Balancing Public Health Knowledge and Clinical Care
Dr. Patrick Jones is the Managing Director of CEO Leadership at Charter School Growth Fund. He is the former Vice President of Leadership, Equity, and School Growth at The Mind Trust, where he helped launch over 16 schools. He led initiatives focused on talent development, high-quality seats growth, racial equity, and leadership development for educators in Indianapolis. Dr. Jones also leads Exponentia Prime, an organization he founded in 2022 to close the opportunity gap in high-level math for urban youth through math circles and competition-level problem-solving.
As a fellow of the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation, I recently had the opportunity to explore the complexities of healthcare in Indiana. My biggest takeaway? While clinical healthcare—what we typically think of as hospitals, doctors, and medical treatments—is a pressing issue, public health and preventative care present an even greater challenge.
Indiana lags behind nearly all national health metrics despite being home to one of the nation's top medical schools in IU School of Medicine. This paradox highlights a fundamental problem: we are investing in sick care rather than true healthcare. Our system is structured to treat illness rather than to prevent it. We pour money into treating chronic diseases rather than into strategies that could keep people from developing these conditions in the first place.
The data is striking. Dr. Nir Menachemi, a professor at Indiana University’s Fairbanks School of Public Health, presented a breakdown of the key determinants of health:
50% is determined by healthy behaviors (diet, exercise, avoiding harmful substances)
20% is determined by the environment in which we live
20% is determined by genetics
10% is determined by access to healthcare
Yet, despite these numbers, 88% of our healthcare spending is directed toward medical services—the smallest factor in what actually makes people healthy. This disconnect means we are fighting chronic illness reactively rather than proactively working to prevent it.
One potential solution lies in better integrating clinical health and public health efforts. Dr. Lindsay Weaver, Indiana’s health commissioner, advocates for breaking down the silos between these two systems. Clinical healthcare providers need to be informed by public health data to create a holistic system that serves Hoosiers more effectively.
A promising example of this shift is Hancock Health, which has developed state-of-the-art wellness centers that seamlessly integrate clinical and preventative health services. There, doctors don’t just treat sickness—they prescribe nutrition and exercise, providing patients with direct access to dietitians and gym facilities as part of their treatment plans. Instead of merely prescribing medication, they ensure patients have the tools and resources to maintain a healthier lifestyle long-term. Joel Hungate, Executive Director of Hancock Well-Being and Employer strategy, also explained how the model is financially viable -- bringing the spirit of private enterprise to help solve a complex problem in health.
This approach reflects a broader theme: personal responsibility in healthcare matters. Since individual behaviors account for half of our overall health, systems should support and encourage preventative care. Public health investment isn't just about policy—it’s about giving people the knowledge and resources to take charge of their health.
Leadership, Policy, and Health Equity
In addition to exploring integrated health models, our session also delved into healthcare policy and leadership. We had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Jerome Adams, former U.S. Surgeon General and current Executive Director of Health Equity at Purdue University. His personal journey—from growing up in a rural community with asthma to becoming a national health leader—underscores the importance of both world-class medical treatment and strong public health initiatives.
Dr. Adams emphasized that healthcare equity requires a robust clinical system that delivers top-tier medical care and a strong public health infrastructure. I synthesized many of his statements as meaning that true health equity means ensuring that no matter where you live, you have access to environments and infrastructure that keep you healthy. This requires leadership, policy, and community investment to create an environment where people can truly thrive.
This experience reaffirmed for me that improving healthcare in Indiana is not just the job of doctors, policymakers, or public health officials—it is the responsibility of all of us. We can advocate for:
More investment in preventative health initiatives, such as nutrition programs and exercise prescriptions
Policies that bridge the gap between public and clinical health, ensuring that medical care incorporates preventative strategies
Healthcare models, like Hancock Health, that support both treatment and wellness
Indiana is a great place to live, and it can be even better. Understanding how our healthcare system operates—and pushing for changes that emphasize prevention and equity—can help us build a healthier future for all Hoosiers, rural and urban. I am grateful to be an MDLF Fellow who gets to understand our state’s policies and infrastructure, and blessed to play a role in improving them.
MDLF Class VII Fellows at Hancock Wellness Center in January 2025.