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For Immediate Release
March 4, 2026
2025 Community Health Assessment reflects needs, concerns in Marion County
INDIANAPOLIS - The Marion County Public Health Department is releasing the results of its
2025 Community Health Assessment, identifying the most pressing health needs of residents of all ages.
The assessment process provided a high level of engagement with residents and community partners to learn more about what is happening in the community and will result in developing a plan for next steps to achieve better health for all residents in Marion County.
More than 4,500 residents completed a detailed community survey, while community members and leaders were interviewed to gain insight from people with unique experiences, needs and challenges. Plus, more than 200 community partners and leaders were invited to take part in this process to share what they see as priorities.
The top five concerns identified through the health assessment are: Mental Health/Wellbeing, Access to Health Care, Housing, Trauma/Injury Prevention, and Infant Mortality.
“This report not only details the health status of Marion County residents, but it also provides in-depth information on their living circumstances and their lifestyles” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director and chief medical officer of the Marion County Public Health Department. “These findings should generate action across the community to improve the health of our residents.”
The 2025 Community Health Assessment includes survey results, as well as findings from conversations with residents and partners, and combines them into one resource with the goal of providing bold action to achieve better health for Marion County residents.
“A tremendous amount of work and bold action is needed to support Marion County residents in achieving their best level of health,” said Dr. Caine.
While some residents are doing well, living in vibrant, well-maintained communities with easily accessible amenities, others feel neglected, unable to access a grocery store or park conveniently, and fearful of violence in their community.
“Feedback from the public and other interested individuals will be used to refine and validate the key findings of the assessment,” said Elizabeth Bowman, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., administrator of epidemiology at the Marion County Public Health Department. “The findings will be used to generate a Community Health Improvement Plan, or CHIP, which will guide work to improve community health for the next several years.”
The report recognizes that Marion County is fortunate to have caring, committed, highly talented and energetic residents with an outstanding health care infrastructure and partner network, including academic institutions, governmental agencies, community and civic organizations, and policy makers.
The full 2025 Community Health Assessment report for Marion County is available to download here.
Media Contact
Curt Brantingham
cbrantingham@hhcorp.org
317-221-2316 (o) │ 317-525-7450 (c)