Health Equity

Minnesota, on average, ranks among the healthiest states in the nation. But those averages do not tell the whole story. Minnesota has some of the greatest health disparities in the country between whites and people of color and American Indians. Why is this? and What can Meeker, McLeod and Sibley Counties do to advance health equity?

 

To be healthy, people need peace, shelter, education, food, income, and social justice. In short, health is created where people live, work, and play. Minnesota’s significant and long-lasting health inequities cannot be explained by bio-genetic factors and personal choice. These health differences have in part resulted from structural racism, which refers to racism that is built into systems and policies, rather than individual prejudice. Creating health equity requires a comprehensive solution that includes but goes beyond targeted grants and access to health care. Locally, MMS needs to address health disparities as part of a broad spectrum of public investments in housing, transportation, education, economic opportunity and criminal justice.

MDH Advancing Health Equity Report

As part of the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), Meeker McLeod, Sibley (MMS) Healthy Communities helps make healthy choices possible for all. MMS Healthy Communities aims to reduce health disparities between groups and thereby advance health equity. Throughout the fall of 2016, MMS staff conducted a Health Equity Data Analysis to document health inequities and their root causes as a first step towards addressing health inequity within the region.

MMS CHS HEDA Summary