Social and Community Context
People’s relationships and interactions with their neighbors and community can have a major impact on their health and quality of life. When people feel connected and supported by their communities, their health and well-being improve. Strong ties with neighbors, opportunities to get involved, and a sense of belonging can lead to better health and greater upward mobility. On the other hand, people who are socially isolated and lack a sense of belonging within their community tend to have poor health outcomes. The Indy Health District is dedicated to helping residents feel more connected to their neighbors and communities and fostering a greater sense of belonging, ultimately enhancing the health and everyday life of all the people in the district.
Community Social Cohesion
As the Indy Health District works to build a community where every resident has the opportunity to thrive, understanding the lived experiences of those who call the district home is essential. To do this, a community survey will be conducted to learn about resident perceptions of social support, their sense of community and belonging, attraction to the neighborhood, civic engagement, and sense of safety. Survey collection will occur every 3 to 5 years to track perceptions over time. Insights shared by community members will play a critical role in shaping priorities, guiding initiatives, and ensuring that the district grows in ways that reflect the needs and aspirations of its people. The first of the community surveys is currently in development and is expected to take place in the spring/summer of 2025. Insights from the survey will be added to this page in the early fall 2025.
DID YOU KNOW?
Social cohesion—the strength of relationships and trust within a community—can influence rates of disease including diabetes, heart disease, and all-cause mortality. Social cohesion includes residents’ sense of belonging, willingness to help their neighbors, engagement in the community, and holding shared values/norms. Social gathering spots which strengthen community bonds include churches, community centers, parks, and other gathering places.
Movement in and out of the Indy Health District
DID YOU KNOW?
Neighborhood changes typically associated with urban development can have both beneficial and harmful impacts on health. (Schnake-Mahl, Jahn, Subramanian, et al, 2020) Thus, monitoring for these impacts is important to the Indy Health District and will inform planning and initiatives.
Initiatives to change neighborhoods by adding businesses, new housing options, and destinations like restaurants or entertainment can lead to long-term residents moving out of the area, because they can no longer afford to stay in their homes. Residents may also move because they no longer have a sense of belonging or connection. Those who remain may feel socially isolated. The physical and social changes that occur may alter a neighborhood’s character in unintentional or undesired ways. The Indy Health District is committed to fostering inclusive development, prioritizing the needs of its residents, and ensuring affordable and high-quality housing. Monitoring patterns of movement in and out of the community is one part of understanding the impacts of development and neighborhood improvements on those who call this area home. Information about movement in and out of the district is being examined. Insights from this work will be shared here in fall 2025.