{"id":8419,"date":"2023-09-08T10:23:46","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T17:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nau.edu\/center-health-equity-research\/?p=8419"},"modified":"2024-06-27T10:50:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T17:50:52","slug":"narbha-institute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/center-community-health-engaged-research\/blog\/narbha-institute\/","title":{"rendered":"The NARBHA Institute: Creating \u2018livable communities\u2019 in northern Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Community collaboration and health equity research are keys to The NARBHA Institute\u2019s effective programs<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How do you create healthy, livable communities? <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you follow The NARBHA Institute\u2019s successful formula, you start by bringing together strong, innovative organizations already making a difference for good in communities and offer them targeted health equity research they can use to build essential and effective programs.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Exterior<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The NARBHA Institute<\/a>\u2013\u2013a trailblazer in research, treatment and services for their community\u2019s physical and behavioral health needs in all facets of health equity\u2013\u2013has been an important leader in advancing the wellbeing of northern Arizona communities for more than 55 years.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have been so fortunate to partner with The NARBHA Institute on a number of health equity projects over the last 10 years,\u201d <\/span>said <\/span>Regents\u2019 professor <\/span>Julie Baldwin<\/span><\/b>, NAU\u2019s Department of Health Sciences and Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER) executive director. The NARBHA Institute has provided critical leadership in our region especially around behavioral health needs.\u201d   <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, a CHER research team, led by Baldwin, is conducting an update of the Regional Health Equity Assessment for The NARBHA Institute.  On the CHER team is also <\/span>Taylor Lane<\/span><\/b>, research scientist; <\/span>Michael McCarthy<\/span><\/b>, associate professor, NAU Department of Social Work;<\/span> Mark Remiker<\/span><\/b>, senior research coordinator;<\/span> Indrakshi Roy<\/span><\/b>, assistant professor, Department of Health Sciences and CHER (now assistant professor, Indiana University), and <\/span>Juliette Roddy<\/span><\/b>, The NARBHA Institute James Wurgler MD Chair of Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the assessment results, The NARBHA Institute hopes to understand and focus their efforts on the most pressing health issues facing northern Arizona, especially those exacerbated by policy changes and crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NARBHA Institute history<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Taylor<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The NARBHA Institute began in 1967 as the Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority with a mission to conduct community programs, research, treatment and services in the mental health field. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By developing partnerships with diverse health equity organizations, The NARBHA Institute now builds foundational programs that address northern Arizona\u2019s social and health-related needs, including mental illness, poverty, chronic disease, housing, education shortfalls, employment, safety, food security and other issues that are both a cause and consequence of multiple social and environmental factors.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mary Jo Gregory<\/span><\/b>, founding director of the NARBHA Institute, president and chief executive officer said, \u201cThe NARBHA Institute strives to be an influence in integrated wellness, livable communities and translational research and CHER has been a partner by aligning with us to inspire hope, energize coalitions and amplify diverse voices.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partnering with CHER for health equity research<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Their results gave The NARBHA Institute data to pinpoint challenges and disparities in northern Arizona, and it guides and informs the priorities of their Board of Directors, the Northern Arizona Alliance for Behavioral Health Leadership Team, and their Transformational Fellows.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are most grateful to the leadership and expertise of CHER to support our organization as we explore emerging trends and innovative solutions.  We are in continuous discovery and look to catalytic engagement to inform and collaborate in meaningful wellness in the communities we serve,\u201d Gregory said.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Re-examining health equity needs in northern Arizona<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the updated study, CHER researchers are using the <\/span>social determinants of health<\/span><\/a> (SDOH) to guide the selection of assessment data sources and expand their earlier work to address new topics. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SDOH are described by the CDC as the \u201cconditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SDOH include: <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n