Why We Do Our Work
Arkansas, when compared to other states, consistently ranks near the bottom with respect to health and access to care. Specifically, Arkansas ranks 50th in overall health, 49th in women’s and children’s health, and 47th in healthcare system performance. Arkansas also has one of the highest premature death rates in the U.S., ranking 45th in the nation. Most premature deaths in Arkansas are attributed to a constellation of preventable chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers, and chronic lower respiratory disease.
To better understand and address disparities in health and access to care in Arkansas, HEAL was founded in 2023 by Dr. Michael Niño (UA-Fayetteville) and Dr. Ben Amick (UAMS). HEAL’s primary focus lies in investigating and comprehending the social determinants of health within the state. Specifically, HEAL utilizes frameworks that emphasize health disparities cannot be solely attributed to individual health choices or genetics but are intricately linked to the social and environmental contexts in which individuals live. By identifying these social determinants, HEAL strives to promote policies and interventions that address the root causes of health disparities and foster equitable access to healthcare for all Arkansans.
HEAL is currently collaborating with scholars from various disciplines across the state of Arkansas, including sociology, public health, epidemiology, crime science, geosciences, and data analytics. Our transdisciplinary approach to research is driving a range of health disparity and access to care projects that enable policymakers, community organizations, and clinicians to make evidence-based decisions when developing public health interventions.