An Ohio not-for-profit ranks Indiana No. 42 out of 50 states on a 2019 Health Value Dashboard tracking and comparing states’ total health value.
Health Action Council’s vice president of business solutions, Kevin Gregory, says the dashboard determines Indiana’s total value by combining its population health outcome (No. 42) and its healthcare spending ranking (No. 29).
“This means that Hoosiers are less healthy and spend more money on healthcare than people in most states,” Gregory said.
He said a key driver for poor public health is tobacco use. The dashboard reports almost 22% of adult Hoosiers smoke, ranking the state 45 of 50.
“By encouraging healthy behaviors, supporting families and child development, and preventing and treating mental health and addiction disorders, Indiana can improve outcomes and control healthcare spending,” Gregory said.
Health Action Council plans to meet with leaders around the state to discuss specific strategies for improving the health of Hoosiers. Suggestions include investing in green spaces and healthy meal programs, providing resources to pregnant women and mothers of young children, and expanding school-based social and emotional learning programs.
