Indiana health care, business community join forces to improve public health

Indiana hospitals today joined with others in the health care and business community to launch the Alliance for a Healthier Indiana, which will work to address key public health challenges, beginning with tobacco use – the leading cause of preventable death in the state. Other key health issues for the state include opioid abuse, obesity and infant mortality. Initial members of the alliance include the Indiana Hospital Association, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana State Medical Association and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana. “Having healthy citizens is vital to the state’s economy and to our quality of life,” said Bryan Mills, CEO of Community Health Network, an integrated health care system based in Indianapolis. “We recognize that Indiana faces some important health challenges. It is going to require a focused plan of action and the support of state legislators, hospitals, the business community and all Hoosiers to significantly move the needle.” For more on the initiative, visit http://healthierindiana.org.