Arizona
Arizona is known for its reliably sunny weather and is a favorite destination for visitors flocking to see the majestic Grand Canyon. But away from the sunshine, the state bears a darker burden of having the fourth highest childhood obesity rate in the country.
Additionally, the significant racial and ethnic disparities that exist in obesity prevalence among U.S. children are pronounced in Arizona’s diverse communities. Of its 6.7 million residents, nearly 1 in 3 are Hispanic or Latino* and Arizona is one of three states that comprise the Navajo Nation, home to thousands of Native American youth.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, thanks to support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is working with communities throughout the state to make it easier for kids to lead healthier lives.
Our Work in Arizona
In Arizona, we’re making it easier for kids to develop healthy habits.
Over 770 schools serving nearly 500,000 students across the state have joined Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, creating healthier school environments for children to thrive. Since 2007, 62 Arizona schools have been recognized with National Healthy Schools Awards for their outstanding efforts. We’ve worked with 24 Arizona schools in Navajo Nation and in 2014, Monument Valley High School became the first school on a Native American reservation to be recognized with our National Healthy Schools Bronze Award.
Healthier Generation enlists the help of regional and local partners to create healthier schools. These partners, such as the Arizona Department of Health Services and Health Corps, receive specialized professional development training from Healthier Generation staff and gain access to Healthier Generation’s customized tools, resources and data that empower them to guide schools to improve physical activity and nutrition policies and practices.
In Arizona, we’ve also made it easier for more than 15,800 youth in 134 out-of-school time programs to eat right and move more.
Success Stories
Hear from school champions from just three of the many schools and districts we work with in Arizona: Chandler Unified School District, enrolled with the Healthy Schools Program since 2011; the Eisenhower Center for Innovation, enrolled since 2013; and the Balsz School District, enrolled since 2010.
Contact us and make your contribution to children's health in Arizona.
Soudary Kittivong-Greenbaum
[email protected]