Indianapolis-primarily based Eskenazi Overall health is launching a $60 million multiyear campaign aimed at decreasing wellness inequities in its service region, according to a March 27 Indianapolis Star report.

The public hospital method, which operates the flagship 333-bed Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital in the city, has designated 3 wellness equity zones centered about its key care facilities in unique residential locations exactly where it will engage with the nearby communities to establish priorities for enhancing wellness outcomes, the report mentioned. 

Additional employees, which includes doulas and neighborhood wellness workers, will be employed in the designated zones. Mental wellness will be yet another major priority of the new initiative, with existing demand for such solutions far outstripping provide, the report mentioned. 

To date, about $36 million has been devoted to the system, but far more will be necessary, specifically if it is expanded across the complete city.

“If we’re going to seriously alter the wellness of our neighborhood, we’re not going to do this in 5 years,” mentioned Ernest Vargo II, president and CEO of the Eskenazi Overall health Foundation. “We seriously see this as a 20-year initiative.”