H1N1 in Indiana
2012
This case study describes how Indiana state health officials attempted to develop a united response to H1N1 (“Swine Flu”) in 2009. The challenge of coordinating efforts across nearly 100 independent local health units will prompt students to consider intergovernmental relations that impact health, and how public officials might work together better in routine decision-making as well as during times of crisis.
The case is part of a series produced by the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Case Program, hosted by the HKS Strengthening Learning and Teaching Excellence (SLATE) initiative, the world’s largest producer and repository of case studies designed for teaching about how government works and how public policy is made. Each case in the series is designed to train public leaders, and introduces actual policy dilemmas along with data to equip students to learn how to apply the rigor of quantitative analysis in the real world.
This case may be purchased for a nominal fee; registered educators may obtain a free review copy. Online supplemental resources include short free documents and videos on how to teach with the case method, as well as downloadable related tip sheets and questions for class discussion.
Source:
Giles D. Confronting a Pandemic in a Home Rule State: The Indiana State Department of Health Responds to H1N1. HKS Case No. 1974.0. Harvard Kennedy School Case Program 2012. http://case.hks.harvard.edu/confronting-a-pandemic-in-a-home-rule-state-the-indiana-state-department-of-health-responds-to-h1n1.