New research from Arizona State University has found that it’s cheaper to build permanent, supportive housing for people who have chronic mental illness than it is to let them become homeless.

A study done by the Morrison Institute for Public Policy has, for the first time, quantified the cost savings at about $21,000 per year for each chronically mentally ill person who has stable housing and support services, breaking the expensive cycle of emergency room visits, police interactions and incarceration.

• Read more about ASU research pinpoints cost savings of moving mentally ill from homelessness

A new study done at Arizona State University has, for the first time, quantified the health-care cost of women in Arizona who experienced trauma as children, pegging the amount at $260 million for 2019.

The research, done by the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, showed that exposure to three or more “adverse childhood experiences,” or ACEs, such as drug abuse or violence in their homes, was associated with $260 million in Medicaid spending – about 16% of the total for 2019.

• Read more about ASU researchers set price tag on illness linked to childhood trauma

For a second year in row, ASU’s Social Embeddedness Network Conference was held virtually. But the Zoom-based conference was bigger, better, with more participants than years past, proving community-university partnerships can thrive in an array of settings.

• Read more about ASU's Social Embeddedness Network Conference has record turnout in virtual format

Elizabeth Lightfoot will become the next director of the ASU School of Social Work (SSW) on July 1, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions Dean Jonathan Koppell announced today.

Lightfoot, a University of Minnesota Distinguished Global Professor who has directed UMN’s doctoral program in social work since 2006, has been a member of its faculty since 1999.

• Read more about Minnesota professor with strong commitment to international collaboration, inclusion named School of Social Work director, begins duties July 1

American Indian Policy Institute (AIPI) Executive Director Traci Morris (Chickasaw Nation) is one of 25 Top Women in Higher Education in 2021, an annual honor bestowed by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine.

• Read more about American Indian Policy Institute executive director named to Diverse magazine’s list of 25 Top Women in Higher Education in 2021

Two Arizona State University research centers — the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center and the Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy – are integrating to strengthen their research capacities and their community partnerships, School of Social Work Director James Herbert Williams announced.

• Read more about 2 School of Social Work centers integrate to strengthen research capacities, community partnerships

Early in his career, Anthony Fauci treated patients with AIDS before the disease had a name. Later, the physician-scientist contributed to research that changed the illness from a fatal one to a chronic one. Only last year, after COVID-19 arrived, did Fauci, director of the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, became a household name.

• Read more about SciOPS gives us a look into scientists' minds

Maricopa County residents realized a $4.85 return on investment for every dollar the county Parks and Recreation Department spent on operating costs at its eight parks in 2019, according to an ASU economic impact study. 

• Read more about Research finds taxpayers get more than 4 times return on investment in Maricopa County parks and recreation

• Read more about ASU team analyzes data as part of state effort on missing, murdered Indigenous women

Researchers at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions have identified the first of 10 ZIP codes where during the next two years they will conduct 29,000 coronavirus tests among members of the most vulnerable populations in Arizona.

Testing will begin Nov. 7 in an area of southwest Phoenix whose ZIP Code is 85041. The others are still being determined.

• Read more about First underserved population identified for ASU to administer COVID-19 tests