Hoosiers Reap the Benefits of Indiana’s Health First Initiative: How Public Health Funding is Revolutionizing Local Services

In 2024, all but six local health departments opted to receive a total of $75 million, a significant increase from the $7 million shared annually before the expansion of public health funding. The Health First Indiana initiative, a result of 2023 legislation that revamped the state’s public health system, gives county elected officials the decision-making power to accept funding for additional core public health services.

To receive the funding, counties must allocate at least 60 percent of it towards “core preventative services” such as immunizations, chronic disease prevention, and maternal and child health. The Indiana Department of Health emphasized the importance of allowing local health departments to decide how the funding is allocated based on their communities’ needs.

Governor Eric Holcomb praised the full participation, stating that the investment will benefit Hoosiers by improving their health. He expressed gratitude to local officials, health departments, and legislative leaders for embracing the initiative and implementing new health strategies.

Crawford, Fountain, Harrison, Johnson, Wells, and Whitley counties will be joining the initiative in 2025. A list of the counties and the amount of money each will receive can be accessed on the state’s Health First Indiana website.

For more information on this topic, reach out to Abigail, our health reporter, at aruhman@wboi.org.