Indiana Sets Health Priorities; Unsafe Food, HIV Among Plan's Targets

Indiana health officials on Monday released a five-year plan to reduce the burden of HIV, STDs and viral hepatitis along with other priorities identified as having the most significant influence on health and illness in the state. The plan was developed partly on the basis of CDC's "Winnable Battles" -- conditions that have a large health impact and known, effective strategies to address them.

The Indiana State Health Improvement Plan (ISHIP) focuses on six health priorities, "as well as key system improvements that, when achieved, will significantly impact health in Indiana," said Dr. Deborah McMahan, Allen County's health commissioner and a member of the executive committee that developed the plan.

The executive committee hopes that "every public health system partner will identify activities in the plan which will enable them to contribute to the improvement of health outcomes in Indiana," McMahan said. "[ISHIP] is founded on the premise that together, Indiana public health system partners can make a difference."

"Successful implementation can occur only through collaboration among individuals, public, private, governmental and nonprofit organizations," Dr. Gregory Larkin, state health commissioner, said in a news release.

To view the release, visit: www.in.gov/portal/news_events/71833.htm.

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