A major effort aimed at making a big difference

The Arizona Health Survey is one of the most extensive health surveys ever undertaken in the state and includes more than 100 interrelated facets of health, fielded biennally. Survey samples, by year:

• In 2008: 4,196 adults, 635 children, 203 adolescents
• In 2010:  8,100 adults, 2,000 children

Data were collected on more than 100 interrelated facets of health, with the goal of deepening the  understanding of health and well-being in our state. It creates new opportunities for leaders to use Arizona-specific data in their research, policy development, advocacy, planning, grant making, community engagement and program development activities.

What is the Arizona Health Survey?

The Arizona Health Survey collects data on individual indicators of health status, insurance coverage, access to care, behavioral health, health-related behaviors and various demographic and social/environmental factors related to health.

Why do another survey? Don’t we already have enough data?

In contrast to other organizations and public agencies that collect data on health and healthcare delivery, the Arizona Health Survey takes a comprehensive, asset-based approach that goes beyond traditional focus areas of access, cost and quality, to consider the impact of social and environmental factors, community resources, health-related behaviors, attitudes and outcomes. For these reasons, the Arizona Health Survey is an important step in developing a health surveillance system capable of providing standardized state and local health data that can be used to identify and target intervention activities, plan resource allocation and inform complex policy issues.

To learn more about the Arizona Health Survey, please see the FAQ.