Addressing Health Disparities: Maricopa County and ASU Join Forces
A significant health disparity has prompted action in Maricopa County, where residents in south Phoenix face a life expectancy that is 14 years shorter than those in north Scottsdale. To tackle this issue, the county has aligned with Arizona State University (ASU) to initiate targeted health programs.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has unanimously voted to allocate $1 million over five years to enhance health outcomes in the south Phoenix community. This funding aims to address the health inequities that have persisted in the area.
Supervisor Steve Gallardo, representing Legislative District 5, which includes south Phoenix, emphasized the urgency of the situation. He stated, “When I heard just how big the life expectancy gap is between folks in my district and folks in other parts of town, I knew we had to do something.”
Research indicates that the life expectancy gap is even more pronounced among Black and Hispanic residents in south Phoenix, widening to 17 years, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
ASU, in collaboration with the Equality Health Foundation (EHF), has already engaged the community through six meetings to gather insights and feedback. The next phase involves implementing programs aimed at improving the community’s quality of life and narrowing the life expectancy gap.
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