Category: Research

Amanda Aguirre: Building at the Border to Revolutionize Rural Healthcare

Beck Thomas | August 26, 2025

Former Arizona State Senator and longtime nonprofit health leader reflects on public service, policy wins, and the collective vision that’s transforming rural health in southern Arizona through quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare options like the San Luis Medical Mall and planned San Luis Community Hospital… Read more

A digital rendering of the planned San Luis hospital.

Rooted in Community: Indigenous Student Enhancement Program Expands to San Carlos Apache Tribe

Beck Thomas | July 22, 2025

Piloted for the first time outside Navajo Nation, ISEP brings culturally grounded public health education to Apache high school students sparking new career paths, personal growth, and community dialogue… Read more

A group of students outside lined up in front of the San Carlos Apache College sign.

Connecting through music: How music intervention is changing lives in Arizona’s care centers

Heather Tate | November 25, 2024

As the automatic doors rolled open, the light sounds of wind and percussion instruments filled the open corridor surrounding the front desk at Haven Health, a skilled-nursing and rehabilitation hospital in northern Arizona… Read more

Handheld bells, wood blocks, and personal drums sitting on a table.

Off to Ole Miss: Diedre’ Goodluck’s MPH experience in toxicological science

llk73 | October 8, 2024

Mike Anastario, assistant professor in health sciences, builds capacity for mentorship into his research projects, allowing his student, Diedre’ Goodluck to assist him with lab work at the University of Mississippi. Goodluck (Diné) is a 2nd year master in public health (MPH) student approaching her education as a way to lead health equity research in her community… Read more

Goodluck and Anastario with Roper and PhD students from her laboratory: Tonia Voke Aminone, Maggie Craze, and Shayla Victoria.

The pathway from MPH to CHER

djb574 | May 1, 2024

In the world of public health, the journey from student to staff researcher often involves navigating through diverse experiences, mentorships, and opportunities. For Marissa Tutt and Chassity Begay, two students who completed the Master of Public Health – Indigenous Health (MPH–IH) emphasis at Northern Arizona University (NAU), their paths led them to the Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER), where they continue to advance health equity through their research… Read more

Marissa Tutt and Chassity Begay standing next to each other.

Welcome, Baby, Smile! NAU professor uses art to bridge Native healthcare gaps

Beck Thomas | February 21, 2024

Early childhood caries (ECC), defined as one or more decayed, missing, or filled teeth in a child under the age of six, can affect children of all populations and backgrounds. However, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) has highlighted a concerning trend: ECC are four times more prevalent among American Indian children than among white children. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need to address this disparity… Read more

An illustration of a pregnant Hopi woman in a field of corn. Illustration by Bre Taylor for the Great Beginnings for Healthy Native Smiles research project.

NAU and WSU work together to secure $3 million in NIH funding for Native elder research and researcher development

Beck Thomas |

In 1998, the Colorado School of Public Health’s Center for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, in response to NIA’s research framework, established the Native Elder Research Center to address the barriers in Native elder research… Read more

C-NACHE attends 29th Annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day

Beck Thomas |

The C-NACHE Team heads to Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day 2023. In the photo from left to right: TJ Riggs, Nicolette Teufel-Shone, Lena Fowler, Joyce Tovar, Ann Garcia, Rosemary Sullivan, Carmenlita Chief, and Jennifer Hudson… Read more

NAU’s Native cancer research center celebrates an exciting first year

Beck Thomas | February 20, 2024

A dedicated team of health equity experts, community members, and NAU faculty, staff, and students launched the initiative to new heights, raising awareness of the steps to address cancer health equity for Native American populations in Arizona… Read more

Tribal health advocates and experts discuss cancer health equity at the Annual Arizona Inter-tribal Cancer Health Equity Forum.

Incarceration and COVID-19

ld583 | July 11, 2022

The Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER), in collaboration with the Arizona Biomedical Research Centre (ABRC) and The Covid Prison Project held a Incarceration and COVID-19 workshop. This workshop was hosted by Ricky Camplain, PhD, Assistant Professor, NAU Health Sciences, Epidemiologist at the Center for Community Health and Engaged Research, and Carly Camplain, JD, health policy research… Read more