Indiana (WFIE) – The Indiana Department of Health has awarded nearly $8.5 million in grants to organizations working to improve the health of Indiana as part of the Health Issues and Challenges Initiative Funded by the Rescue Program Act.
This is the second round of grants provided through the program, following the $35 million announced last June.
“Public health is built on prevention and access, and we are pleased to use the remaining funding allocated by our lawmakers to support programs that help improve the health and well-being of Indians,” said Dr. Chris, State Health Commissioner, Dr. FACOG. “These items are delivered locally and arrive where they live.”
Entities are invited to apply for funding for programs that help improve health outcomes related to one or more of the following priority areas: tobacco use, food insecurity/obesity, lead exposure, chronic disease and disease prevention programs, including community paramedical and community health workers .
A total of 117 institutions submitted applications, and a total of 27 awards were awarded.
Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate high need and high impact in their grant proposals. Funding includes:
- More than $2.2 million spent on chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes and cancer
- $3.5 million for community health workers
- $1 million to support community paramedical programs in Clark, Posey and Wabash counties
- Nearly $1.6 million to address food insecurity and obesity in Marion, Lake, Jennings and Vanderbilt counties, as well as Northwest Indiana
- Nearly $91,000 for lead prevention projects in local health departments in Kosciusko, Clark, Franklin and Orange counties
- Nearly $32,000 awarded to the Porter County Health Department for tobacco prevention and cessation programs
Funds must be spent by December 31, 2026. Click here for a list of grantees and more information about the program.
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