Diabetes is one of the most common health challenges in Central Oregon. To coincide with this Diabetes Awareness Month, the Central Oregon Health Council has released Diabetes in Central Oregon: A Community Snapshot, a report on diabetes prevalence and control based on actual, up-to-date regional data. According to the Oregon Health Authority, more than 9% [...]
October 30, 2025 The Challenge Oregon State University-Cascades is seeing increasing levels of mental health concerns among students, especially BILAPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled students, veterans, first-generation students, and others who have been historically marginalized or underserved. Through campus-wide surveys, focus groups, peer groups, and clinical interactions, a clear message surfaced: students want identity-affirming, culturally responsive, [...]
Across Central Oregon, food insecurity and short growing seasons limit reliable access to fresh produce for families, schools, and community partners. Extreme weather—frost, heat, and smoke—disrupts gardens and small farms, while limited funds and staff capacity make it hard to keep programs going year-round. As a result, the people who would benefit most from fresh, [...]
BEND, OR [Oct 6, 2025] — The Central Oregon Health Council (COHC) is pleased to announce that healthcare partners across our region have helped bring home approximately $23.5 million in funding for providing exceptional care to the communities we serve. This achievement reflects the outstanding performance of the Central Oregon CCO, PacificSource Community Solutions, aided [...]
At Around The Bend Farms, the mission is to build a more connected, equitable, and secure food system in Central Oregon. Their work is rooted in the belief that community health begins with access to locally sourced fresh foods and strong partnerships between producers and residents. “We have always understood the importance of having [...]
And unveils the 2025–2029 Regional Health Improvement Plan with evolved role as connector and collaborator The Central Oregon Health Council (COHC) is pleased to introduce a bold new campaign—Be Well Central Oregon—to mark the launch of the 2025–2029 Regional Health Improvement Plan(RHIP). This initiative represents a transformative shift in how partners work together to build [...]
The Central Oregon Health Council is beginning to transform the way we carry out the next Regional Health Improvement Plan. The 2025–2029 RHIP will use a more collaborative and community-centered approach to improving health outcomes across the region. For years, COHC has coordinated implementation of the RHIP by leading monthly workgroups and providing funding for [...]
New Opportunities at COHC Project Manager (Contract) We are seeking an experienced contract Project Manager with extensive project management expertise to set up and implement our Regional Health Improvement Plan and Strategic Plan. This pivotal role is designed to "get us started" by establishing the essential frameworks, milestones, and processes required to launch these strategic [...]
The Central Oregon Health Council (COHC) is thrilled to announce that Dr. Arianne (Ari) Powell has joined the team as executive director of the health care nonprofit. The COHC is dedicated to improving health outcomes and creating a healthier Central Oregon. Dr. Powell has a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to improving healthcare [...]
Location: Bend, Oregon About Us: The Central Oregon Health Council (COHC) is a dynamic and community-driven nonprofit organization committed to improving health care delivery and outcomes in our region. We collaborate with community partners, reduce costs, and execute a five-year Regional Health Improvement Plan. Our mission is to achieve the Triple Aim: improving health outcomes, increasing satisfaction [...]
