SAFFORD — Organizations that play a role in the health and well being of Graham County citizens will come together this week to set the health priorities for the coming months.
The Graham County Health Department is hosting the Community Health Improvement Meeting Thursday, June 1, at the general services building.
The meeting will start with a review of the Graham County Community Health Assessment and then move on to three areas targeted for improvement: access to clinical care, health living and behavioral health, which includes mental health.
Participants will learn about studies in the mental health field, including the impacts on health from environmental factors such as hunger, abuse and abandonment.
“The more adverse childhood experiences you have, the more likely you were to have mental health conditions as an adult,” said Jennifer Labrum, Mental Health Program coordinator, “but also the more likely you were to have chronic physical health conditions as an adult.”
The meeting will close with development of community-wide strategies to improve the physical and mental health of the county’s residents.