Indiana has 95 local health departments across the state focused on improving Hoosier health and safety.
Here are a few ways public health is working to meet the needs of their communities:
Dearborn County
Walk with a Doc
Dearborn County Health Department (DCHD) offered a summer program featuring several health-related activities. Participants received blood pressure checks, glucose checks, diabetes prevention education, resource bags and referrals to services. In total, 296 people participated!
Community members who joined the Saturday morning “Walk with a Doc” event with Health Officer Stephen Eliason were gifted $5 in farmer’s market bucks. By the end of the program, $750.00 in farmer’s market bucks were distributed to participants, providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Participants also received a booklet to track water intake, blood pressure, glucose levels, steps and weight. Those who presented their booklets were eligible for fun incentives, including water bottles and cooking utensils.
This program was offered in partnership with Purdue Extension, Zen Zone Wellness Center, Lawrenceburg Farmer’s Market, Walk with a Doc and Library Get Walkin’ programs.
Ohio County
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Checks for Students
Ohio County Health Department (OCHD) School Health Liaison Regina Crouch partnered with a local school nurse, Jamie Works, to scan students for cardiac conditions. MCore Foundation provided a mobile unit and checked students ages 12-18 for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). According to the MCore Foundation, SCA in youth is not uncommon.
Because of HFI funding, MCore Foundation checked 32 students. They identified three students for follow-up testing and one student with a critical heart condition. According to OCHD Administrator Penny Koons, identifying a critical case is important to the Ohio County community. In the past, an Ohio County student lost their life to SCA, so preventing future death is of utmost importance. OCHD is hosting another SCA check with MCore Foundation this fall, and another clinic is scheduled for 2025. Clinics will be hosted biyearly until all students have been checked. The goal is to have all Ohio County students checked before age 15.
Orange County
Expanding Services and Partnerships
Orange County Health Department (OCHD) is partnering with local entities to improve the health and wellbeing of Orange County residents. They have undertaken several successful initiatives, including a Translation Day, a resource fair and accessibility improvements for community members.
The translation day was designed to bridge language gaps for Spanish-speaking community members. Flyers were distributed to schools and local restaurants to promote the event. Dr. Claudia Lora attended to translate forms. Families asked questions, got vaccines and scheduled follow-up appointments with Dr. Lora.
OCHD partnered with Team OC, a youth mentoring program, to expand outreach efforts in the county. On April 13, Team OC hosted a community resource fair featuring 45 vendors. Kids had the opportunity to win bikes and meet some of their favorite TV show characters. Over 800 community members attended!
OCHD partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a ramp for an Orange County resident who requires a walker. A team of 16 volunteers worked on this project and there are plans to add ramps to seven more homes. The ramps will improve accessibility and safety for residents. To see more OCHD successes, view their Facebook page here.
Bartholomew County
The Bartholomew County Health Department attended a Community Safety Palooza in September 2023. Hosted by St. Peter’s church, the health department provided immunizations to attendees.
Along with more than 50 immunizations, the health department partnered with a dental hygienist to distribute toothbrushes and dental health education materials to children.
The Bartholomew County Health Department also created a student backpack that shows parents and caregivers how potential risks can be hidden in a student's backpack. There are 19 tobacco products or containers in the demonstration backpack. Many parents and other adults are surprised by how easy it is for children to hide and maintain access to dangerous substances. The backpacks are used during health fairs and presentations to adult audiences. The backpacks alert parents and caregivers to signs and signals that their youth may be using prescription drugs inappropriately.
Several indicators for young adults continue to be a source of concern. Recent data released from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has cited these most recent findings: Frequent marijuana use in 12-17 year olds and young adults (18-25 year olds) appears to be associated with opioid use, heavy alcohol use and depressive disorder.
Student-led Vaccine Clinic
A student from Columbus North High School contacted the Bartholomew County Health Department (BCHD) to inquire about partnering for a senior project. He wanted to host a vaccine clinic for students who were not up-to-date with routine immunizations.
The student advertised the clinic at Bartholomew County schools. At the clinic, BCHD administered vaccines to 96 students! Health First Indiana (HFI) funding allowed the health department to use an AMN interpreter service to bridge language gaps for students.
Patients reported that the AMN interpreter service provided a better-informed consent and health education for students and parents/guardians.
Daviess County
The Rooted Project
In 2023, Daviess County Health Department established The Rooted Project to address disparities in health outcomes among Haitian and Hispanic populations. The Rooted Project is a partnership between Daviess County Health Department, Purdue Extension, Indiana Rural Health Association, Daviess Community Hospital, Recovery Café and other local organizations.
The Rooted Project completed several successful projects in 2023. They hosted two mobile clinic events at Tienda Mi Rancho and El Nayer in Washington, Indiana. A back-to-school clinic was offered in August. Daviess County Health Department also offered two onsite clinics a week with nurse practitioners for patients without insurance. At each mobile clinic, patients are offered HIV rapid testing, lead testing, immunizations, insurance navigation services and general health education.
Daviess County accepted Health First Indiana funding to strengthen and expand current partnerships. They created a resource guide in three languages so users can easily access contact information for each organization in the Rooted Project. More than 2,000 resource guides have been distributed. Looking forward, the Rooted Project plans to develop a Haitian focus group to meet the needs of Haitian residents.
Floyd County
Floyd County Health Department generated a QR code to increase access to nursing care. When scanned, the QR code directs users to the scheduling page for nursing services offered at the health department.
Since April 2023, the QR code has been printed on mailers and cards to be distributed at health fairs. The public response to the QR code has been overwhelmingly positive.
Car Seat Safety Program
Floyd County Health Department (FCHD) used Health First Indiana funding to offer a car seat safety program. On the first day the program began, the Floyd County WIC office referred a local family. The family had a young baby and their car seat had recently been involved in a crash. The trained car seat safety technicians at FCHD checked the car seat and found signs of damage. Because of HFI funding, they were able to provide the family with a new car seat and complete a car seat safety check.
Knox County
Knox County Health Department recently hosted an onsite testing clinic. HIV, lead and TB tests were available. Attendees were given a bag with a COVID-19 test, hand sanitizer and Band-aids. The bag also included health education materials on HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and TB prevention. Attendees were also given a magnet that has the childhood immunization schedule and a trifold brochure detailing the health department’s hours and services provided. The brochure was printed in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
Vanderburgh County
Vanderburgh County Health Department’s Produce Rx program has shown great success. One of the program’s participants, Barbara, began the program in March 2023. She said, “Since joining the Produce Rx Nourishment Program, I have strength, motivation, and endurance even though I have received disability for years. I’ve been so impressed by the bags. The coaches have brought me food because I own no house, car, or computer. I am humbled and appreciative to be a part of the program. The better I eat, the better I think, the more I exercise”.