About the practice of public health in Minnesota

About the Minnesota public health system and partnership: Minnesota’s public health system can best be described as a state and local partnership. This partnership, known as the community health services system, enables state and local governments to combine resources to serve public health needs in an efficient, cost-effective way. It is fundamental to the success of Minnesota’s public health system because it is the infrastructure for nearly all public health efforts in Minnesota.

• Find a local health department or community health board
• Map: Minnesota's community health boards (PDF)

Accreditation at MDH: The national accreditation program sets standards against which the nation's more than 3,000 governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. MDH became accredited in 2014 and was reaccredited in 2020.

Transforming the public health system in Minnesota: State, local, and tribal health departments in Minnesota have a unique responsibility to protect and promote the health of the public. Many governmental public health leaders have identified the need to strengthen the public health system and create a system for the 21st century—one that is equipped to work with communities and carryout foundational public health responsibilities effectively and efficiently.

About the MDH Center for Public Health Practice: The MDH Center for Public Health Practice helps to build capacity and improve performance of Minnesota's state and local public health system; section staff accomplish this by collaborating closely with local public health staff and MDH staff. The Center for Public Health Practice is located in the MDH Centers for Health Equity and Community Health.

Contact the MDH Center for Public Health Practice: Contact center staff by phone, mail, and email.

Related

Public Health is People: A History of the Minnesota Department of Health from 1949 to 1999