Latest news with #HealthFirstIndiana
Chicago Tribune
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Soil tour and Back to School Carnival
The Portage Mayor's Senior Advisory Committee invites all senior artists over the age of 55 to enter the Annual Senior Art Fair. The Portage branch of the Porter County Public Library System, 2665 Irving St,, will accept up to two original pieces of art beginning Aug. 1. The artwork will be displayed throughout the month of September. An Artist's Reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 20. More information can be found at 219-462-0524 or at 219-764-5741. Marbleseed, a nonprofit committed to supporting farmers toward a sustainable, organic farming system, will host a Field Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen, 411 E. Fifth Ave., Gary. During the event, attendees will learn more about how Families Anchored in Total Harmony (FAITH) CDC supports their local community through food access and health equity. The day will include a farm tour. Attendees will learn about FAITH CDC's youth training, fresh/frozen, and food is medicine programs. For more information, visit call 888-906-6737or email info@ Merrillville Community School Corporation invites families and community members to kick off the new school year with their first Back-to-School Carnival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 2 at Merrillville High School, 276 E. 68th Place, Merrillville. The event is free. The carnival will feature a variety of activities, including games, face painting, bounce houses, live entertainment, food vendors, and informational booths about upcoming school programs and resources. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet teachers, and learn about school supplies and enrollment. For more information, call 219-650-5300 or visit The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and Regional Health Systems, a member of Regional Care Group, have partnered to make monthly food deliveries to individuals with behavioral health struggles across Lake County. Since February, the organizations have successfully served more than 90 residents at eight Regional Health Systems residential facilities in Merrillville, Griffith and Hobart. Currently, 560 food boxes have been delivered to people in need. These menus are carefully prepared by a certified nutritionist to meet the dietary needs of individuals living with chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. The project is supported by the Lake County Health Department and funded through Health First Indiana, a state initiative aimed at improving public health infrastructure through state and local partnerships. Health First Indiana's mission is to provide essential public health services, focusing on community-driven programs. In addition to the ongoing behavioral health nutrition project, the Food Bank's funding is being used to combat infant mortality in Lake County by providing medically tailored, nutrient-dense foods to food-insecure pregnant women. As part of these efforts, the Food Bank is building an automated smart locker at the Lake County Health Department in Crown Point, offering greater access and convenience for individuals in need. For more information about the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana or Regional Health Systems, visit or Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) is now accepting applications for Fall 2025 tree planting through the CommuniTree Grant Program. Communities can apply to receive quality caliper native trees to plant and maintain in public spaces in Northwest Indiana's Lake Michigan watershed. Eligible applicants include public entities, such as municipalities, schools, churches and conservation, community or service organizations. Tree recipients must agree to properly plant, mulch and maintain trees and water them for at least three years. Training will be provided before the tree distribution. Applications are due by Aug. 8. For full details and to apply, visit For more information, contact Jen at 219-763-6060. Representatives from Lake County Soil Health Improvement Program — a partnership between Purdue Extension Lake County, Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, Urban Soil Health, and local farms — will lead a soil tour in Gary and Merrillville from 4-7 p.m. on July 29. Participants will be able to see real-life demonstrations about using soil health practices like cover crops, mulching, native plants, and composting from local gardeners working with soils in the Gary and Merrillville area. Bus transportation will be provided to the program locations as well as light refreshments. To register, visit For special dietary needs, and if you need an interpreter or translator, or any other accommodations to attend, please contact Rebecca Koetz at (219) 755-3240 or email busser@ by July 25.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
IN Department of Health celebrates decrease in infant mortality rate
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Officials say data from the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) indicate there are fewer babies dying. IDOH says according to provisional data, the 2024 infant mortality rate (IMR) in Indiana is 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is a decrease from 6.6 in 2023. Officials say if this IMR remains the same when finalized, it would be the lowest rate of infant deaths in Indiana since 1900. The previous lowest rate for infant mortality was 6.5 deaths per 1,000 births in 2019. 'With Indiana's infant mortality rate at its lowest in over a century, we see the real impact of everyone who is focused on protecting our most vulnerable Hoosiers,' said Gov. Mike Braun. 'We are committed to ensuring that even more babies have a healthy start and a strong future.' Rep. Tim O'Brien announces law keeping biological males out of female sports IDOH says infant mortality is the death of a child before his or her first birthday and is measured by the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. Several factors contribute to infant mortality, many of which are directly tied to the health of the mother. Conditions such as maternal stress, obesity, smoking during pregnancy and delayed prenatal care can increase the risk of poor health outcomes. 'We are ecstatic that more Hoosier babies are celebrating their first birthdays,' said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, MD, FACEP. 'Seeing these efforts pay off is something to celebrate, and we are grateful to clinicians, healthcare centers and affiliates, local health departments and all our other partners for their collective efforts.' The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) has set the Healthy People 2030 goal of a nationwide infant mortality rate of 5.0 deaths per 1,000 births. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most current rate of infant mortality in the United States was 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023. 'The critical work to further reduce infant mortality continues,' Dr. Weaver said. 'The Indiana Department of Health is committed to our role to decrease the number of infant deaths in Indiana and give the next generation of Hoosiers the best possible start.' Eggs sold at Walmart, other grocers in 9 states recalled amid salmonella outbreak IDOH says it has multiple initiatives focused on improving infant mortality including: Reviewing data to ensure that moms and babies have the opportunities to receive care at the best facility to meet their risk factors prior to delivery Checking hospital discharge data to identify specific 'opportunities for improvement' in maternal and neonatal care practices Working with a number of community-based programs through Health First Indiana Supporting services, including home visiting, breastfeeding programs and infant safe sleep education Conducting comprehensive reviews of fetal and infant deaths to identify opportunities for interventions Partnering with birthing facilities to be prepared for potentially challenging health outcomes through Levels of Care People can find more information about programs and resources available to families here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Indiana health department reports potential record-low infant death rate in 2024
A preliminary report from the Indiana Department of Health showed an infant mortality rate of 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, down from 6.6 deaths in 2023. (Getty Images) An early review of Indiana's 2024 infant death records showed a year-over-year decline — potentially reaching a historic low, according to provisional data from the state health department. Indiana's Department of Health (IDOH) reported an infant mortality rate of 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, down from 6.6 deaths in 2023. If the rate holds after final review, it would be Indiana's lowest since the state began tracking the measure in 1900. The previous low was 6.5 deaths in 2019, according to IDOH data. 'With Indiana's infant mortality rate at its lowest in over a century, we see the real impact of everyone who is focused on protecting our most vulnerable Hoosiers,' Gov. Mike Braun said in a Tuesday statement. 'We are committed to ensuring that even more babies have a healthy start and a strong future.' CONTACT US Infant mortality refers to the death of a child before their first birthday and is often seen as a key indicator of overall public health. Indiana has long struggled to lower its rate, particularly among marginalized populations and in rural areas. For years, the state ranked among the worst in the nation. 'We are ecstatic that more Hoosier babies are celebrating their first birthdays,' said State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver. 'Seeing these efforts pay off is something to celebrate, and we are grateful to clinicians, healthcare centers and affiliates, local health departments and all our other partners for their collective efforts.' Indiana's rate still remains above the national average, however. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the national infant mortality rate was 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023. The federal 'Healthy People 2030 goal' is to lower the national rate to 5 deaths per 1,000 births. IDOH officials pointed to ongoing efforts through Health First Indiana. The initiative supports partnerships between the state health department and local groups to improve prenatal care access, support home visiting services, promote breastfeeding, and expand education on infant safe sleep practices. IDOH also reviews hospital discharge and fatality data to guide future interventions. Health First Indiana funding was slashed in the new state budget, however. A final analysis of the 2024 numbers is expected later this year. 'The critical work to further reduce infant mortality continues,' Weaver said. 'The Indiana Department of Health is committed to our role to decrease the number of infant deaths in Indiana and give the next generation of Hoosiers the best possible start.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lake, Porter counties navigate Health First Indiana budget cuts
The Lake County Health Department will shift its plan for its Health First Indiana key performance indicator for maternal and child health as its program funding from 2025 to 2026 will drastically decrease. Health First Indiana was created by Senate Enrolled Act 4, which was legislation that passed in the 2023 legislative session, to address public health in Indiana. The program establishes a public health infrastructure through a state and local partnership where each county, after choosing to opt in, can determine which health services to invest in based on community needs. The state funded the program $75 million in fiscal year 2024 and $150 million in fiscal year 2025. For fiscal years 2026 and 2027, Health First Indiana will be funded $40 million per year, $80 million total, said Porter County Health Department Administrator Carrie Gschwind. Porter County received approximately $3.39 million in Health First Indiana funds in 2025, and has been notified it will receive approximately $906,000 in 2026, Gschwind said. 'We will have to cut some programming with the 73% reduction and are currently working with our team and partners to determine the most strategic course of action to make the most impact on the health outcomes of the residents of Porter County, keeping in mind those county-level key performance indicators, in light of the reduced funding,' Gschwind said. Lake County Health Department Administrator Sheila Paul told the Lake County Council Tuesday the department will take a 'big gut punch' after learning it would receive $2.5 million in Health First Indiana funding in 2026 compared to the $9 million received in 2025. 'Lake County deserves a public health infrastructure that is proactive, not reactive. Continued investment is key to making that vision a reality,' said Lake County Health Officer Dr. Chandana Vavilala. As part of the Health First Indiana program, Lake County established a goal to decrease the rate of mothers not receiving early prenatal care from 33.7% in 2022 to 28% in 2027. Another goal under the same umbrella is to decrease the count of congenital syphilis cases in Lake County from 4 in 2023 to zero in 2027. Initially, the Lake County Health Department had planned to hire six people to meet its key performance indicator for maternal and child health, Paul told the council. But with the decrease in funding, that program was scrapped, she said. Vavilala told the Post-Tribune the plan was to open two maternal health clinics – in the northern and southern portions of the county – staffed with a dedicated team of nurse practitioners, social workers and clerical staff. The clinics and staff would provide comprehensive support to expectant mothers, including prenatal care access, social support and child safety education, Vavilala said. 'Our vision was to take a holistic approach to maternal and infant health, targeting the systemic factors that contribute to poor outcomes,' Vavilala said. 'Disappointingly, with the potential reduction in Health First Indiana funding, we will not have the resources to staff or equip these clinics.' But Vavilala said Lake County is committed to improving prenatal care access. Department officials will continue to work closely with community partners and enhance internal education and outreach to support maternal and child health throughout the county, she said. 'Establishing two fully staffed clinics would require significant investment overall,' Vavilala said. 'While we continue to believe in the importance of these services, the financial realities make this model unsustainable under the revised funding.' Beyond this programming, Vavilala said the Lake County Health Department is still evaluating how else the reduced funds may impact programming. 'Our goal is to maximize impact with the resources we have and to minimize disruption to essential services. At this time, no final decisions have been made, and we are actively engaging with internal teams and local stakeholders to determine the best path forward,' Vavilala said. Health First Indiana was established to help local health departments address health challenges and make health care equitable to all, Vavilala said. So a reduction in the program will impact the county's ability to expand essential services that address pressing public health issues, she said. 'With fewer resources, we may have to scale back or delay programs that directly address health disparities, connect residents to care, and support long-term prevention. This not only limits the reach of our work but also slows progress toward measurable improvements in community health outcomes,' Vavilala said. akukulka@
Chicago Tribune
17-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Lake, Porter counties navigate Health First Indiana budget cuts
The Lake County Health Department will shift its plan for its Health First Indiana key performance indicator for maternal and child health as its program funding from 2025 to 2026 will drastically decrease. Health First Indiana was created by Senate Enrolled Act 4, which was legislation that passed in the 2023 legislative session, to address public health in Indiana. The program establishes a public health infrastructure through a state and local partnership where each county, after choosing to opt in, can determine which health services to invest in based on community needs. The state funded the program $75 million in fiscal year 2024 and $150 million in fiscal year 2025. For fiscal years 2026 and 2027, Health First Indiana will be funded $40 million per year, $80 million total, said Porter County Health Department Administrator Carrie Gschwind. Porter County received approximately $3.39 million in Health First Indiana funds in 2025, and has been notified it will receive approximately $906,000 in 2026, Gschwind said. 'We will have to cut some programming with the 73% reduction and are currently working with our team and partners to determine the most strategic course of action to make the most impact on the health outcomes of the residents of Porter County, keeping in mind those county-level key performance indicators, in light of the reduced funding,' Gschwind said. Lake County Health Department Administrator Sheila Paul told the Lake County Council Tuesday the department will take a 'big gut punch' after learning it would receive $2.5 million in Health First Indiana funding in 2026 compared to the $9 million received in 2025. 'Lake County deserves a public health infrastructure that is proactive, not reactive. Continued investment is key to making that vision a reality,' said Lake County Health Officer Dr. Chandana Vavilala. As part of the Health First Indiana program, Lake County established a goal to decrease the rate of mothers not receiving early prenatal care from 33.7% in 2022 to 28% in 2027. Another goal under the same umbrella is to decrease the count of congenital syphilis cases in Lake County from 4 in 2023 to zero in 2027. Initially, the Lake County Health Department had planned to hire six people to meet its key performance indicator for maternal and child health, Paul told the council. But with the decrease in funding, that program was scrapped, she said. Vavilala told the Post-Tribune the plan was to open two maternal health clinics – in the northern and southern portions of the county – staffed with a dedicated team of nurse practitioners, social workers and clerical staff. The clinics and staff would provide comprehensive support to expectant mothers, including prenatal care access, social support and child safety education, Vavilala said. 'Our vision was to take a holistic approach to maternal and infant health, targeting the systemic factors that contribute to poor outcomes,' Vavilala said. 'Disappointingly, with the potential reduction in Health First Indiana funding, we will not have the resources to staff or equip these clinics.' But Vavilala said Lake County is committed to improving prenatal care access. Department officials will continue to work closely with community partners and enhance internal education and outreach to support maternal and child health throughout the county, she said. 'Establishing two fully staffed clinics would require significant investment overall,' Vavilala said. 'While we continue to believe in the importance of these services, the financial realities make this model unsustainable under the revised funding.' Beyond this programming, Vavilala said the Lake County Health Department is still evaluating how else the reduced funds may impact programming. 'Our goal is to maximize impact with the resources we have and to minimize disruption to essential services. At this time, no final decisions have been made, and we are actively engaging with internal teams and local stakeholders to determine the best path forward,' Vavilala said. Health First Indiana was established to help local health departments address health challenges and make health care equitable to all, Vavilala said. So a reduction in the program will impact the county's ability to expand essential services that address pressing public health issues, she said. 'With fewer resources, we may have to scale back or delay programs that directly address health disparities, connect residents to care, and support long-term prevention. This not only limits the reach of our work but also slows progress toward measurable improvements in community health outcomes,' Vavilala said.
