ASU Health is a “learning health ecosystem” created by the university to accelerate and focus its health-related efforts to tackle the state’s urgent health care needs, now and into the future.
ASU is launching a medical school, creating two other new schools, expanding its alliance with Mayo Clinic, launching a state health observatory and more. The charge is to address significant and growing health care needs and help improve health outcomes across Arizona.
“We are focusing our full energy and innovation on improving Arizona’s health outcomes. We have an opportunity for change. And over the past 20 years, ASU has shown that we know how to create transformative change, at scale.”
“This is part of the most aggressive and comprehensive health care plan in Arizona’s history. It will include major growth and new investments by all three of our state universities, significant partnerships with the private sector, and the support of our government partners.”
Arizona ranks near or in the bottom quartile of many health system performance indicators including No. 32 overall, No. 44 in access and affordability, and No. 41 in prevention and treatment.
The state needs to add an estimated 14,000 more nurses – enough to nearly fill the Phoenix Suns basketball arena – just to reach the national average.
There already is significant turnover in health care professions, and experts say turnover rates for physicians and nurses will be further impacted by COVID-19 burnout and approaching retirements in the next decade.
Public health funding is 50% below the national average.
Arizona has fewer hospital beds per 1,000 people than the national average.
The school integrates clinical medicine, biomedical science and engineering in a new approach to a medical school. Clinical partnerships support both research and academic programs, delivering solutions that improve patient and health care outcomes.
An interdisciplinary approach brings together health sciences from across the university to prepare students to address complex health care problems.