Eskenazi Health Foundation‘s Beyond Barriers campaign is designed to support Eskenazi Health’s efforts to improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Indianapolis. As a part of the initiative, Eskenazi Health launched a pilot program around three health equity zones located on the west side, east side, and northeast corridor. Health equity zones are geographic regions in Indianapolis where multiple organizations are working to address long-term social determinants of health – such as employment, housing, and substance use – to ultimately increase life expectancy for residents.

In December 2023, the Fairbanks Foundation awarded a $3 million grant to support the health equity zones pilot. The grant from the Fairbanks Foundation is enabling Eskenazi Health to address substance use disorder in Indianapolis as well as the social determinants of health that impact tobacco and nicotine use, especially in these health equity zones.