Mobile Health Program

1533 E Mabel St
Tucson, AZ 85719

Director: (520) 626-0178
Nurse Practitioner: (520) 626-4363
Program Coordinator: (520) 626-0293
Program Cell: (520) 349-6594
Fax: (520) 626-9086

Mobile Health Program Overview

Established in 1976, the Mobile Health Program (MHP) began its extraordinary history at the University of Arizona (UA) where it has successfully reduced health disparities using a replicable and multifaceted approach. The mission of the MHP at the Department of Family and Community Medicine, UA College of Medicine is to empower underserved communities to develop sustainable systems that increase access to health promotion, disease prevention, and health care services. Its holistic approach is accomplished through direct interaction and partnership with the community by program staff, Community Health Workers, Interns, Pre-med, Medical Students and Family Medicine Residents. Working together with multiple community-based partners, these create a safety net for approximately 1,600 people reached annually, including 700 new contacts and 300 existing clients with Pima County Health Department funding awards, as well as, approximately 650 more new community member contacts made through a diabetes education and retinal screening project with funding awarded by the Arizona Department of Health Services. This program uses state-of-the-art technology, including telemedicine to provide blindness prevention services to uninsured people with diabetes. The MHP also provides wellness services for special communities and neighborhoods for the City of Tucson. Since 2003, 160 women have received prenatal care for the whole family in a special Group Prenatal Care project funded by Maternal Child Health Block Grants. The Community Health Worker (CHW)/Promotora training program established in 1994 involves people from the community who are trained as lay health workers. They increase the community’s health and wellbeing through advocacy; information and referrals; and teach the community how to navigate the health and human services infrastructure. Through education and training, health promotion and disease prevention, and community development efforts, the MHP addresses the following health services:
•    To inform, educate, and empower people about health issues;
•    To develop policies and procedures that support individual and community health efforts;
•    To link people to needed personal health services, and
•    To assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.

Education and Training: The MHP provides an opportunity for health professions students and health professionals to learn about at-risk communities, health disparities within hard to reach communities, and the nuances of health and wellness within the community’s cultural context. Educational institutions that utilize the MHP include:
o    UA College of Public Health: Community Health Education Internship Program and the Masters in Public Health Program
o    College of Medicine: Commitment to Underserved Populations (CUP), Program in Integrative Medicine, and Family Medicine Residency Program
o    Telemedicine Program
o    College of Nursing: The Rural Family Nurse Practitioner Program
o    Northern Arizona University: Family Nurse Practitioner Program
o    Pima Community College: Social Services Department and Dental Hygiene Program
o    Arizona State University Social and Behavioral Sciences

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Health promotion is conducted by program staff, interns, pre-med and medical students, residents and guest professionals. This occurs through group and one-on-one encounters. The Family Nurse Practitioner provides direct services, disease prevention strategies and health education in collaboration with staff, College of Medicine Residency program and community collaborators. Referrals to community agencies and a health home are included.

Community Development: Community needs and assets are assessed when working with the community to make effective changes related to health and human services that reduce disparities.

Staffing: The MHP has two promotoras, a Family Nurse Practitioner, Program Coordinator, Instruction Specialist, Sr./ Director, and Driver/Field Assistant.

Funding: This program is being funded through grants, contracts and donations.