Arizona Public Health Association AZPHA

05/21/2026

We are excited to share that AZPHA Executive Director Will Humble will be speaking at the AFP Arizona Conference on June 25-26, 2026!

Will's session — Arizona 2026 Ballot Measures: What's on the Ballot, What It Means, and Why It Matters — will break down the November ballot measures through a public health lens, helping nonprofit and philanthropy leaders understand what's at stake for Arizona communities.

If you're working at the intersection of public health, policy, and community impact, this is a session you won't want to miss.

AFP Arizona brings together dynamic voices from nonprofits, public agencies, philanthropy, social enterprises, and community-based organizations — and we're proud to have Will at the table.

🗓 June 25-26, 2026 | AFP Arizona Conference
🔗 https://community.afpglobal.org/afpazgreaterarizonachapter/events/eventdescription?CalendarEventKey=8a13b8ea-485f-43ad-94ef-019b13aaa8bb&CommunityKey=ae6a99cf-76d4-4e94-88fa-eef5320ab943&Home=%2fafpazgreaterarizonachapter%2fhome

05/19/2026

Cancer screening saves lives, but not everyone has equal access to it.

Join AZPHA for our next Coffee & Conversations as Dr. Gloria Coronado, PhD — epidemiologist, cancer prevention researcher, and Associate Director for Population Sciences at the University of Arizona Cancer Center — shares what the data tells us about cancer screening trends among Arizona's Medicaid population from 2018 to 2024.

From the impact of the pandemic to updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines that lowered the recommended age to 45, this conversation will be essential for anyone working at the intersection of cancer prevention, health equity, and Medicaid policy in Arizona.

☕ Friday, June 12, 2026 | 9:00 – 10:15 AM | Online via Zoom

🔗 Register here: https://azpha.wildapricot.org/event-6692384

05/18/2026

This month, Arizona's public health community came together for AZPHA's 2026 Annual Conference — and the energy, expertise, and commitment in that room was inspiring.

This year's theme challenged us to look beyond crisis response and toward sustainable, person-centered care for Arizonans with mental and needs. From innovative strategies to evidence-based policy, the conversations we had will carry forward into the real work of strengthening Arizona's behavioral health system.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, presented, and helped make this day possible — and a special thank you to our generous sponsors whose support makes this gathering happen year after year.

And a special shoutout to our keynote, Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association, who opened with perhaps the most refreshingly straightforward disclosure we've ever heard: "I believe in science." 👏 We do too, Dr. Benjamin.

04/29/2026

This , we’re highlighting the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030)—a global, evidence‑based roadmap developed by partners including the World Health Organization to ensure everyone, everywhere, at every age can benefit from vaccines.

IA2030 outlines shared goals for strengthening immunization systems, reducing inequities, building trust, and ensuring vaccines remain an essential part of healthy, resilient communities.

As we mark World Immunization Week, AZPHA supports the use of science‑driven frameworks like IA2030 to guide policy, practice, and collaboration—so immunization continues to protect lives and advance health equity.

Explore the IA2030 Plan: https://www.immunizationagenda2030.org/

04/27/2026

💉 World Immunization Week 💉

Your decision makes a difference.

Vaccines protect individuals, families, and communities—and they remain one of public health’s most effective, evidence‑based tools for preventing disease and saving lives.

This World Immunization Week, AZPHA supports policies and practices that ensure vaccines are safe, accessible, and grounded in science, so Arizonans can make informed choices that protect their health and the health of those around them.

Public health works best when prevention is within reach for everyone.

04/21/2026

Public comment is now open on a City of Phoenix proposal that would limit or forbid humanitarian aid in city parks—a policy with important implications for health, safety, and community well‑being.

In our latest blog, AZPHA outlines what’s being proposed, why it matters from a public health perspective, and how community members can engage during the public comment process.

Access to basic services and support is closely tied to health outcomes, and public input plays a critical role in shaping policies that affect our most vulnerable neighbors.

Read the full blog and learn how to participate:

Last week I wrote about the City of Phoenix’s proposal to clamp down on humanitarian aid in public parks — things like wound care, vaccinations, and basic services that many unhoused folks need. Super basic safety net stuff. The parks department is in a full court press to get their proposal sig...

04/20/2026

AZPHA’s 2026 Annual Conference—From Crisis to Care: Improving Outcomes in Arizona’s Behavioral Health System—would not be possible without the generous support of our conference sponsors.

Thanks to our sponsors’ partnership, AZPHA is able to convene public health, behavioral health, policy, and community leaders to explore innovative, evidence‑based strategies that strengthen Arizona’s behavioral health system and move us toward sustainable, person‑centered care.

Arizona’s behavioral health system sits at the intersection of public health, Medicaid, housing, courts, and community‑based services. We are grateful to our sponsors for investing in the conversations, collaboration, and solutions that help improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities across our state.

📅 May 1, 2026
📍 Desert Willow Conference Center
🔗 Register today: https://azpha.wildapricot.org/event-6536495%20

04/10/2026

Misinformation moves fast. Are you equipped to respond?

Join AZPHA for our next Coffee & Conversations on Friday, April 24th — just in time for your morning coffee — as Dr. Greg Loeben, Ph.D., MPH, walks us through how to spot the logical fallacies and persuasive tactics behind misleading public health claims.

Rather than chasing down every false claim with counter-evidence, Dr. Loeben offers a smarter approach: building the critical awareness to recognize flawed reasoning before it spreads.

In today's information environment, this is a skill every public health professional needs.

☕ Friday, April 24, 2026 | 8:30 – 9:30 AM | Online via Zoom
🔗 AZPHA members register here: https://azpha.wildapricot.org/event-6627124

04/09/2026

Public health works — when we support it.

From preventing disease and protecting clean air and water to strengthening behavioral health systems and improving access to care, public health delivers real results for communities across Arizona.

But those results don’t happen by chance. They require sustained investment, evidence‑based policy, and trust in the people doing this work every day.

During National Public Health Week, we’re lifting up the professionals, partners, and advocates who make public health possible—and reaffirming our commitment to support the systems that keep Arizona healthy.

04/07/2026

💉 National Public Health Week 💉

Vaccines remain one of the most effective and evidence‑based tools we have to protect individual and community health.

During this legislative session, AZPHA’s Public Policy Committee is advocating for vaccine policies that are safe, accessible, and grounded in science—so Arizonans can continue to make informed decisions that protect themselves, their families, and their communities.

Strong vaccine policy supports prevention, reduces strain on our health care system, and helps keep schools, workplaces, and communities healthy.

This National Public Health Week, we’re proud to stand with public health professionals and partners working to ensure access to vaccines remains a cornerstone of a healthier Arizona.

Keep up with the latest vaccine policy updates on our blog: https://azpha.org/wills-blog/