Community engagement at the Minnesota Department of Health
The MDH strategic plan states that health equity is the central challenge facing Minnesota's state, local, and tribal health departments.
MDH is proud of successes in keeping Minnesotans healthy, and the strategic plan also acknowledges that the opportunity to be healthy is not equally available everywhere and for everyone in Minnesota.
One primary strategy for advancing health equity in the MDH strategic plan is to:
Listen authentically to and partner with communities
To advance this strategy, the strategic plan calls for MDH to:
- Develop and implement a departmental community engagement plan
- Partner with communities experiencing health inequities
- Align advisory committee structure, membership, and processes to advance health equity
About the Center for Public Health Practice
The MDH Center for Public Health Practice supports engagement practice in Minnesota’s governmental public health system that aligns with the MDH Health Equity Bureau and Minnesota's Civic Engagement Initiative.
In addition to providing training, coaching, and technical assistance, the Center for Public Health Practice is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the MDH community engagement plan.
The unit focuses on engaging populations most impacted by health inequities. It advances authentic engagement practices that build on assets and drive solutions created in partnership with communities.
MDH Center for Public Health Practice
651-201-3880
health.ophp@state.mn.us
Learn more
MDH community engagement plan: MDH has drafted its Community Engagement Plan in order to listen to and authentically partner with communities.
Get involved: MDH involves people like you to inform and support its work. Learn more about advisory committees, program work groups, grant decision panels, rulemaking, partnerships, policy development, and more.