Carin Watts

Carin Watts, MPH serves as the Population Health Program Administrator for the Bureau of Chronic Disease and Health Promotion at the Arizona Department of Health Services. In her role she is responsible for leadership and collaboration across the spectrum of prevention framework, leading the development and implementation of a Healthy Aging model for the State of Arizona. Including efforts that address chronic diseases, promote brain health and focus on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia risk reduction. She manages programs and projects that promote healthy aging and brain health to improve mental and physical health, quality of life and independence for Arizona's older adult population. While emphasizing upstream factors to prevent or slow the progression of cognitive decline and/or dementia onset. Carin provides administrative oversight for the department’s Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke and Health Disparities programs, incorporating modifiable risk reduction approaches and ensuring alignment of messaging in chronic disease program activities. In addition, she partners with statewide and county partners on initiatives to build awareness around falls prevention strategies and independent living among older adults. Carin earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Public Health, focusing on public health policy and community health and capacity building. As a public health professional and caregiver she understands and advocates for the prioritizing of risk reduction to prevent or delay the onset of diseases to improve overall health and quality of life for Arizonans while also seeking to reduce healthcare costs.