Community Presentation to Share Findings on Public Health, Environment, and Quality of Life in Southwestern Indiana

Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of Life (SWICQL) will host a public presentation sharing the results of six recent community focus groups examining the region’s most pressing health and environmental concerns. The presentation will be on Tuesday, April 7, at 6:00 pm CDT, at the Lincoln Heritage Public Library in Dale, Indiana. The event will highlight lived experiences and community-identified priorities related to cancer, respiratory illness, air and water quality, and environmental conditions across southwestern Indiana.

The presentation will feature two leading researchers:

• Dr. Kate Eddens, Associate Research Scientist, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University
• Dr. Annie Shattuck, Associate Professor of Geography, Indiana University

Over the past year, SWICQL partnered with these researchers to gather stories and insights from residents across the region. The focus groups explored how environmental exposures, industrial activity, and access to clean air and water shape community health, particularly in areas where cancer and respiratory issues are persistent concerns.

“Residents shared powerful, personal accounts of how environmental conditions affect their families’ health and their sense of safety,” said Mary Hess, President of SWICQL. “This presentation is an opportunity to bring those voices forward and ensure they help guide future action.”

The event will include

• A summary of key themes from the focus groups
• Community-identified concerns about air and water quality
• Insights on cancer and respiratory health patterns
• Discussion of next steps for research, advocacy, and community engagement

This project and public presentation are made possible through a grant supporting SWICQL’s ongoing work to elevate community voices and advance environmental health and justice in southwestern Indiana.