Indiana State Department of Health

Two State Agencies Add New Chief Medical Officers

By Jill Sheridan • Aug 7, 2018

Dr. Melissa Collier, left, will join the state health department and Dr. Daniel Rusyniak, right, will join the state Family and Social Services Administration. (Photos courtesy of LinkedIn, Indiana University)

Two Indiana agencies named new chief medical officers, or CMOs, to lead efforts to improve the health of Hoosiers.

Health Dept. Reports First Indiana Death Associated With Hep-A Outbreak

By Barbara Brosher • Jul 12, 2018

The state says it’s confirmed the first death in Indiana associated with a multi-state Hepatitis A outbreak.

The Indiana State Department of Health isn’t releasing any more information about the death, citing privacy laws.

Hepatitis A is a highly-contagious liver disease that can be spread through fecal-oral means. Someone can contract the virus through contact with an infected person or contaminated food.

Indiana Maternal Mortality Focus Of Review

By Jill Sheridan • Jun 18, 2018

2f7f3976-8a8a-4717-a670-1fa911e51e7c — Photo courtesy of Riley Children’s Health

Indiana has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, and efforts to find out why are underway. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the Maternal Mortality Review Committee bill recently. Side Effects Public Media reporter Lauren Bavis took a closer look at the issue and talked about it with Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Jill Sheridan.

Bill Going Into Effect In July Opens Previously-Closed Adoption Records

By Barbara Brosher • Jun 15, 2018

After decades of waiting, Hoosiers put up for adoption during the state’s closed adoptions era could soon learn more about their birth families. A bill passed two years ago means that starting in July, most adoption records from 1941 to 1993 will be open.

Many adoptees are hoping it will provide clarity to their lifelong questions. Ryan Griffith has a lot as he flips through pages of his baby book.

New Program Provides Meals To Hoosiers Living With HIV

By Jill Sheridan • Jun 5, 2018

A Meals On Wheels meal, delivered in Sarasota, Florida. (Roger W/Flickr)

A new state program will deliver medically tailored meals to people with HIV in Indiana. The Ryan’s Meals for Life project is funded by a $1 million grant from the Indiana State Department of Health.

Counties Want Out Of New Indiana Abortion Lawsuit

By Brandon Smith • May 2, 2018

Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky CEO Christie Gillespie (left) and ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk discuss a recent victory in an abortion lawsuit. (Brandon Smith/IPB News) — Brandon Smith

Three Indiana county prosecutors don’t want to defend the state’s new anti-abortion law against a suit brought by Planned Parenthood.

Synthetic Marijuana Linked To Severe Bleeding

By Jill Sheridan • Mar 30, 2018

(Public domain/U.S. Marines) — Lauren Chapman

The Indiana State Department of Health, ISDH, issued a warning this week about the dangers of synthetic marijuana after severe bleeding was associated with cases in Indiana and Illinois.

Two cases have been recorded in Indiana, more in Illinois. ISDH Deputy Health Commissioner Pam Pontones says there are numerous chemicals in these illegal substances that are not regulated.

More Overdose Reversal Drug Coming To Rural Indiana Counties

By Jill Sheridan • Feb 1, 2018

The Indiana State Department of Health has awarded $127,000 in naloxone kits to rural Indiana counties. The opioid overdose reversal medication is going to the counties with high numbers of emergency room overdose visits.

Thirty-four rural counties will receive nearly 3,400 naloxone kits, to be distributed to first responders. The federal grant money is part of a larger $3.2 million gift the state received last year.

Nonprofit Agency Ranks Indiana 23rd In Nation For Hospital Safety

By Ryan Flanery • Oct 31, 2017

Indiana ranks in the middle of the country for its hospitals’ safety grades.

About one-third of 59 Indiana acute care facilities surveyed by the LeapFrog Group received As in a report released Tuesday.

LeapFrog spokesperson Erica Mobley says the report is designed to provide patients with information on how to protect themselves when visiting a hospital.

HPV Vaccine Part Of Plan To Reduce Cancer Deaths

By Jill Sheridan • Oct 9, 2017

There’s a strategic planning effort underway at the Indiana State Department of Health to reduce the number of cervical cancer deaths. It’s prompted by legislation from the 2017 session. The plan includes a push to increase the number of young people who get the human papillomavirus vaccine.

HPV is the single greatest risk factor for cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine can help prevent that cancer but ISDH cancer control director Keylee Wright says less than half of all youth were vaccinated in 2016.

Indiana State Department of Health

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