The Rural Arizona CHW Workforce Development Network (RAzCHOW) aims to be a sustained, diverse, driving force for the CHW workforce in Arizona to improve access to health care, health outcomes, and quality of life for rural Arizonans. The utilization of CHWs is a well-documented evidence-based practice that can improve both healthcare access and health outcomes while also reducing cost. The goal of the Network is to address health concerns and disparities in rural Arizona by championing CHWs to work toward the triple aim: (1) improve population health, (2) improve patient care quality and satisfaction, and (3) reduce costs.

Salud en Acción/Health in Action: Promoting Health & Preventive Care in Douglas, Arizona. Salud en Acción is a community-driven initiative dedicated to improving preventive health, nutrition access, and chronic disease education in Douglas, Arizona. This program empowers Community Health Workers (CHWs) to connect individuals with essential health services, focusing on cancer prevention, healthy eating, and social connectedness.

The Comiendo Fresco / Eating Fresh initiative is making exciting strides in promoting healthier lifestyles through improved access to nutritious food. This program encourages healthy eating habits by providing eligible participants with $20.00 USD per week for nine months to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. The overall goal is to help reduce the prevalence of chronic health conditions such as prediabetes, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity within our communities. In addition to supporting individual health, the program also aims to strengthen the local food economy by partnering with local growers and producers, ensuring that food assistance dollars stay within our communities and help support sustainable agriculture. We are currently in the process of recruiting local stores and markets that are interested in partnering with the program to accept the vouchers. The final voucher design has been approved, and we have begun actively sharing educational nutrition content through our social media platforms to raise awareness and engage our community. Together, we are working toward a healthier, more food-secure Arizona, one fresh bite at a time.