The Arizona Health Disparities Center (AHDC) serves as Arizona’s central source of information and resources related to minority health and health disparities. The Center provides leadership by building networks and community capacity to reduce health disparities. Health disparities are avoidable differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of disease within specific population groups.

In 1993, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) established a liaison position to address minority health issues in Arizona. It intended to act as a link between the community and ADHS in the development and implementation of programs, services and policies with particular regard to cultural awareness. However, this position was never a full-time funded position and eventually lost its alternative sources of funding. The Center for Minority Health (CMH) was re-established in February 2004 within the Office of Health Systems Development (OHSD) to coordinate statewide efforts and implement work activities specific to minority health. In September 2006, CMH changed its name to the Arizona Health Disparities Center. Currently, AHDC has 3 staff members: Zipatly Mendoza (Office Chief), Jana Granillo (Community Liaison) and Hong Chartrand (Resource Liaison).

What we do

AHDC provides leadership by building networks and community capacity to promote health and wellness for all people in Arizona. Its areas of focus are strategic planning and policy promotion, community technical assistance, Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) training, resource brokering and partner consultation.

AHDC’s strategic priorities are:

• Emerge as a visible, trusted, reliable Resource Center and point-of-contact for minority communities and other stakeholders
• Bring a minority health focus to the programs and policies of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) by serving as the resource within ADHS for improved planning and coordination of activities and programs
• Improve minority health surveillance by developing systematic and consistent data collection and analysis
• Partner with other entities dedicated to addressing minority health issues and work to improve access to health services
• Identify and develop outreach strategies tailored to the needs of minority communities
• Increase the capacity and diversity of the healthcare workforce
• Increase the capacity of minority communities in the state for health promotion and disease prevention
• Encourage and promote the use of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards by health care providers and human services agencies

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