Indiana State Health Improvement Plan (I-SHIP) - State of Indiana

INDIANA STATE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Partnering for the Public’s Health
Geographically, Indiana has a land area of 36,418 square miles, ranking
it 38 th of all states in size. The vast plains across the state, bisected by
the Wabash River, comprise the majority of the state‘s geography and
are the basis for the strong agricultural economy in Indiana. A high
percentage of Indiana‘s income also comes from its manufacturing
sector.
Indiana‘s population is diverse, with the median age of all Hoosiers
being 36.4 years. The state‘s population has increased nearly 16% in the
past two decades. Approximately 12.9% of the current population is
over the age of 65, nearly a 10% increase in the past decade and a
number that is expected to continue to grow. Table 1.2 identifies the
2000 and 2009 populations in Indiana, by age and race, demonstrating
growth over the past decade. Indiana‘s total population is expected to
continue to increase; however, that increase will notably be most
significant in the 45 and over age group population.
While the overall population growth has been minimal to moderate in
the state over the past decade, when compared to that of the U.S. overall,
the racial and ethnic diversity of the state continues to increase. Table
1.2 reveals that the non-White population is currently more than 10% of
the total population, comprised primarily of Blacks i .
The greatest growth since 2000 is in the Hispanic/Latino and Asian
populations, with an 81.7% and 73.3% increase respectively (2010 U.S.
Census). In Indiana, as in the U.S., the number of persons belonging to
minority groups continues to increase. The state‘s major minority
groups include Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos, and Asians, being distributed
across the state, but primarily in more urban areas. Counties with largest
minority populations include Hamilton, Lake, Marion, Monroe, and
Tippecanoe counties.
It is important to note, for purposes of health improvement planning, that
subgroups also exist within the major minority groups and can differ
significantly with regard to language, health beliefs and cultural health
practices. Asian populations in Indiana, for example, may include
Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and other groups. The
Hispanic/Latino population, similarly, may include Cuban, Mexican,
Puerto Rican, South American, or others.