Arizona state physical activity and nutrition (AZSPAN) - CDC-RFA-DP-23-0012: state physical activity and nutrition program- project abstract summary arizona has a rich and diverse culture, with unique…

Arizona state physical activity and nutrition (AZSPAN) - CDC-RFA-DP-23-0012: state physical activity and nutrition program- project abstract summary arizona has a rich and diverse culture, with unique communities, populations and geography. From urban centers like phoenix and tucson to rural communities like the hualapai tribe at the bottom of the grand canyon, from the united states/mexico border region to tribal lands, the health of arizona's residents is a priority for the arizona department of health services (AZDHS). The AZDHS is a state government entity with over 1,500 employees and is accredited by the public health accreditation board (PHAB). Located at 150 N. 18TH avenue, phoenix, arizona, 85007, the AZDHS will implement span activities throughout the state of arizona and in the geographic area of focus in yuma county, arizona. Chronic diseases and their associated risk factors disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups across the U.S., and arizona is not exempt from these challenges. People of hispanic or latino origin in arizona experience income and health inequities, including higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Additionally, the need for trauma-informed approaches to statewide nutrition, physical activity and breastfeeding programs is at an all-time high, as americans emerge from the covid-19 pandemic and the 2022 infant formula shortage. This project provides AZDHS with an opportunity to address nutrition and physical activity factors beyond individual behaviors and impact systems' change to reduce these disparities. With support from the CDC_RFA-DP-23-0012, the AZDHS bureau of nutrition and physical activity (BNPA), office of community innovations (OCI), will implement a five-year (approximately $1,175,000 annually) arizona state physical activity and nutrition program (AZSPAN). AZSPAN will expand the reach of AZDHS's trauma-informed approaches to nutrition and physical activity to shape policies, systems, and environments that support positive behavior change and reduce health disparities. This work aligns with the arizona health improvement plan pandemic recovery and resiliency where nutrition and physical activity strategies are being led by members of the AZSPAN team. AZSPAN activities will leverage established partnerships and successful local, evidence-based initiatives to document processes and promote expansion and replication to other counties. This includes replication of produce prescription programs, expansion of the produce incentive program (double up food bucks) to the five counties not being reached by the program, creation of a community-driven park RX toolkit, implementation of smart growth strategies, and the establishment of a 4TH trimester village and breastfeeding support group in yuma county. Activities will also include statewide training and technical assistance related to nutrition service guidelines, physical activity, and maternal health and lactation support services to employers through the healthy arizona worksites program. Statewide activities in the early childhood education setting will focus on revised written policies and procedures for the empower program, increased utilization of go napsacc with an emphasis on farm 2 ECE, and implementation and adaptation of the state-specific nutrition policy alignment toolkit for ECE facilities. AZSPAN team members and partners have expertise in nutrition, active living strategies, breastfeeding, and early care and education, and are skilled at using community-centered, trauma-informed approaches to policy, system and environmental changes. AZDHS is well-positioned to quickly implement project activities to improve nutrition, increase equitable access to safe physical activity, increase breastfeeding and support health in early care and education programs for all arizonans.