The purpose of the Community Health Advisory Council (CHAC) is to provide guidance to academic departments in the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix in Community Health-related matters, to advocate for the health needs of the community, and to provide a forum for community engagement and feedback.  
 
The objectives of the council’s work include:

  • Create a forum for generative discussion around community (including state) health needs that could be impacted by academic departments at the College of Medicine Phoenix;
  • Provide recommendations on community health priorities, research needs, and outreach programs.
  • Serve as a liaison between the community and faculty/departments of the College of Medicine Phoenix.
  • Promote community health education and awareness.

CHAC Purpose Statement

The Community Health Advisory Council (CHAC) is a community   majority advisory body that offers, ongoing guidance to the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix (COM P) and its academic departments. Anchored within the Department of Family, Community & Preventive Medicine, CHAC ensures that education, research, clinical innovation, and outreach are responsive to actual community health needs.

The Reason Behind It
Arizona continues to experience significant gaps in access, equity, and health outcomes due to workforce shortages, social determinants of health, and misalignment between academic priorities and community needs. CHAC was established to formally incorporate community perspectives, lived experience, and partnership into institutional decision making.

Committee’s Core Work
CHAC advises on priorities, reviews initiatives from a community perspective, identifies emerging needs and produces an annual public report with recommendations that directly inform departmental and College planning.

Key Deliverables

  • Annual Community Health Advisory Report
  • Prioritized list of community and statewide health needs
  • Formal recommendations and institutional guidance
  • Feedback on programs, curricula, research, and outreach

If you want further information on this Council or you are interested in becoming a volunteer member, please email Claire Turner at @email