 The Louisiana Department of Health has launched the State Health Improvement Plan, or SHIP, to ensure they're meeting the health goals of the state. LDH surveyed 6,000 residents to create four priority areas for improving health. Behavioral health, community safety, maternal and child health, and chronic disease. Robert Hines with LDH says SHIP was created through community input, and though LDH is involved, community input is the only way SHIP can continue to serve.