Arizona county looks to bridge life expectancy gap in communities [Video]

PHOENIX — A 14-year life expectancy gap between South Phoenix and North Scottsdale residents is now getting a $1 million investment from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to help address the disparity. 

The funding, awarded to ASU’s College of Health Solutions and Equality Health Foundation will continue research and establish a Community Well-Being Hub in addition to a five-year health plan. 

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The disparity in life expectancy was measured by Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015, but the pandemic added up to three years of reduced life expectancy for Black and Hispanic communities in South Phoenix, according to Tomás León, president of Equality Health Foundation. 

“There’s a lot of gaps there, and residents don’t have easy access to …