May SNAC Spotlight: Antonia Sawyer, Lead for the Hoosier Health and Wellness Alliance

Antonia Sawyer (afsawyer@iu.edu) leads the Hoosier Health and Wellness Alliance (HHWA). The HHWA is one of four health initiatives within the Connections IN Health project. Connections IN Health sits within the Indiana Clinical Translational Sciences Institute at the IU School of Medicine.

Describe your organization and role.

I lead the Hoosier Health and Wellness Alliance, which is a statewide health coalition in Indiana focused on reducing obesity across the state. While I represent a singular health coalition for the Connections IN Health project, I am part of a larger effort to address social determinants of health and other chronic diseases. I also work alongside three other initiatives that sit under the Connections IN Health project: the Cardiovascular and Diabetes Coalition of Indiana, the Indiana Joint Asthma Coalition, and the Equity, Engagement and Prevention initiative which includes strategic partnerships with the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Purdue University I-HOPE, Purdue Extension and IU Health and DIP-IN through the iHEART project. The HHWA, previously known as the Indiana Healthy Weight Initiative, was established in 2008. When I started in 2018, we rebranded and renamed the coalition and expanded our focus beyond active minutes and food consumption. Our work currently addresses the policy, systems, and environments (PSE) that impact physical activity opportunities and access to nutritious foods.

What are two projects and/or partnerships that have been impactful in the work you do?

I value every step, partner, and project within the coalition. No project is bigger than the next because each activity represents what we could best accomplish at that time. But, if I had to choose the most impactful projects and partnerships, they would be the parks board development and the coalition relationship building efforts.

Parks board development- Helping communities to develop park boards to increase recreation and physical activity opportunities is one of the most innovative ideas the group has generated. This project complements the tactical urbanism work done at the Indiana Department of Health, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources efforts, Health by Design’s initiatives, and Purdue Extension’s local PSE work. Rather than duplicating current efforts, the parks board development initiative supports the work and builds some of the infrastructure needed to have other projects implemented at the county level. For example, developing a park board makes communities eligible for land and water conservation funding. So, communities are able to implement strategies they develop within their master plans. Relationship building- The relationships that have been built and the growth that we have seen since 2018 has been tremendous. We have some of the most experienced coalition members who are doing great work in Indiana. The group’s collaboration, dedication, and willingness to try new ideas has allowed us to address weaknesses and accomplish larger strategies and goals. The cross-communication between state agencies and grassroots organizations has been impactful too, as everyone is working at the same level to support Hoosier communities.

What is the most interesting part of your role?

This role can feel like a Braodway production. There is a lot happening behind the curtain and in the background while a show is being put on. What I mean is there are both internal and external projects happening at the same time. I work to maintain the functioning and effectiveness of the coalition while engaging externally with communities. It is a dance to keep the network members engaged despite the slower pace of county and state level processes while also implementing best practices and innovative strategies in communities. So, the most intriguing part of the role is simultaneously building trust with partners, coordinating goals and activities, tracking outcomes, and supporting local initiatives to work towards the larger goal of shifting obesity in Indiana.

What is the “why” behind what you do?

My “why” is personal and relates to what I have experienced in my own life. My family was not always able to have their needs met, so I work to support equitable access to services, resources, and environments for people to have a high quality of life. Regardless of circumstances, physical ability, demographics, or geographic location, everyone should have the access to what they need to live well. Specifically with the Alliance, I help to provide equitable access to physical activity opportunities and food access. If I am able to leave a legacy for my kids and Indiana is in a better position because of the work I have been able to do with the help of amazing stakeholders, then I am going to do it. In short, my why is equity, that’s it.

Is there anything else SNAC members should know?

We have an open membership, and we are always wanting to bring another seat to the table. If anyone reading this has not heard of the Hoosier Health and Wellness Alliance and would like to sit down and learn more, we would love to share more in-depth. We love innovative ideas. If you are in the nutrition, physical activity, and food environment space and you have an idea, let me know and we can see if it fits into what we are doing or fills an existing gap or blind spot. It often just takes one small idea or question to get a larger initiative moving!