Research

The IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health is home to world-renowned, leading researchers that are helping to improve health in Indiana and beyond. Our faculty regularly publish in prestigious academic journals, and present at conferences and events around the world.

What qualities contribute to effective state health officials (SHOs)? Public health leadership has been analyzed and written about, but few studies have examined the personal characteristics and experiences of state health leaders and what their leadership looks like in the context of their state. 

The SHO-CASE Study is the first national resource of state health official historical data gathered to better understand and analyze the qualities and backgrounds of potential candidates, to best prepare them for the job and to avoid career derailment. 

Rising health care costs are of concern to Indiana consumers, employers, policymakers, health care providers, and other health care stakeholders, especially because of poor health outcomes in the state. Several recent analyses have elevated the discussion about the prices of hospital care in our state. However, many factors contribute to overall health care costs beyond price. Any policy interventions, based upon a limited understanding of the larger context, unnecessarily risks positioning stakeholders against each other without addressing the overall problem. This report is motivated by the need to move Indiana towards lower overall health care costs especially through concerted efforts that will improve the health of Hoosiers.