Health Equity Research & Engagement

Our mission is to deliver equitable patient access, experiences and outcomes

Health Equity Banner Draft v2

IU Health established the Office of Health Equity Research and Engagement (HERE) in 2021.

The office examines internal operations and clinical care through the lens of its diverse patients and communities.

Our focus is on equitable patient access, experiences and quality outcomes.

About Us

Purpose

Ensure every patient, particularly the historically excluded and underserved, experience IU Health as a physically and psychologically safe and welcoming place to receive high-quality care.

Values

We do so by focusing on data monitoring and transparency to enhance trustworthiness; rigor in research and evidence-based interventions to optimize effectiveness; and engagement with patients, communities, and stakeholders to increase responsiveness.

Mission

In doing so, we will deliver equitable patient access, experiences and outcomes.

Meet IU Health chief health equity officer Brownsyne Tucker Edmonds, MD. "Part of this ... is bringing an equity lens [to the many] conversations that are happening."

What is health equity?

Health equity means that "everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible", according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care."

Priority Areas

Our goal is to address, impact and make lasting change in the societal, institutional and interpersonal health inequities in across Indiana. Our priority areas include:

  • Cardiovascular
  • Maternal/infant health
  • Behavioral health
HERE Banner v4

Our Priorities

What is health equity?

Health equity means that "everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible", according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care."

Priority Areas

Our goal is to address, impact and make lasting change in the societal, institutional and interpersonal health inequities in across Indiana. Our priority areas include:

  • Cardiovascular
  • Maternal/infant health
  • Behavioral health
HERE Banner v4

Our Work

Access

• iHEART: Heart Health Equity Outreach

• Cradle Indy

• HEAL - Health Equity Advocacy Leadership Council

Experience

• BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Doula Training Program

• Trauma-informed care

• Equity Talk

• iDream

Outcomes

• Health Equity dashboard

• REaL (Race, Ethnicity, Language) Data Collection

• SOGI (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity) Data Collection

• Hypertension steering committee

• Infant maternal mortality committee

• HEAL-R

Meet IU Health executive director for health equity Dr. Stacy Grundy. "I really feel like this is my ministry. For me public health is more than just a job."

Featured News

This champion is passionate about spreading health care equity throughout the state image.
We are IU Health

Feb 23

This champion is passionate about spreading health care equity throughout the state

It takes a team effort to serve a community in need. In her role as Vice President of Community Health Operations, Nichole Wilson has a plan that reaches well beyond the hospital walls. By IU Health Senior Journalist, TJ Banes, tfender1@iuealth.org There are certain words that Nichole Wilson uses…

Doctor focused on liver health: ‘I’m a big health equity champion’ image.
We are IU Health

Dec 14

Doctor focused on liver health: ‘I’m a big health equity champion’

IU Health’s Dr. Lauren Nephew is passionate about her role caring for some of the sickest patients. She is also keenly aware of the need for equitable access to transplantation by vulnerable patients. By IU Health Senior Journalist, T.J. Banes, tfender1@iuhealth.org Her patients talk about her open…

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Resources