DHHS News

Utah Confirms First Rabid Bat of the Season

(Salt Lake City, UT) – Utah public health officials have confirmed the first case this year of a bat that tested positive for rabies. This is a reminder to the...
Last updated: June 17, 2021

UDOH names new state epidemiologist

(Salt Lake City) – The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) today announced the appointment of Dr. Leisha Nolen as the agency’s state epidemiologist. Dr. Nolen joins the UDOH from the Centers...
Last updated: June 3, 2021

Media contacts

For media inquiries, contact our on-call Public Information Officers (PIO) at:

Joe Dougherty, director of communications

News releases and media statements

Spanish news releases and media statements

We strive to provide all news releases and media statements in Spanish. Our language access team can provide translation services by contacting them at languageaccess.utah.gov.  

Our graphic and writing standards

Our agency name is the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Use DHHS if an acronym is needed. 

  • DHHS graphic standards—This guide outlines how to use our logo, colors, fonts, and imagery in printed and electronic media. 
  • DHHS logos 
  • DHHS writing style guide—This guide creates clear and consistent language and tone across all written products, both internal and external to our agency.

Media guides and safe messaging

How we talk about suicide, mental health, and traumatic events matters. When we follow safe messaging guidelines, we contribute to a hopeful narrative about triumph over adversity. We communicate that support is available. Safe messaging promotes resiliency, encourages help-seeking, publicizes prevention successes, and encourages actions to help prevent suicide. 

When writing about suicide, mental health, or traumatic events follow safe messaging guidelines. Here are some of our favorite resources.