As the spread of the new Coronavirus continues, Arizona reportedly ranks as the third-worst nationally for the amount of money it spends on public health at $10 per person.
The State Health Access Data Assistance Center's analysis shows only Missouri and Nevada spent less per capita than Arizona.
According to data from the nonprofit “Trust for America’s Health”, Arizona’s public health spending increased in 2019 to $15 per capita.
A state’s investment in public health isn’t the only measure of its ability to handle an emergency such as COVID-19.
But some experts tell the Arizona Republic it shows political foresight to invest up-front in an infrastructure the supports disease prevention, crisis preparedness and aims to end the health disparities.
