By KEN SEVERSON
Media Relations Coordinator, Office of Public Affairs

INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana State Department of Health launched the Healthy Hoosiers Foundation today as an innovative way to fund programs designed to help Indiana residents lead healthier lives.

“Every day, staff at the Indiana State Department of Health work to create a healthier and safer Indiana,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams. “The Healthy Hoosiers Foundation will help expand this critical work by providing an avenue to increase initiatives that promote the health and well-being of Hoosiers.”

The Foundation is a registered 501c3 nonprofit that was established as a result of legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Mike Pence. It will provide funding for initiatives at the ISDH, such as those designed to reduce infant mortality, increase childhood immunizations and reduce obesity and smoking rates.

“I am honored to be part of today’s kick-off,” said First Lady Karen Pence, who joined the ISDH at today’s launch. “Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of Hoosier families.”

Money raised by the Foundation will support the Baby and Me Tobacco Free program that helps pregnant women quit smoking. Smoking while pregnant is one of the main causes of low birth weight in newborns, which is a leading indicator of infant mortality. Indiana consistently ranks in the bottom states nationally for the number of children who die before their first birthdays. From 2003 through 2012, an average of 654 infants died each year in Indiana.

“This is a startling and devastating statistic,” said Deputy State Health Commissioner Jennifer Walthall. “Labor of Love is helping to address this by connecting women and new parents with the resources they need to give their babies the best chance at life.”

Pregnant women who enroll in the Baby and Me Tobacco Free program receive a $25 voucher for diapers for each month that they are smoke-free after the baby is born. The Indiana State Department of Health currently funds this program in 11 counties and hopes to expand with additional funding from the foundation. 

Visit www.in.gov/isdh/HHF for more information about the foundation.

Visit the Indiana State Department of Health at www.StateHealth.in.gov for important health and safety information, or check it out on Facebook.