IU Indianapolis leading evaluation efforts for new Indy Health District

IU Indianapolis has been named the lead evaluator for the newly launched Indy Health District, Inc. (IHD), a nonprofit organization committed to addressing health inequities in the near north side of Indianapolis. The health district’s formation was inspired by life expectancy data provided by the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IU Indianapolis, which highlighted stark disparities in health outcomes across different neighborhoods in the city.

The Indy Health District spans a 1,500-acre area from downtown Indianapolis to Crown Hill Cemetery and aims to transform local communities by focusing on socioeconomic and health disparities. The initiative is a result of years of collaboration between anchor institutions such as IU Health, Ivy Tech Community College, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and Citizens Energy Group, as well as five neighborhood associations including Crown Hill, Highland Vicinity, Historic Flanner House Homes, Meridian Highland and Ransom Place.

The evaluation effort is conducted in partnership with The Polis Center and Health by Design, two organizations with extensive experience in public health, urban design and community-based solutions. Together, with the Fairbanks School, the organizations will track the success of IHD’s initiatives, ensuring transparency and accountability through data-driven insights.

“With the support of The Polis Center and Health by Design, we look forward to leveraging that data and providing actionable feedback that will help create healthier, more equitable communities,” said Yeager.

The Indy Health District focuses on six key principles to improve quality of life for residents and workers: equitable socioeconomic impact, smart land use and transportation, health-promoting infrastructure, access to high-quality healthcare, community-centric education and research, and establishing connections between the community and anchor institutions.

Yeager added, “The Indy Health District is a community-guided initiative. IHD leaders have been working closely with members of the community and neighborhood associations throughout the development of the nonprofit.”

Indy Health District previously held an open house in November 2023 to discuss community perspectives regarding food insecurity. The first official community gathering event for the Indy Health District will be held in November 2024.