Center for Health Policy

The Center for Health Policy (CHP) is the research hub of the department of Health Policy and Management. Our mission is to generate evidence that informs decision-making in Indiana and beyond. Recent reports and publications are also highlighted on the CHP LinkedIn page.

CHP Fellows and staff conduct rigorous research and evaluation on health system performance and health policy issues, with a specific focus on: population health and analytics; substance misuse and mental health services; and public health systems and services research.

The CHP has a vibrant research portfolio including funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, various state and local agencies including the Indiana Department of Health, Marion County Department of Health, Indiana Primary Health Care Association, Indiana Department of Correction, as well as other government agencies state and nationwide.

Learn more about the CHP and download a brochure

CHP staff and faculty

Valerie A. Yeager, DrPH, MPhil
Interim Director

David Ajayi, MSc
Policy Analyst

Jyotsna Gutta, MPH
Research Specialist

Keeley Higley, MA
Health Policy Analyst

Hannah King, MPH
Health Policy Analyst

Cassidy McNamee, MPH
Health Policy Analyst

Lindsey Sanner, MPH
Program Management Leader

Curtis Williamson, MSW, LCSW
Health Policy Analyst

View Health Policy and Management faculty

Research Briefs

The Center for Health Policy's mission is to generate evidence that informs decision-making in Indiana and beyond. The research briefs below are intended to aid policymakers, health leaders and the general public in health policy decision-making.

Seminar Series

Each year, the Department of Health Policy & Management Seminar Series features experts from across the nation. Hosted by the Center for Health Policy, speakers present current research in the areas of health economics, health information technology, health law, national and state health policy, management, and health services research.

Seminar Series

Understanding costs of care in Indiana

Rising health care costs in Indiana, coupled with relatively poor health outcomes, are of concern to Indiana leaders. Our original 2020 report examined the factors that affect health care costs and provided recommendations for Indiana stakeholders. In 2024 we updated select aspects of our original report with more contemporary information regarding Indiana’s health care business landscape.

Cost of Care Study

Addressing Factors that Affect Health Care Costs: Recommendations for Indiana Stakeholders (2020)

Update: Costs of Care in Indiana

Characterizing the Indiana Context: An Update to Understanding Costs of Care in the State (2024)

State Epidemiological Reports

Issue Briefs

Data Portal

Technical Reports

Drivers of Substance Misuse and Addiction In Indiana
Findings of our in-depth interviews with Hoosiers with a history of addiction indicated that the majority of respondents initiated substance use when they were between 13 and 18 years of age; they most frequently reported experimenting with marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco products. As respondents continued use, ‘chasing the high’ became one of the primary motivations and led to use of harder drugs, in the continued attempt to quell unpleasant emotions or past traumatizing experiences. When addiction ensued, participants frequently experienced homelessness, incarceration, unemployment, etc. Ongoing substance use also impacted their physical and mental health. Most respondents mentioned a history of mental health conditions, and many stated that drug use exacerbated their mental health. Moreover, three-fourths of respondents indicated having intensified thoughts of suicide resulting from substance use. Nearly all of our participants described impactful life moments, which changed their mindset and helped them move toward treatment and recovery. Having reliable social connections was found to be a paramount factor for seeking treatment and being in recovery. However, seeking treatment was not without barriers for this population. Respondents cited lack of insurance coverage as well as stigma and judgment from peers or providers as primary factors for either not seeking or discontinuing treatment.

The Impact of Indiana's Community Mental Health Centers
Indiana’s Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) provide comprehensive mental health care to persons of all ages who suffer from mental illness or substance use disorders. The 24 CMHCs focus on serving economically disadvantaged Hoosiers and those who typically encounter difficulties accessing care. The services CMHCs provide to their communities include inpatient and outpatient treatment, crisis services, child and adolescent services, services for the elderly, substance use services, residential services, peer-led services, and more. CMHCs have a positive impact on Indiana’s economy. The overall economic footprint of CMHCs statewide is nearly $1.4 billion.

Partnerships for Success (PFS) – Final Report
Partnerships for Success (PFS) is a federal grant program administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Indiana’s PFS initiative was funded in 2015 through the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) to reduce prescription drug misuse among Hoosiers aged 12 to 25 years old, and to decrease underage drinking among 12- to 20-year-olds. This is the final report discussing work carried out by researchers from the Fairbanks School of Public Health, in tandem with the State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW). The report provides the findings from two community surveys of Indiana young adults as well as exit interviews with state and community PFS program directors or coordinators.

Partnerships for Success (PFS): Young Adult Interview Results (Phase 2). Between January and March of 2019, the second phase of the Indiana Young Adults Survey was administered to a sample of 18- to 25-year-olds in each of the 10 PFS-funded communities, including Cass, Clark, Floyd, Knox, Lake, Madison, Marion, Porter, Scott, and Vanderburgh counties. Survey respondents were asked if they would like to be contacted for a follow-up interview. A total of 32 interviews were completed; each participant received a $25 Amazon gift card for their time.

The goal of the interviews was to gain a deeper understanding of substance use behaviors, perceptions, and attitudes among young adults in these communities.

Laporte Report
The opioid epidemic continues to affect the lives of many Americans. Paralleling the rise in prescription opioid (pain reliever) sales over the past two decades, the country also experienced an increase in opioid-related morbidity and mortality. In Indiana alone, 270,000 residents ages 12 and older reported misusing prescription opioids, and 24,000 reported heroin use in the past year. The percentage of substance use treatment admissions related to opioid misuse, prescription or illicit, has increased steadily. In more than half (57%) of all treatment admissions in LaPorte County in 2017, the misuse of an opioid was reported. Furthermore, nearly 100 LaPorte County residents died of a fatal drug overdose between 2012 and 2016.

Based on findings from the LaPorte County survey and key informant interviews that were conducted in the community, respondents cited lack of or limited access to treatment services, especially detoxification, inpatient services, and medication-assisted treatment, as a major challenge in dealing with the epidemic. Furthermore, socio-economic factors, such as poverty and unemployment, and limited awareness or acceptance of the problem within the larger community, together with insufficient funding to address the problem, were described as contributing factors.

Key Findings and Recommendations from the 2013 IPLA INSPECT Knowledge and Use Survey (published 2014)
The Center for Health Policy in collaboration with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and the State Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force Education Committee developed a web-based survey to gather information on prescribers and dispensers knowledge, use, and opinions of INSPECT as well as to assess prescribers and dispensers attitudes and beliefs about prescribing and dispensing opioids. Key findings suggest that both providers and dispensers are strongly supportive and frequent users of the INSPECT program; the majority of users believe INSPECT is generally effective and a valuable tool in state-wide efforts to reduce the misuse, abuse, and diversion of prescription drugs.

The Indiana INSPECT Evaluation: Key Findings and Recommendations from a Descriptive Analysis of INSPECT Data (published 2014)
The purpose of this report is to provide a descriptive analysis of 2011-2013 INSPECT data. Most of the controlled substances dispensed in the observed time period were opioids, especially hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen combinations (e.g., Vicodin). Benzodiazepines also contributed to a large portion of dispensations. Potential doctor-shoppers were more likely to be younger and had filled a higher number of opioid prescriptions than individuals characterized as non-shoppers. More dispensations of opioid analgesics were attributable to MDs than any other profession with prescription privileges.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Needs Assessment for Marion County (published 2010)
This needs assessment was conducted for Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis (MHAGI). The purpose was to examine prevalence, consequences, and correlates of mental illness and substance abuse in Marion County.

Community Needs Assessment

In a community needs assessment (CNA), we collect data to identify major health and social service needs, and determine the gaps between a community’s needs and their available resources. These data may be obtained through administrative records, surveys, focus groups and interviews, public meetings, or direct observations. CNAs provide community leaders with a snapshot of the local landscape, and help prioritize central health issues and areas for improvement.

Community Behavioral Health Needs Assessment (CBHNA) for Howard County
This report assesses the behavioral health needs and service gaps in Howard County, Indiana. It was developed in collaboration with Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health – Howard, a Division of Mental Health and Addiction designated Community Mental Health Center as well as a recipient of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Center award. The key issues that were identified included: Sustainable funding, workforce development, programs and services, social determinants of health, and stigma.
Marion County Community Mental Health Needs Assessment
This report assesses the mental health needs and service gaps in Marion County, Indiana. It was developed in collaboration with the four Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) designated Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs): Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center, Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health, Aspire Indiana Health, and Adult and Child Health. The key issues that were identified included: Sustainable funding for CMHCs, workforce development, treatment access and services, system coordination, and stigma reduction.
LaPorte Opioid Addiction Needs Assessment
This study was sponsored by the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte. Based on findings from the LaPorte County survey and key informant interviews, respondents cited limited access to treatment services, especially detoxification, inpatient services, and medication-assisted treatment, as a major challenge in dealing with the opioid epidemic. Furthermore, socio-economic factors, such as poverty and unemployment, limited awareness of the problem within the larger community, and insufficient funding to address the opioid epidemic, were described as contributing factors.

Center for Health Policy