Health First Indiana brings public health investment to Scott County

In a recent Scott County Commissioners meeting, Brittany Combs from the Scott County Health Department presented updates on Health First Indiana (HFI), an initiative aimed at improving public health across the state. The program was created in response to Indiana's low life expectancy rates, particularly in rural areas like Scott County, where health outcomes have lagged behind state and national averages.

Scott County ranks poorly in multiple health categories, including adult obesity (86th in state), life expectancy (92nd), opioid overdose rates, smoking rates, and suicide rates. The Health First Indiana initiative, launched by the governor's office, aims to address these challenges by providing unprecedented public health funding and resources.

Funding Breakdown & Impact

Before HFI, local health departments across Indiana received only $6.9 million in state funding. With the new legislation funding increased to $75 million in 2024 and is set to reach $150 million in 2025 – though recent legislative changes propose reducing this to $100 million. All 92 Indiana counties have now opted into the program, recognizing its critical benefits.

Scott County received over $294,000 in 2024 and will receive $568,674 in 2025 to support essential public health services. These funds have been used for core initiatives such as infectious disease prevention, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and tobacco cessation.

Key Initiative and Investments

• Public Health Grants & Community Programs: Mini-grants have funded Be Heart Smart and Dining with Diabetes programs through Purdue Extension, Diaper Express and Mommy and Me Yoga through Cradle, and helmet safety education through the Pilot Club's Brain Minders initiative.

• New Staffing & Services: Scott County added a food protection environmentalist, separated from septic inspections, to enhance restaurant and food truck safety.

• Emergency & Preventive Health Measures: Partnerships with Norton Scott for lung cancer screenings, a rabies clinic, pest and vector control, and expanded chronic disease screening programs have been implemented.

• Maternal & Child Health: Scott County is purchasing car seats for families in need and training how to use them properly.

• Trauma & Injury Prevention: The county is investing in Stop the Bleed kits for schools, helmets for ATV and bike safety, and educational campaigns to reduce emergency visits related to off-road vehicle accidents.

• New Technology: A food protection software system will be introduced to streamline restaurant inspections and publicize results.

• Insurance and Smoking Cessation Support: The county has insurance navigators to assist the uninsured to obtain insurance. Free nicotine patches will be offered to help residents quit smoking.

Looking Ahead

Key performance goals for 2025 include reducing ATV-related ER visits by 2% by 2027, decreasing lung cancer rates, and lowering maternal smoking rates during pregnancy. Scott County is also expanding partnerships with local EMS for telehealth and mobile health services, which have already shown positive impacts on residents.

Combs emphasized the need for continued local and state support, urging commissioners and residents to advocate for full funding from the Indiana General Assembly. The current proposal to cut funding from $150 million to $100 million could significantly impact these initiatives.

For more information on Health First Indiana, visit healthfirstindiana.in.gov.