With an
eye toward improving health across the state of Arizona, ADHS uses a community assessment process and partner engagement to build health improvement plans. In 2015, ADHS and community organizations unveiled the first 2016-2020 Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP). The 2016-2020 AzHIP has made a great impact as more than 350 unique action items were completed to address key public health issues in Arizona. The newly published 2016-2020 AzHIP Summary compiles highlights and impacts made during the five-year life of the plan.
Today, we’re continuing to look to the future with the 2021-2025 Arizona Health Improvement Plan. The plan is built on four priorities, all of which are centered on health equity – where every person has the opportunity to attain their full health potential. Health inequities and injustices impact differences in: length of life; quality of life; rates of disease, disability, and death; severity of disease; access to treatment; and related disadvantages due to race or other social and economic circumstances.
We are now sharing the release of the Pandemic Recovery and Resiliency Plan as an additional fifth AzHIP priority. Understanding the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact all Arizonans, the plan identifies strategies to both strengthen response to current stressors and wide-ranging impacts of COVID-19 as well as for future impacts we may face. This plan addresses public health and health systems infrastructure and supports local partners to mobilize communities for improved health and resilience of Arizona children and adults.
A foundation to building the AzHIP is an assessment of the current health of our communities, the State Health Assessment (SHA). Each year, the SHA is updated with data related to a broad range of factors that impact health. The SHA provides Arizona’s public health and health care systems a tool to help inform decision-making and resource allocation. The 2021 SHA Update is also now available and continues to be enhanced with new data sources. This year, the update includes breastfeeding, dental care, and postpartum care indicators from the Arizona Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a project aimed at improving infant health outcomes.
The work of our AzHIP could not be possible without the numerous partners who contribute to the plan and especially those who have taken action across the state to support the various strategies. We invite you to watch for updates on the ADHS webpage and sign up to stay connected to learn about AzHIP implementation progress.
