Health Care & Benefits

The nursing shortage is complex and influenced by several factors. As the population ages, there is increased demand for health care services, which strains the capacity of medical offices and hospitals. Additionally, an aging workforce leads to a greater number of nurses seeking retirement or experiencing chronic conditions impacting their performance. 

Nurses must adapt to an evolving health care landscape. They are expected to understand clinical care and be proficient in handling complex medical equipment and the latest health care advancements.

To address these issues, the CareSource Foundation awarded an $82,000 grant to the Metropolitan Indianapolis-Central Indiana Area Health Education Center, which helps recruit, train and place health care professionals in rural and medically underserved communities. The funding is used to provide medical training scholarships for students and community residents interested in careers as community health workers, certified nursing aides, medical interpreters, or qualified medication aides. CareSource has sponsored Marian University’s Healthcare Camp, which exposes youth from under-resourced communities to careers in health care.

Potential solutions to the nursing shortage include investing in nursing education and training programs, building a pipeline of students interested in nursing at a young age by offering mentoring and scholarship opportunities, providing competitive salaries and benefits, implementing nurse residency programs and creating supportive work environments prioritize professional development and work-life balance.

Since 2021, CareSource provided a gift of $1,000,000 for the Pediatric Nurse Navigation Program at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent. Additionally, almost 60% of the 92 counties in Indiana face a shortage of primary care. CareSource provided a $250,000 gift to Marian University to establish the CareSource Rural Health Endowed Scholarship, exclusively awarded to medical students pursuing careers in a rural setting.

State governments and public health officials are crucial in addressing obesity through policy-making, regulation and public health initiatives. Established policies have improved access to healthy foods, promoted physical activity and increased awareness about balanced diets and regular exercise. Collaboration with schools, communities and healthcare providers is vital.

It is important to enhance efforts to make nutritious food more affordable and accessible. This includes improving education on making healthier, appealing and culturally relevant choices, as well as ensuring there are safe and enjoyable opportunities for physical activity in schools, workplaces and communities.

Successful programs and partnerships addressing inequities typically involve collaboration between health care organizations, community groups and government agencies. Initiatives focused on improving transportation options, increasing access to affordable nutritious food and creating safe spaces for physical activity aim to address underlying social determinants of health. CareSource’s FoodConnect benefit exemplifies this, as it provides free transportation to grocery stores and food banks, assisting members in obtaining healthy food and removing transportation barriers.

The decline in vaccine rates is influenced by multiple factors, including persistent myths about vaccine safety and efficacy, as well as a lack of awareness about their benefits. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach. Public health initiatives, such as targeted education campaigns and increasing vaccine accessibility at health fairs, schools, stores and other common locations, are crucial.

CareSource collaborates with the Indiana Immunization Coalition to host Community Immunization Clinics throughout Indianapolis. These clinics provide all CDC-recommended vaccines, including COVID-19 and pediatric vaccines, for the public.

Keeping Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB), a CareSource partner, collects and analyzes soil throughout the Indianapolis area to identify neighborhoods with unsafe lead levels. They combine this data with other parameters, such as the social vulnerability index, to identify communities that could benefit from greenspaces, which have been shown to reduce lead levels and improve the environment. To date, KIB has created a network of 65 greenspaces throughout Indiana and continues to collect data to measure lead levels and social impact.

Hoosiers represent a diverse population from varied racial, ethnic, social, geographic, religious and economic backgrounds. It is essential we embrace the diversity of our state and ensure every individual has access to safe, high-quality, affordable and equitable health care. Prioritizing health equity is crucial for making a positive public health impact in Indiana.