Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
Basket weaving materials on a table.
  1. Center for Health Equity Research
  2. Blog

Now is the Time: Integrating and Reimbursing CHR Services within Tribal Health and Social Systems

llk73 |

The CDC-funded CHRs WITH uS! (Community Heath Representative (CHR) Workforce Integration in Tribal Health Systems) initiative hosted a groundbreaking event on in May at Flagstaff’s High Country Conference Center. This first-of-its-kind conference, crafted by CHR leaders and allies, aimed to enhance rural and urban American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) health across Arizona… Read more
Chassity Begay of CHER networking with CHR leadership.

Improving Mental and Physical Health in Rural and Culturally Diverse Populations: Music as a Therapeutic Intervention

llk73 |

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health, with one in six youth and one in five adults in Arizona experiencing a mental health disorder each year.1 In response, a team of researchers from Northern Arizona University (NAU) engaged with clinical professionals and Indigenous musicians to initiate a pilot project to evaluate the benefits of music-based interventions (MBIs) on mental and physical health… Read more
Research Assistant Craig Yarbrough speaking to peers.

CHER’s 2024 Graduates

djb574 | May 1, 2024

Spring is a season of renewal and growth, and nowhere is this more evident than in the accomplishments of our Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) graduates. In this spotlight, we shine on these emerging scholars who are not only integral to our mission of supporting early-stage researchers but also hold immense potential to drive meaningful change in the field of health equity… Read more

The pathway from MPH to CHER

djb574 |

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 Health Equity 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

rlr349 | 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.