The Indiana State Medical Association is proud to be a founding member of the Alliance for a Healthier Indiana, a group of health care professionals, advocates and community and business leaders who are committed to improving the health of our state.

Community Health Network CEO Bryan Mills conceived the Alliance in late 2016 in response to Indiana’s low standing in America’s Health Rankings Report. Indiana consistently fell below most other states for citizens’ overall health, smoking rate, opioid abuse, infant mortality, obesity and public health funding, among other metrics.

The results have hurt us all: higher health care spending, difficulties for employers who want to provide health insurance, premature deaths, poor work and school attendance and perpetuation of poverty. In addition, the poor rankings create a negative image for Indiana, which can make it more difficult to recruit new businesses and professionals looking for a healthy place to live, work and raise a family.

The Alliance’s first priority has been advocacy and education to substantially reduce tobacco usage, the leading cause of preventable death in Indiana. In coming years, we will tackle obesity, infant mortality and opioid abuse.

To learn more about the Alliance for a Healthier Indiana, our activities and priorities, visit HealthierIndiana.org and follow the Alliance on Facebook.