David Craig

David Craig and his research partner, Pamela Napier, focused on increasing community support for low-income Hoosiers who are eligible for the state’s Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), a health insurance plan that expands Medicaid coverage. During the project, they engaged with over 50 community partners, from insurance companies, to diverse congregations to interfaith groups. Over 50 students from the Departments of Religious Studies and Visual Communication Design participated through facilitating in-depth participatory sessions and feedback meetings, and designing materials.

In a 2019 study, Professor Craig and Professor Napier learned that HIP’s complexity, fees, stress and stigma cost members their coverage. Members stayed better connected when they had relationships with trusted community organizations and congregations. The researchers along with their collaborators developed a suite of “Get HIP” campaign materials, including brochures, PowerPoint slides, and how-to videos, in addition to four distinct visuals for their four congregational partners representing how each congregation understands, supports, and practices health and wellness. These materials aim to communicate HIP clearly and empower people as HIP members and as HIP helpers. Community partners used their cultural intelligence and operational knowledge to craft the messages.

Professor Craig's translation of research into culturally appropriate promotional materials for HIP insurance is another excellent example of how IUPUI's faculty members are TRANSLATING their RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE.