Throughout 2025, health care access, equity and community-driven efforts shaped the conversation around health outcomes for Indianapolis residents. From maternal health and food access to blood donation and community partnerships, these stories captured the most pressing health issues of the year.
1. Black maternal health week 2025: empowering Black expecting mothers in Martindale-Brightwood
Black Maternal Health Week, observed annually from April 11-17, highlights the critical disparities affecting Black mothers in the U.S. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that in 2023, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, significantly higher than the rates for White (14.5), Hispanic (12.4) and Asian (10.7) women. This stark disparity underscores the urgent need for accessible, culturally competent health care resources for Black expecting mothers, particularly in underserved communities like Martindale-Brightwood.
2. Dear Fathers and Anthem launch ‘Dads to Doulas’ program
Dear Fathers, a community organization dedicated to empowering Black fathers, has partnered with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to launch “Dads to Doulas” in Indiana. This groundbreaking initiative trains Black fathers to become informed advocates in maternal and infant health, addressing significant health disparities in the state.
3. Cradle Indy launches initiative to address infant mortality
Cradle Indy officially launched its bold new initiative to combat infant mortality in Indianapolis with an event titled “ONE: A Night to Win the Fight Against Infant Mortality.”
Held July 16 at VisionLoft Stutz, the launch brought together nearly 100 health professionals, doulas, community advocates and families to commit to one shared goal: ensuring more babies in Marion County live to see their first birthday. The event marked a renewed, city-wide effort to address one of the most urgent and devastating public health crises in the state.
In 2023, 524 babies died before their first birthday, more than 40 per month. While the state’s infant mortality rate has seen a small improvement, dropping from 7.2 to 6.5 deaths per 1,000 live births, Indiana still ranks among the worst in the country. Marion County is particularly hard-hit, with six of the state’s poorest-performing ZIP codes in infant mortality clustered within its borders.
4. SNAP benefits fall short as families face food insecurity
Marissa N., 33, spends her days cleaning homes and her evenings caring for her two young children on the west side of Indianapolis. Her life has always been a careful balancing act, but lately, the scales have tipped further out of her favor.
“I’m doing the best I can, but the math isn’t mathing anymore,” Marissa said.
Since the recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the modest help she relied on to feed her family has become even less effective.
Living with sickle cell disease has been a lifelong challenge for Lena Harvey, 39.
Blood transfusions have been critical in managing her condition, offering relief from debilitating pain and life-threatening complications. As a Versiti Beacon of Hope, Lena is determined to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation.
In this Q&A, Harvey sits down with the Indianapolis Recorder to share her experiences navigating sickle cell disease, her gratitude for blood donors and her mission to inspire others to join the cause for national blood donation month. Her journey highlights the urgent need for diverse blood donations and the resilience of those living with chronic illnesses.
6. All-Star Cure connects sports and cancer awareness
Organizers behind the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game are teaming up with Indiana University to recruit hundreds of women to donate healthy breast tissue in a large-scale research initiative aimed at improving breast cancer prevention and treatment.
The event, called All-Star Cure, will take place July 12-13 at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, just days before the WNBA All-Star Game tips off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19. Officials hope to collect samples from up to 500 donors, with a focus on women under 40 and women of color — two groups historically underrepresented in breast cancer research.
7. Scotchy Jamaican Grill and Howdy Homemade team up
Marlon Llewellyn, owner of Scotchy Jamaican Grill, is on a mission to bring the authentic flavors of Jamaica to Central Indiana while raising awareness about mental health.
Through a newly formed partnership with Howdy Homemade Ice Cream and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Llewellyn hopes to break stigmas surrounding mental illness and developmental disabilities — one scoop at a time.
8. Government shutdown and health care debate threaten access and coverage
A federal government shutdown in 2025 raised immediate concerns about disruptions to health services, particularly for low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. While emergency programs continued, uncertainty around funding placed pressure on Medicaid operations, public health agencies and enrollment assistance tied to the Affordable Care Act. At the same time, renewed political debate over the future of the ACA fueled anxiety for Hoosiers who rely on subsidized marketplace plans, preventive care coverage and protections for preexisting conditions. The combined impact underscored how federal decisions can quickly destabilize health care access at the local level.
To read the full versions of these stories and more, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
