Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis publishes report recommending a four-step approach to improving public health in Indiana

Indiana Public Health System Review was published in January by scientists at the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, outlining a strategy for improving public health in Indiana, which currently ranks as 41st out of the 50 U.S. states. The report was a project headed by Dean of IUPUI's Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Paul Halverson, and Associate Professor Valerie Yeager. The report offers actionable recommendations employing a four-part framework to boost the effectiveness and capacity of the state's public health system, drawing connections between the shortcomings of the current system and chronic underfunding. The report also establishes a link between a healthier population and overall economic growth, framing public health as a strategic investment of tax dollars.

Indiana ranks 48th in public health funding. The report finds the lack of funding contributes to higher levels of preventable disease and medical expenses, burdening the state's health system resources. As Yeager points out in a recent press release from IUPUI, "It costs a lot less to keep people healthy than it does to make them well again, but we historically spend less than 3 percent of our health dollars on public health promotion and prevention. We have to change this narrative and invest in keeping people healthy." Investments proposed by the report have been shown in other states to create more wealth by reducing the barriers to success often experienced by people with health problems. This happens through improvements to educational achievement when all children have access to treatment for conditions that interfere with attending class. Strategic investments in public health can also help working-aged residents of Indiana by reducing interruptions in career advancement and productivity. Yeager explains the connection between public health policy and economic outcomes, "There is a bidirectional relationship between health and wealth - for individuals and for the communities in which they live. Strategic investments in our public health system can improve health among all Hoosiers, creating opportunity for people and communities that need it the most."

The four main recommendations are to create a uniform approach to delivering public health statewide: Create mechanisms that enable the sharing of resources between local health departments, strengthen state oversight of local health departments, and establish a statewide multi-disciplinary committee to execute the changes outlined. The report, developed in consultation with healthcare experts, policy leaders, and business leaders from across the state, makes the argument that the financial benefits of a more robust public health system outweigh the costs. Halverson took an opportunity to connect that analysis to improving the lives of individuals living in Indiana, "Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a long and healthy life. When we invest in public health, we spend less on health care and live longer. It is also the most important step we can take to strengthen Indiana's economy."