Arkansas Researchers Present First Statewide Health Survey

Arkansas researchers combined efforts to conduct the inaugural Arkansas Health Survey, information that will help create tailored solutions to improve the health and well-being of Arkansans. Only one other state has a similar statewide health survey. 

Nearly 10,000 Arkansans participated in the survey, which gathered in-depth data on the state's health status. 

"Year after year, Arkansas ranks near or at the bottom in national health outcomes. For the first time, we have place-based data that shows us what's driving these patterns and how we can start to change them," said Michael Niño, associate professor and chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminology at University of Arkansas. 

Niño led the project with co-principal investigator Benjamin Amick, associate dean for research and professor of epidemiology in the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. 

"The state of Arkansas needs a source of health information that everybody can use," Amick said. "The motivation for the survey is to produce something that's evidence-based and helps policymakers determine where they need to do health-related work and how successful the work is. Our goal is to provide useful place-based information to decision makers to support evidence-informed decisions." 

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, Arkansas State University and Southern Arkansas University will join the U of A and the UAMS College of Public Health in analyzing and disseminating survey data.  

"This is the first time in the history of the state that we'll have this level of in-depth health information about the citizens of Arkansas," said Mark Williams, professor and dean of the UAMS College of Public Health. "The data collected is at a census tract level. In the history of the U.S., this is only the second time this has been done at a state level. California was the first state to conduct a health survey that provides this level of data. The Arkansas health survey will allow the state's policy makers to have sufficient data to create policies based on valid health information." 

"For the first time, we have health data at this scale, giving us critical insights into the social and structural factors shaping outcomes in Arkansas," said Brian Raines, dean of U of A's Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. "The University of Arkansas is proud to lead this effort to drive meaningful, data-driven change for the well-being of Arkansans and impact our communities." 

The information gathered from the survey spotlighted several aspects of health, including maternal health, chronic conditions, tobacco use and behavioral health. 

The survey, however, captures more than health conditions. 

"It measures social drivers and community-level factors that shape health and well-being, offering researchers and stakeholders the insights needed to understand and address differences in health across Arkansas," Niño said. 

A total of 70,000 Arkansans were invited to participate. The researchers used a state-of-the-art survey methodology to collect data from Arkansans in all 75 counties.  

The Arkansas Health Survey is housed in the Arkansas Health Equity and Access Lab at the U of A and supported by a multidisciplinary team of scientists from institutions across the state. The work was funded by U of A and UAMS.  

The group plans to make survey data available in early 2026 via an online dashboard called AR-COMPASS. Also, faculty will meet with different organizations throughout the state to help spread the word about the dashboards and its value to the well-being of Arkansans.