Public Health Stories

Have you ever wanted to tell a story about your work as a public health professional? If so, what would you say? What would be the purpose of your story? Or, have you ever attended a memorable workshop where people shared practice experiences? Were the stories you heard humorous, heartwarming, or tragic? It's likely that you remembered them long after the conference.

Storytelling has been increasingly used throughout many industries to describe issues to a wide variety of audiences. This web site is dedicated to stories about public health and how to use those stories effectively.

Telling stories about our practice can help the populations we serve become more visible to our listeners. Whether it's an anecdote about a county nurse visiting a young first-time mother, a narrative about providing core services during a community disaster, or a description of how an environmental health threat was discovered, stories are essential tools in public health.

A well-written or effectively told story can help stakeholder groups understand the essence of a particular health program, assist policymakers in deciding to fund a grant proposal, engage a group of trainees, or inspire a classroom of budding public health professionals. Telling stories also helps people reflect on their vocational values and sense of achievement in their work.

Search public health stories

On this web site you will find a collection of stories organized around the framework of the Public Health Interventions Wheel (PDF: 309KB/45 pages) developed by the Office of Performance Improvement. These stories have also been organized around the framework of the Minnesota Areas of Public Health Responsibility and Essential Local Public Health Activities. You can browse through the stories or search them to find ones of particular interest to you on the Search for Public Health Stories page. New stories will be added to the site at regular intervals.

We invite you to read and then share these stories in your work, in whatever area of public health you may be practicing.

Learn more about storytelling

Would you like to learn more about how you can use stories in your work? Do you have a story to tell about your work in public health? If so, check out the links below:

We want to hear from you!

Do you have a story to tell about your work in public health? We would like this web site to grow! We invite you to submit your own story in whatever area of public health you work.

Also, please provide feedback about this project by contacting us.