Population health is determined by a multitude of factors, and optimizing outcomes requires recognizing and simultaneously addressing those factors. The Health Observatory at ASU will leverage a network of internal and external stakeholders and partners to carry out its mission in five strategic areas.
Each year more than 10,000 Arizonans are diagnosed with valley fever, an infection caused by breathing in spores of the fungus Coccidioides. When soil that contains the spores is disturbed — through construction, recreation or even gardening — the spores can be lofted into the air and potentially inhaled. While most people who get valley fever recover from the illness, the infection sometimes leads to severe complications or even death.
ASU researchers are investigating several factors – integrating weather, land cover disturbance, and other environmental data sets with Coccidioides air filter data. These data layers are being developed for the first time. By bringing them together, the Health Observatory team will work with local health departments to provide targeted interventions and prevention to protect the health of thousands of Arizonans for years to come.
In partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services, the Health Observatory led an initiative to create an advanced, Arizona-specific social vulnerability index that objectively ranks communities most at risk from health hazards. Released in October 2024, the tool uniquely captures the full range of hazards in Arizona — including heat resilience, rent and utility burden and food insecurity.
By applying these new metrics, the Health Observatory identified many areas as more vulnerable to disasters than previously projected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This insight empowers the state to proactively deliver resources to at-risk communities before disasters and other health and safety threats occur.
In response to the deadliest heat season in Arizona to date, Governor Hobbs issued an Executive Order declaring a Heat State of Emergency. The Arizona Department of Health Services asked the Health Observatory to coordinate a statewide response to part three of the Executive Order around public health data and extreme heat.
The Health Observatory brought together key stakeholders at ASU, NAU, UA, state, local and Tribal health departments, and relevant organizations to gather data on what is being done and develop innovative solutions. Included in the final Arizona Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan were recommendations from the Health Observatory.
The Health Observatory is coordinating a statewide consortium of infectious disease scientists to advance H5N1 research, enhance surveillance efforts and facilitate the exchange of data, findings and best practices. Human infections with H5N1 remain rare and the risk to the public remains low. However, exposure to infected animals presents an increased risk of individuals becoming infected.
Arizona public health, animal health, academic, and non-profit partners are working together to conduct surveillance for avian influenza in people, animals, and the environment and to provide support to the responsible Arizona’s state agencies.
Kicked off in January 2025, interdisciplinary teams across ASU and the University of Arizona are working together to develop a machine learning model to predict opioid overdose death risk in communities across the state. The Health Observatory identified relevant, Arizona-specific data sources and linked them to train the machine learning model.
As the collaboration develops, researchers can then use the model to predict emerging neighborhoods whose residents are at increased risk of death by overdose. With these insights, the Health Observatory can advise agencies and health organizations on where to proactively target preventative interventions to reduce harm.