Maricopa County has unveiled a groundbreaking $1 million initiative aimed at addressing a stark health disparity between South Phoenix and North Scottsdale. The project, developed in collaboration with Arizona State University, seeks to bridge a staggering 14-year gap in life expectancy between these two areas.
Spearheaded by Supervisor Steve Gallardo, the initiative centers on the creation of a Community Well-Being Hub. This hub will serve as the cornerstone of a five-year health program designed to enhance the quality of life in District 5, where the disparity is most pronounced.
The urgency of this initiative was underscored by recent findings that revealed the profound impact of geographical location on life expectancy. “Where you live, even down to the ZIP code, can impact your quality of life,” Gallardo stated, highlighting the critical need for intervention.
Research has further exposed the disproportionate effect on Black and Hispanic populations in District 5, with life expectancy decreasing an additional three years due to the pandemic’s impact.
Preliminary efforts have already engaged over 800 stakeholders and conducted six Community Voices meetings to gather local insights. The next phase will focus on developing a comprehensive plan addressing social determinants of health, guiding strategy development, establishing program metrics, and tracking improvements in health outcomes and community well-being.
This initiative is part of Maricopa County’s Community Solutions Funding, which provides equitable resources to each supervisor for strategic community-benefiting projects. By targeting the life expectancy gap in South Phoenix, the county aims to address deep-rooted health disparities and foster overall community development.
See: “Maricopa County Invests $1M to Bridge 14-Year Life Expectancy Gap Between South Phoenix and North Scottsdale” (December 20, 2024)