Growing Cardiometabolic Health Standards of Care in Rural Indiana
Description: Launch a statewide collaborative care model to combat obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease by establishing Cardiometabolic Centers of Excellence in each rural health region. The initiative equips 6,000 rural health professionals with Lifestyle Medicine training, embeds nutrition education in medical schools, and certifies up to 2,000 clinicians to lead preventive care. A feasibility study will also assess logistics for a rural Food is Medicine program, leveraging Hoosier-grown foods and telehealth-based nutrition therapy.
Activity
Track the progress and opportunities for Initiative 5.
| Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Reviewing proposals for Food is Medicine Feasibility Study | In Process | |
| Review proposals for Double Up retail expansion | In Process | |
| Finalize grant agreements with Purdue Extension and Indiana Alliance | In Process |
| Name | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiometabolic Center Interest Survey | REDCap | Closed 5/8/26 |
| Rural hospital feasibility assessment for CKM model | Released | |
| 5-2-1-0 marketing plan | Completed | |
| American College of Lifestyle Medicine onboarding | To provide up to 700 certifications and up to 500 trainings in Year 1 | Completed |
FAQs
What is cardiometabolic health and why is it a priority for rural Indiana?
Cardiometabolic health refers to the overall functioning of the heart, blood vessels and metabolic systems, measured through indicators such as blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, body composition and inflammation. Strong cardiometabolic health reflects optimal metabolic function and reduced risk of chronic disease.
Indiana ranks among the worst states nationally for obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Rural communities experience higher disease burden, fewer preventive services and limited specialty access, making cardiometabolic disease a major driver of avoidable hospitalizations, ED visits and long-term healthcare costs.
How do I identify my region’s cardiometabolic center of excellence? What information is required?
As part of Initiative 12: GROW Regional Grants, all eight rural regions must select a regional implementation site for the Rural Cardiometabolic Health program. These sites will become Centers of Excellence and serve as the regional hub for cardiometabolic health for their regions. These sites will be selected in Year 1 of Indiana RHTP as part of the regional grant application process.
What kind of training will doctors and nurses get to improve care and prevention?
Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based clinical approach that uses food, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connection and avoidance of risky substances as first-line interventions to prevent, treat and even reverse chronic disease. By equipping clinicians with structured tools and training to address the root causes of cardiometabolic conditions, it shifts care upstream — reducing reliance on acute services, improving patient outcomes and strengthening the role of prevention in everyday clinical practice.
Up to 6,000 rural health workforce members (physicians, RNs, APPs, dietitians, CHWs, care managers, etc.) will receive Lifestyle Medicine training to improve care and increase preventive focus.
Up to 2,000 clinicians will receive Lifestyle Medicine Board Certification. Master's or doctoral level clinicians are eligible, including MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs, OTs, PTs, dietitians, social workers, dentists, podiatrists, pharmacists, psychologists, etc.
How will the Food is Medicine program use local Hoosier-grown foods to support healthier living?
The purpose of the Food is Medicine (FIM) feasibility study is to evaluate the end-to-end logistics of delivering rural FIM programs, with a strategic focus on sourcing Hoosier-grown foods. The study will guide future implementation of FIM programming by assessing:
- Procurement/sourcing of local foods
- Storage and distribution
- Clinical integration
- Telehealth-based nutrition therapy
- Reimbursement pathways
- Infrastructure needs
Can Indiana RHTP funds be used to purchase food?
Yes, but justification and CMS approval is required.