Advancing Health Equity, Addressing Disparities (AHEAD AZ) was a University of Arizona Center for Rural Health program funded through the AZ Department of Health Services (ADHS) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Initiative to address COVID-19 health disparities among populations at high risk for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.
In collaboration with community partners across the state, the work of AHEAD AZ promotes community resilience focusing on the following areas:
- Community education and engagement
- Public health and healthcare workforce well-being and resilience, support, training, and education
- COVID-19 vaccination and recovery
AHEAD Community Partners
American Indian Area Health Education Center
American Indian Health Workforce Development
Arizona Library Association
Public Health Champions Community Component
Central Arizona Area Health Education Center
Fast-track Online Medical Office Specialist Pilot Program and Safe Zone Workshops
Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
Advance Care Planning
Colorado Plateau Center for Health Professionals
Safety Net Health worker Resiliency Program
Hospital Commitment to Health Equity
Arizona Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) Strategic Plan Assessment: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Measure
Mobile Outreach Vaccination Education for Underserved Population MOVE UP
The U of A Primary Prevention Mobile Health Unit (MHU)
AHEAD Public Health Fundamentals Training
Public Health Fundamentals Training
Southern Arizona Area Health Education Center
Cochise Community College Medical Assistant Program
Building Collaborative Networks
Workforce Support and Training
AHEAD supports public health related programs in the process of building a strong workforce that can continue to improve the health and well-being of rural communities across Arizona. The training module prepares public health professionals to understand/review conceptual foundations and develop practical skills on the following learning topics:
- Introduction to Public Health
- Elements of a Healthy Community
- Cultural Humility
- Health Boundaries, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA)
- Trauma Informed Care
- Crisis Intervention
- Introduction to the Role of Health Navigator
Free Resources and Training
AHEAD Features
Arizona Librarians Enhancing Resilient Rural Communities
The Arizona Librarians Enhancing Resilient Rural Communities initiative seeks to collaborate with rural libraries in efforts that further promote local resilience, address inequities, and build community cohesion through capacity-building and training.
AHEAD Available Resources
Stay Safe and Healthy this Season
Folder including 12 informational sheets available in English and Spanish.
This kit includes valuable tools to keep you and your family safe and healthy during this season.
Ready Wrigley Prepares for Flu Season
Published by the CDC, Coloring and activity book aimed at young children, available in English and Spanish.
CHoR Defenders
Coloring and Activity book aimed at young children about COVID-19. Bulished by Children's Hospital of Richmond. Available in English and Spanish
Stand up to Stress
Coloring activity book aimed at school age children about mental health and wellness. Available in English and Spanish. Published by the National Institute of Mental Health.
Seasonal Recipe for Health
A bilingual seasonal recipe card for health and wellness.
Purpose Engagement Socialization Self-Care placemat
Aimed at older adults this placemat includes everyday topics and activities that challenges the brain and heart.
Self-Care Practice
Opioid Overdose Prevention
How to give naloxone (nasal)
Workforce trainings
Navigator Training in Pima County
The AHEAD team and Pima County Health Department are developing a navigator model to facilitate the work of community health workers/representatives (CHW/CHR) and health coaches in Pima county.
This model will build navigator capacity through the development of two key resources:
- Comprehensive toolkit of social and health services in Pima County classified by zip code and district.
- Navigator training to include topics such as Understanding Social Determinants of Health, Motivational Interviewing, Building Community Resilience and others!
» Contact Torresm1@arizona.edu for more information on the Navigator training.
Supporting our Public Health and Healthcare Partners
Recognizing the plethora of infographics, tools and tips that are available on the web and the lack of time our public health leaders may have in sifting through this information, the AHEAD team continuously reviews resources and distills information that our partners may find useful. » See the Resources tab below.
Youth Public Health Champions Program:
This program will engage youth in a public health training module in partnership with existing youth summer programs. Youth will learn about basic public health interventions and appreciate the enormous, vital role public health has played in combating the effects of COVID-19 and its spread.
The AHEAD team hosts a podcast series to highlight the innovative work being done in the state of Arizona by its own residents.
What is the hidden impact of COVID-19 in communities across the region and how are people helping to empower their own neighbors? The AHEAD team speaks with subject matter experts, researchers, and community leaders to explore the narratives behind the good work being done to combat the global pandemic in our backyard.
Schedule of Podcast Guests:
- Pediatrics and the Pandemic: An interview with Dr. Conrad Clemens on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Arizona's children. (Feb. 9. 2023)
- Introduction: Conversation with the Children's Action Alliance Join us as we tackle policy and health issues impacting families in the state of Arizona.
The AHEAD program partnered with local public health and healthcare agencies in rural Arizona to support COVID-19 response and recovery activities. Our work ranges from addressing the needs of our partners by connecting them with other agencies and resources, to developing and implementing education, outreach and communication materials to support the front lines.
Below are some of our partners who we collaborate with to achieve our mission:
- ADHS - Arizona Department of Health Services
- MOVEUP - Mobile Outreach Vaccination & Education
- AzHHA - Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
- AZHEALTHTXT
- Pima County Health Department
- CEAL - Community Engagement Alliance
- The ARC of Arizona
AHEAD Team
Mona Arora, PhD, MSPH
Assistant Research Professor
Program Manager, AHEAD AZ
manand@arizona.edu
Jennifer Peters
Manager, State Office of Rural Health Program
Program Advisor, AHEAD AZ
petersjs@arizona.edu
