STATEHOUSE (Feb. 25, 2022) – State Reps. Alan Morrison (R-Brazil) and Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) are looking forward to local communities tackling health challenges like diabetes and obesity through a new state grant they helped create.
In 2021, Morrison and Baird supported a law creating the Indiana Health Issues and Challenges Grants, which will award $50 million to local and statewide service providers, and planning organizations to address longstanding problems. Now, the Indiana Department of Health is accepting grant applications, and Morrison said he hopes local providers like health departments, municipalities and nonprofit organizations apply.
"Investing more in preventing some of these health problems can boost our overall public health, productivity and economy," Morrison said. "The pandemic really highlighted why it's critical for us to address chronic health issues, and I look forward to seeing the benefits of this bill in our local communities."
Baird said funding can be used to prevent or reduce mental and physical health issues for Hoosiers, including in the areas of tobacco use, food insecurity, obesity, lead exposure, hepatitis C, and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and cancer.
"Some of Indiana's national health rankings demonstrate the need for addressing these persistent health challenges," Baird said. "We need to be more proactive if our state is to continue being a top destination for families and businesses in the Midwest."
Applications for Indiana Health Issues and Challenges Grants are due by March 31, 2022, with award notices issued by the Indiana Department of Health by July 1, 2022.
For more information and to apply, Baird encourages organizations to visit in.gov/health/grant-opportunities and click on "Health Issues and Challenges Grant."
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State Rep. Alan Morrison (R-Brazil) represents House District 42,
which includes all of Vermillion County and portions of Clay, Fountain, Parke, Vigo and Warren counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) represents House District 44,
which includes all of Putnam County and portions of Clay, Morgan, Owen and Parke counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
