Community-Based Initiatives
SHIP community efforts benefit virtually all Minnesotans, from the playgrounds kids use to the bikes paths they enjoy to their trips to the weekend farmers market.
- NEW! Community fact sheet(PDF: 678KB/2 pages)
- Featured story: Physical activity is the best policy in McLeod County
(PDF: 341KB/1 page)
SHIP is working with communities around the state to improve health
People are ultimately responsible for the choices they make related to health. However, the community in which a person lives has a huge effect on the choices available.
2010-11 selected highlights
SHIP is making an impact in the health of the community by making the healthy choice the easy choice. Some successes from the first two years of SHIP include:- Approximately 255 cities are working on creating master walk and bike plans; updating municipal plans to include “complete streets” with sidewalks and crosswalks; increasing access to parks, trails and recreational facilities; connecting and promoting trail systems; and collaborating on projects that improve walkability and bikeability in communities.
- SHIP has helped 544 child care sites implement healthy eating practices, serving approximately 8564 children.
- Thanks for SHIP, 902 child care sites are working on implementing practices to increase physical activity, serving approximately 21,447 children.
- To prevent tobacco smoke exposure, 6 cities have adopted tobacco-free parks policies, and 14 additional cities are currently working on this strategy.
- Because of SHIP, 227 apartment buildings have adopted smoke free policies. Another 142 are working toward it.
- Farmers markets increase access to fruits and vegetables, a key component of healthy eating. Before SHIP, there were 82 farmers markets in Minnesota. During the first two years of SHIP, 160 new farmers markets opened, an increase of 95 percent.
SHIP Community Information Page (PDF:166KB/1 page)
SHIP stories:
- Bringing more fruits and vegetables to Grand Portage
(PDF: 1120KB/1 page) - 3,850 residents now free of second-hand smoke in their Dakota County homes PDF: 420KB/1 page)
- NEW! “I created little health monsters…!”
(PDF: 266KB/1 page)
Making it Better: Minnesota stories about people working to build a healthier community: http://makingitbettermn.org/
- Celebrate Screen-Free Week: April 30-May 6
The Minnesota Department of Health is proud to endorse Screen-Free Week (April 30-May 6). "Screen-Free week is a great way to encourage more physical activity and less snacking by turning off the television and the computers. After a week, many people may find this new, active lifestyle to be habit forming.--
-- MDH Commissioner Ed Ehlinger
- Minnesota Health Commissioner visits Eagan school on "local lunch day"
- The Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Program SHIP Progress Brief -
Year 2 (PDF: 2.3MB/44 pages)
is now available
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Community Transformation Grant (CTG) CTG works to expand efforts in tobacco-free living, active living and healthy eating, and quality clinical and other preventive services, all toward a goal of addressing health disparities, helping control health care spending, and creating a healthier future.
- contact us:
Health.OSHII@state.mn.us