Feb. 22, 2024 (INDIANAPOLIS) — The Indiana Hospital Association on behalf of its 170 member hospitals today announced a statewide pledge to support the State's Health First Indiana initiative to improve Hoosiers' public health outcomes within the counties they serve. The announcement was made during Public Health Day at the Statehouse, alongside the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), local health departments, Hoosier business leaders, and community partners.
“IHA and its member hospitals are fully committed to partnering with our state and local health leaders to ensure each and every Hoosier has access to the critical services they need to achieve their highest quality of life," said Steve Holman, IHA Board Chair and president and CEO of Union Health. “This is our opportunity to improve the health of our citizens and the overall delivery of care in communities large and small across the state."
Health First Indiana, created by Senate Enrolled Act 4 during the 2023 legislative session, provides $225 million in funding for local communities to prioritize public health and safety. The initiative focuses on providing core public health services, including infant health, childhood lead screening, chronic disease prevention, trauma and injury prevention, and more.
“Our healthcare partners are key to the success of Health First Indiana," said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “Through collaboration with the Indiana Hospital Association and our hospitals across the state we're transforming lives and empowering communities to reach their optimal health."
Hospitals' pledge to act includes goals intended to create community partnerships through collaboration and communication with local health departments to address key public health outcomes, focusing first on infant and maternal mortality, obesity, and smoking cessation.
IHA's Health First Indiana Pledge can be found here. More information on the Health First Indiana initiative can be found here.
