Cardiovascular disease (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol) is the leading cause of premature mortality in Armenia, followed by various cancers. Children suffer from a range of issues, from problems with growth and development, to anemia and infections. Based on this, and its experience, COAF implements targeted initiatives that address these critical healthcare needs and challenges:

• COAF empowers and supports our rural healthcare workers, giving them the knowledge and skills needed to provide excellent care, focusing on cardiovascular disease, and pediatric care. The trainings are followed by a program of supportive supervision and monitoring to ensure sustainability.
• COAF promotes and facilitates screenings for the early detection of cancer, bringing screening to even the remotest of communities.

Dental diseases affect an astonishing 99% of children in COAF-supported communities. COAF tackles this problem in multiple ways, focusing on prevention, but also facilitating treatment of dental disease in children. COAF does this by:

• training family doctors and nurses in the primary evaluation of pediatric dental health, as well as providing counseling to parents on oral hygiene.
• running two pediatric dental units, in Karakert (Armavir Marz) and Dsegh (Lori Marz), which serve the children of the respective regions free of charge.
• implementing a mobile dental health program, which brings preventive care, including regular cleanings, fluoridation, and application of sealant, to children at their schools.

All of our health programs are supported by community education programs to increase their effectiveness and impact.

• For many years, COAF has provided a Health Promotion in Schools Grant to more than 20 schools a year. Each participating school has an instructor who undergoes standardized training by COAF, and then implements the school health education curriculum. The curriculum is broad in scope, including dental health, nutrition, general hygiene and healthy lifestyle, and more. This fun and interactive curriculum, developed by COAF, includes games, inter-school competitions, guest speakers, and field trips.
• The dental interventions have their own complementary educational component. We have built specialized tooth brushing stations, known as “Brushodromes” in schools, where children are given a toothbrush and toothpaste, and learn how to brush their teeth properly. This program is paired with a formal dental health and hygiene education program for children in the schools.

Years before the role of social determinants of health became well recognized, and years before it became an international best practice to include social and mental health workers in primary care teams, COAF was using exactly this model to support its beneficiaries in its communities. From the first days of COAF’s presence in Armavir, to the humanitarian crisis caused by the forced displacement of the people of Artsakh in the Fall of 2023, we sent teams composed of physicians, psychologists and social workers into communities, schools and homes.

• Teams work with local doctors, nurses, teachers and other community members to identify at-risk families, available resources, and help develop solutions in collaboration with local representatives.
• We use knowledge gained from its experience to inform policy on local and national levels, through Marzpetaran, Ministries, and international NGOs. This model allows for a truly holistic and human-centered approach to supporting our people and communities in need.