Celebrating grandparents in Arizona
Jesse Sosa, Community Engagement, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona
In Arizona, nearly 60,000 children reside in households headed by grandparents or other relatives.1 While children in these families, called grandfamilies, often thrive, they are also more likely to experience challenges related to health and social needs like education and housing.
To help grandparents and grandfamilies live healthy and fulfilling lives, UnitedHealthcare hosted Celebrate Grandparents events throughout September in honor of Grandparents Appreciation Month. The events, which took place across the country, were designed to bring families together and honor the vital role that grandparents play in their grandchildren's lives. Several events also included giveaways related to social needs, like food and clothing.
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona hosted two events in Phoenix and Tucson to shine a spotlight on Arizona grandfamilies. In Tucson, the event at the El Pueblo Community Center included activities, performances, and the distribution of 150 bags of produce. In Phoenix, 350 people attended the event, which took place at the Golden Gate Community Center, and 125 bags of produce were distributed.
Both events featured performances from a baile folclórico (folk dance) group and mariachi band. Grandfamilies also took home photos in picture frames that they decorated at the event. Community partners came together to offer resources related to health care and social drivers of health (SDOH). In Phoenix, local providers gave health screenings for glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol. The events also highlighted resources like the Grandfamilies Guide to Good Health, which provides families with tips to build healthy habits and a preventive care checklist.
The Celebrate Grandparents events were an opportunity to recognize and honor grandparents, and underscored UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona’s commitment to supporting healthy families and communities. To learn more about how UnitedHealthcare celebrates and supports grandparents and their families, visit www.celebrategrandparents.com.
