Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing barriers to chronic disease management, particularly among low-income patients. This study aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on chronic disease care in Arizona, focusing on providers' and patients' perspectives on access to care, barriers, and successful strategies for addressing disparities.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022–2023, using surveys administered to healthcare providers and patients at Federally Qualified Health Centers in Arizona. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests, while qualitative responses were thematically coded to contextualize findings.

Results
Ten providers and 191 patients with chronic conditions participated in the study. Providers reported barriers such as mistrust in the healthcare system, language barriers, and socioeconomic challenges. Over 80% of providers observed negative impacts of COVID-19 on patient adherence to care. Patients identified bias due to race/ethnicity, gender, and insurance status. Key barriers included limited access to telehealth, transportation challenges, and a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate resources. Providers and patients noted that strategies to address the challenges would include use of community health workers and emphasis on patient education.

Discussion
There is need for targeted interventions to address healthcare disparities worsened by COVID-19, particularly among underserved populations in Arizona. Findings emphasize the importance of combating misinformation and increasing culturally responsive care to mitigate the impact of future public health emergencies.

Conclusion
COVID-19 exacerbated existing health disparities and barriers to chronic disease care in Arizona. Collaborative, equity-focused interventions are essential to improve healthcare access and outcomes for vulnerable populations.