Smart Health Access: The Rise of Wellness Vending Machines

January 29, 2026 | 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. ET

Smart Health Access: The Rise of Wellness Vending Machines

What if getting Narcan or a hygiene kit was as simple as using an ATM?

With American Indian and Alaska Native people experiencing one of the highest drug overdose death rates in the U.S., Urban Indian communities are installing Wellness Vending Machines that provide free, anonymous access to Narcan, fentanyl test strips, condoms, hygiene kits, smudge kits, Plan B, and needle exchange supplies. These machines expand access, reduce stigma, and empower individuals to manage their health on their own terms bridging service gaps and promoting safer, healthier outcomes for all.

Presenters:

• Johnny Delgado, BAIHP
• Dr. Ashleigh Herrera, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, California State University, Bakersfield

Objectives:

• Learn how medical vending machines work and how they’re being used to expand access to care, reduce stigma, and serve as tools for prevention.
• Identify the steps and partnerships to implement this model in urban Indigenous communities
• Discuss how low-barrier innovations like vending machines can support prevention, wellness, and outreach efforts.

Audience:

• UIO ED/CEOs
• UIO Staff
• Tribal Partners and Tribes