5.5% decrease in accidental child deaths overall, there was an increase in both drownings and heat-related deaths.
Dr. John McGreevy, with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, discussed the report on PBS’s "Arizona Horizon."
"We have definitely seen our fair share of hot summers, of these last two in particular, but, you know, there are some things regarding supervision that would really help make a difference — whether that’s changing your routine, or whether that’s not hiking on a hot day," McGreevy said.
The number of Arizona children who died from diseases preventable by vaccines also increased.
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Arizona has now confirmed 223 measles cases since the current outbreak began, but officials say that is likely an undercount. -
On Monday, federal health officials dropped several vaccines from the list that’s broadly recommended for all kids. Vaccine rates in Arizona are already falling, but it’s unlikely these updates will change how doctors approach vaccinations. -
Will Humble joined The Show to talk about recent changes to vaccine guidance and what might be on the horizon. -
The FDA plans to add a “black-box warning” to COVID-19 vaccines — that’s the strongest warning the agency can issue. But Will Humble, the Arizona Public Health Association president, says the move isn’t as alarming as it sounds. -
A Republican state lawmaker is calling for Arizona to roll back guidance for hepatitis B vaccines, following controversial changes at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
