Publishing a new five-year Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP) this week marks an important milestone in the state of Arizona’s journey toward improved health. I’m pleased to share the plan and look forward to providing updates as we work toward its goals.
Building on the success of the first Arizona Health Improvement Plan, which covered the years 2016 through 2020, the plan for 2021 through 2025 is a collaboration with public and private leaders from across the state to articulate a vision with the details for achieving it.
This update takes a more holistic approach to addressing health and wellness in Arizona by focusing on a smaller number of priorities that underlie multiple health issues and disparities.
I can’t overstate the importance of this document. It addresses pressing health issues and identifies how organizations across Arizona will take action over the next few of years. A roadmap for tackling many of the challenges identified in the Arizona State Health Assessment, it establishes five priorities underlying multiple health issues and disparities.
The priorities include mental health well-being, health in underserved rural and urban areas, and social determinants of health.
You will notice in the chart (right) that another priority, health equity, is foundational to all of the others. That’s because it’s crucial for all Arizonans to be able to attain their full health potential.
All other priorities were developed with health equity as a lens. Drawing on our collective experience over the past 18 months, pandemic recovery and resiliency is the final priority currently in development.
Please take time to review this document and consider how you can support, and/or become involved in the efforts it details. You’re welcome to contact us with questions or if you would like to learn more about participating in the Arizona Health Improvement Plan.
