Eskenazi Health has announced two new initiatives aimed at enhancing maternal health as a result of a year-long effort to assess health barriers in several Central Indiana neighborhoods.

Last year, Eskenazi Health launched three health engagement zones, areas where Eskenazi Health and community partners work together to build healthy neighborhoods by addressing long-term social determinants of health, with the goal of increasing the life expectancy of area residents. Several issues were identified as barriers to health.

"With Indiana scoring low in maternal health outcomes, and Black maternal mortality rates increasing, outreach is vital for these communities," said Kimberly McElroy-Jones, PhD, DMin, chief culture officer at Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County. "Our goal is to turn these numbers around while educating and supporting our neighbors."

The first program being developed is a wraparound initiative to provide a continuum of maternal health services for those living in the Northeast Corridor Health Engagement Zone, which is near the Eskenazi Health Thomas & Arlene Grande Campus at 38th Street and Arlington Avenue. The initiative, Navigating Every Step Together (NEST), works to bridge the systemic gaps that often result in poor maternal and infant health outcomes. Participants will be connected with prenatal care navigation, ensuring each participant can access the medical, emotional and social support needed for a healthy pregnancy.

Eskenazi Health has already identified partners for this project, including the City of Indianapolis, Divine Transitions, Cradle Indy, United Northeast Community Development Corporation (UNEC), and InTouch Outreach. Support for the program is being provided by the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.

“In the Indianapolis metropolitan area there’s a 16.8 life expectancy drop from our neighbors in Hamilton County,” said Deanna Reinoso, M.D., medical director of social determinants of health at Eskenazi Health. “We are exploring creative ways to narrow the life expectancy gap so that everyone in our community who needs it has access to maternal health care that will help them live a long and healthy life.”

The second program launching revolves around transportation issues facing Far Eastside residents centered around East 38 Street and Post Road. The program is called Mothers Get a Lyft, and participants will receive support across the complete maternal health journey, from pregnancy confirmation through postpartum recovery and infant wellness. The program aims to improve health outcomes, build community trust and establish a foundation for lifelong wellness for mothers and babies. The project will begin by engaging the Eskenazi Health Center Grassy Creek medical team in identifying expectant mothers who meet eligibility requirements.

Expectant mothers enrolled in the program will be matched with a community health worker who will help coordinate care, schedule appointments, provide health education and support the individual’s goals and preferences. This model ensures that no one navigates the complex health care system alone. Services include offering Lyft rideshares to health care appointments and utilizing the established Indy Hunger Network programming to provide rides to the nearest SNAP-eligible grocery store for $1. Support for this program is being provided by the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and Cummins.

According to a 2023 study by the Indiana Department of Health and Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana ranked the third worst in maternal mortality in the nation. This can be attributed to multiple negative outcomes in early pregnancy care, prenatal deserts and disparities experienced throughout the process.

Health engagement zones are defined areas where Eskenazi Health and community partners work together to focus on building healthy neighborhoods by addressing long-term social determinants of health, with the goal of increasing the life expectancy of area residents. The health engagement zone initiative was launched at three Eskenazi Health Center sites: Eskenazi Health Center West 38th Street – International Marketplace, Eskenazi Health Thomas & Arlene Grande Campus – Northeast Corridor and Eskenazi Health Center Grassy Creek – Far Eastside. Together with neighborhood residents and community partners, a collaborative community plan is being implemented to address immediate and systematic barriers through a holistic and all-encompassing approach to improve community health.

For additional information on these two initiatives or to learn more about Eskenazi Health’s work to address social determinants of health, please visit Social Determinants of Health - Programs - Eskenazi Health. These two programs will be launched within the two identified health engagement zones in the coming months.