The Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI has released a study, Indiana Public Health System Review, highlighting the public health issues faced statewide as well as actions that can be taken for improvement. Indiana ranks 41st in overall health in the nation.
The home page for the study states, “The COVID-19 pandemic sounded the alarm for the shortcomings of our current public health system. We hope that this report bolsters and supports the work our dedicated state and local public health workers perform without the resources they need to do the best job they can.”
The study states that a lack of oversight and public health funding, especially in rural and underserved communities, is a particularly large issue. “The national median funding among local health departments is $41 per capita, but over a third of Indiana’s have budgets of less than $10 per capita.” The researchers claim that a larger investment in public health would help prevent chronic diseases and other health issues and thus lessen the strain on the healthcare system, resulting in fewer health care expenses overall.
Read the report summary or the full report here. Inside Indiana Business also conducted an interview with Dr. Halverson and Dr. Yeager, who led the study.
Like what you’re reading?
Recent Comments