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Health Equity

When individuals have access to preventive care, treatment for chronic conditions, and mental health support, they are better able to work, learn, and contribute to society. Equitable healthcare ensures that no one is left behind due to cost, location, or systemic barriers. By investing in comprehensive healthcare—including physical, mental, and preventive services—we create a stronger, more resilient Indianapolis where every person has the opportunity to live a full and healthy life.

Achieving health equity in Marion County and Indianapolis means improving access to necessary services, particularly in areas with significant shortages or barriers, such as mental health care and substance use treatment. It also requires tackling systemic issues that disproportionately affect marginalized and underserved communities.

Marion County ranks 86 out of 92 Indiana counties on health outcomes, making the county among the bottom 25% in the state. Estimates from the Marion County Community Mental Health Needs Assessment suggest that in 2022, nearly 26,000 adults were not able to receive treatment for serious mental illness. As a result, a majority (66%) of Marion County residents who needed treatment for a serious mental illness did not receive it.

86th of 92

Marion County ranks 86th out of 92 Indiana counties on health outcomes, making the county among the bottom 25% in the state

66%

A majority (66%) of Marion County residents who needed treatment for a serious mental illness did not receive it

35.7%

35.7% of youth … felt so sad or hopeless for two or more weeks in a row they stopped doing usual activities — an increase of 7% from 2016

27.7%

27.7% of high school students … seriously considered attempting suicide in 2021
Mental health and well-being

Marion County’s mental health provider ratio in 2022 was 291:1. To address the shortage of providers, Marion County offers evidence-based strategies that include crisis lines, employee assistance programs (EAP), mental health first aid, and social services integration. When mental health issues are left untreated, there is an economic burden at the societal level. These costs include indirect costs due to unemployment and workplace absenteeism.

Heightened focus on mental health issues for Marion County youth also emerged in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic when children reported increased feelings of anxiety, stress, fear, and isolation.

“ Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane. ”

Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Gun violence also impacts the mental health and well-being of community members. Firearms pose a risk factor for suicide deaths and unintentional injuries. High levels of exposure to firearm violence for both children and adults have led to a “cycle of trauma and fear within our communities, contributing to the nation’s mental health crisis,” according to the 2024 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence.

Neighborhood gun violence has immediate adverse effects on children’s mental health that must be mitigated. This will require both community-based support for children exposed to violence as well as employing trauma-informed approaches when children visit the emergency room, both during the visit and afterward.

Current State

With a substantial correlation to race and place, Indianapolis and Marion County residents have vastly different health outcomes. Communities of color and low-income residents are most vulnerable to social impediments to health which affect 80% of health outcomes, and lack access to healthcare systems for quality and culturally competent care. Additionally, the clinical healthcare workforce is not representative of the populations being served, which further impacts the quality of care provided.

Health Strategies and Tactics
  1. Address the root causes of violent crime and recidivism through the sustained leadership of the Elevation Grant Program.
    1. Engage individuals with lived experience and organizations most proximate to the issue to ideate, support, and develop solutions to mitigate and/or respond to gun violence.
    2. Continue to partner with the City of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Department of Public Safety, and other local stakeholders to coordinate and leverage efforts that support gun violence reduction.
    3. Support organizations that provide trauma-informed training for healthcare providers, social workers, educators, and community leaders to help individuals affected by gun violence and mitigate its long-term impact on mental health.
  2. Enhance health outcomes by eliminating social impediments to health and promoting social connection.
    1. Explore, pilot, and launch programs and activities that decrease social isolation by promoting a sense of connection, belonging, and meaning.
    2. Engage public health agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders to form a coalition that will examine and address healthcare disparities in Marion County related to income, geography, and other systemic factors.
    3. Increase access to recreational and educational opportunities for youth in underserved communities to provide positive alternatives and reduce the likelihood of involvement in violence.
  3. Improve the mental health of youth by expanding access to high-quality, culturally competent, coordinated mental health and trauma support services.
    1. Invest in the capacity, technical expertise, and networks of grassroots providers, including relationships with clinicians and policymakers.
    2. Launch a renewable fund for community-based practitioners.
    3. Engage in public policy and advocacy efforts to improve access and expand coverage.