New Center Focuses On Social Policy Research

A new research center will analyze policies and practices related to social factors in Indiana and focus on how disparity impacts the lives of Hoosiers.  

The new Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy, or CRISP, will conduct research on how social issues like income, education and housing impact quality of life in Indiana. 

Breanca Merritt is the director. She says these issues often influence Indiana’s poor health outcomes.  

"How do we help or better understand the issues of those of us who have the most struggles and the greatest difficulty overcoming hurdles in order to make our outcomes better as a state," Merritt says.

READ MORE: New Study Focuses On Social Determinants' Health Impact

The center is based at IUPUI in Indianapolis. Merritt says they will study complex social issues.

"Knowing that it’s a really difficult task, shed light on the complexity of that so that people can better understand the level of decision making on a higher level so that people don’t have to make so many decisions on an individual level," says Merritt. 

The research could help policymakers, nonprofits and community leaders better understand how their decisions impact services.