Jacob Moeller, Public Health Trends in Pima County

Jacob Moeller

Interviewed: Chet Rhoton, M.D., Tucson Medical Center Emergency Room Doctor
Pima County, Tucson,AZ

                I was able to speak with Chet Rhoton, M.D. of the Tucson Medical Center ER. We discussed the top five recent public health trends, specifically in children (under the age of 18).

1.       Increase in childhood/adolescent suicide (attempts or ideation). Dr. Rhoton informed me that recently there has been a spike in the number of suicide attempts, deaths, and contemplations among youth in Pima County. In his line of work he has recently come across many children who have attempted suicide, some successful. In his brief conversations with them he has seen that the main cause for these suicide attempts in children is depression onset by bullying or family problems.  While the majority of the cases are from lower-income neighborhoods, there are several from richer parts of the county.

2.       Increase in diabetes at an earlier age. In Pima County, the number of diagnosed diabetes cases has grown rather significantly. At the same time, those diagnosed have been diagnosed at earlier and earlier ages. This increase in adolescent diabetes could be a side effect of increases in childhood obesity. This is seen to be more prevalent in lower-income parts of town. This is because junk food is easily accessible and cheap for low-income families, and as a result the children eat unhealthy foods, and obesity rises, and diabetes at an early age results.

3.       Increase in date rape and date rape drug use. Dr. Rhoton said that he is seeing more and more date rape cases. He is also seeing these cases increase simultaneously with an increase in date rape drug use, such as GHB, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. While cases like this are typically in the 18-25 year old age group, the common age group in this trend has dropped to the 16-21 year old range. These cases are not pinpointed in one part of town or income range. They are not selective cases, and he sees cases from all sorts of incomes and parts of town. The recent increase in the number of these cases may be due to easier access to date rape drugs, and teens that are not careful about who they hang out with, and where they spend their time.

4.       Increases in soft tissue infections, especially MRSA. In Pima County, more and more toddlers and older children are being infected with MRSA. This is likely due to decreases in sanitation efforts in schools. MRSA is spread quickly in schools, as the children are essentially fearless of germs. Open wounds and cuts will get infected in one child, and then will easily spread in a crowded school or at recess. There are also many cases where a child is infected with MRSA in hospitals. Dr. Rhoton said that MRSA infections are becoming more prevalent in hospitals in Pima County, and they are a big concern. Many babies are infected at birth or while they stay in the hospital. Because of poor sanitary conditions in schools, and increases in infections in hospitals and staff, MRSA infections have increased in children in Pima County.

5.       Increase in opiate addiction. In Pima County, opiate addiction has always been a problem, just like any other city. However, Dr. Rhoton reports a recent  jump in the number of opiate addiction cases, and hospital visits associated with that. The addictions to drugs like heroin and morphine are also being seen in a younger age group, specifically teens. Morphine and hydrocodone addictions are the most common, especially in the teen age group. This is due to an easier accessibility to these prescription drugs. Because they are legal when they are used properly, they are easier to obtain, especially for teens, as they may find them in medicine cabinets in their house. The number of opiate addiction cases is growing quickly, and as of now it shows no signs of slowing down in Pima County.