INDIANAPOLIS -- Getting an accurate census count is crucial to ensuring continued federal funding for all parts of Indiana, state officials said Tuesday.

The 2010 Census forms should arrive in most Hoosier mailboxes this week, and officials are spanning the state to highlight the importance of being counted, 6News' Renee Jameson reported.

They gathered at Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis on Tuesday, where doctors and nurses discussed the effect an accurate count has on health care delivery.

Last year, census data helped determine the number of H1N1 flu vaccine doses Indiana received.

"It's important. An accurate number will ensure programs for children that I see a lot in the hospital," said nurse Courtney Scroggins.

Each of the 10 questions on the census form will help decide how more than $400 billion will be allocated to communities across the country, including where schools and roads are built, and how many seats states have in Congress.

"The data from the census is used almost everywhere," said Mark Everson with the Indiana Department of Administration. "It's used by commercial interests in terms of where their markets are, where their businesses should be located and certainly in government, both federal and state and local."

Residents are encouraged to mail back their completed census forms by April 1.

More Information: Common Census Questions