Minnesota Health Equity Networks
The Minnesota Health Equity Networks work to connect, strengthen, and amplify health equity efforts and community issues using a regional and relational approach. The networks are a community of support for local public health, Tribal public health, and community organizations to address long-standing health equity issues.
Learn more about our approach, core functions, and the resources that guide our work: Minnesota Health Equity Networks (PDF).
For monthly updates, subscribe to the Minnesota Health Equity Networks Newsletter.
On this page
About us
What is health equity?
Regional gatherings
Statewide trainings and events
Connections: MN Health Equity Networks
Request equity training and assistance
Resources
About the Minnesota Health Equity Networks
What are health equity networks? The Minnesota Health Equity Networks work to connect, strengthen, and amplify health equity efforts and community issues using a regional and relational approach. The networks are a community of support for local public health, Tribal public health, and community organizations to address long-standing health equity issues.
- Connect: The networks are a hub — connecting and strengthening relationships and connections of local public health, Tribal public health, community organizations, and health equity partners across Minnesota communities.
- Strengthen: We strengthen communities' capacity to work on health equity through training, technical assistance, and leadership development in advancing health equity across Minnesota communities.
- Amplify: We amplify the interconnected work of communities and public health systems. We support the regional and Tribal public health systems to prioritize community solutions and engage with communities as a part of public health practice.
Network coordinators will work alongside partners to build relationships, support existing work and activities that build capacity, provide a space to share expertise and provide resources, and influence policy, structural, and system changes to provide the best health and wellness outcomes for all.
Why are the networks vital to Minnesotans? While local, state, and Tribal public health departments and community-based organizations worked to reach all Minnesota communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, deep disparities in health were revealed across Minnesota. The pandemic disproportionately impacted communities of color, American Indian communities and Tribal nations, the LGBTQ community, rural communities, immigrant and refugee communities, aging people, low-income people, and people with disabilities. As response activities continue and recovery activities ramp up, our public health partnerships will need to build on our successes and address the clear inequities that have long existed in all our communities.
How can I stay in touch? If you want to receive updates about current and future network activities, subscribe and sign up for the Health Equity Networks newsletter.
Health equity
What is health equity? Health equity is the concept that everyone has what they need to be healthy and that no unjust or unfair barriers prevent anyone from being healthy.
Achieving health equity is important for all people and requires a systemic approach to making sure people and communities have access to what they need to be healthy. People and communities are often prevented from being as healthy as possible by unjust or unfair barriers, and these are called health inequities.
We can only achieve health equity when, for example, all children get a loving and healthy start, when we can all get a good education and good jobs, when we can all take part in the decisions that shape our communities, and when we all have good living conditions. These are examples of changing social determinants of health.
Addressing health equity and the social determinants of health is needed in order to have continuous improvements in health outcomes and eliminate health disparities. This involves examining structures, policies, practices, norms, and values, as well as creating social and physical environments that promote good health for all people and communities.
Every region, community, and Tribal nation experiences different inequities and requires different solutions.
Regional gatherings
Regional gatherings are free and open to all. Participate in one region or more than one.
- Southeast Regional Gathering: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., March 27 (hybrid at Goodhue County in Red Wing, Minnesota, lunch to follow)
Agenda: Southeast Regional Network | Minnesota Health Equity Networks Connections - Central Regional Gathering: 10 to 11:30 a.m., April 15 (virtual)
Agenda: Central Regional Network | Minnesota Health Equity Networks Connections - Southwest Regional Gathering: 1 to 2:30 p.m., April 22 (virtual)
Register: Southwest Regional Gathering | April 22
Agenda: Southwest Regional Network | Minnesota Health Equity Networks Connections - Northwest Regional Gathering: 1 to 2:30 p.m., April 24 (virtual)
Register: Northwest Regional Gathering | April 24
Agenda: Northwest Regional Network | Minnesota Health Equity Networks Connections - Northeast Regional Gathering: 10 to 11:30 a.m., April 29 (virtual)
Register: Northeast Regional Gathering | April 29
Agenda: Northeast Regional Network | Minnesota Health Equity Networks Connections - Metro Regional Gathering: 1 to 2:30 p.m., April 29 (virtual with potential hybrid option)
Register: Metro Regional Gathering | April 29
Agenda: Metro Regional Network | Minnesota Health Equity Networks Connections
Statewide training and events
All statewide events are virtual unless noted otherwise.
NEW! Open space gatherings
The Minnesota Health Equity Networks will host ongoing "open space" for our communities across the state. This is a space for people to come in as needed to discuss or troubleshoot what is emerging in their communities, workplaces, in the public health system with a network coordinator, network staff member, and other community members. We will strive to create a space that is welcoming, supportive, friendly, and as confidential as possible.
- Networks Open Space: May 20
Register for May 20, 12-1:30 p.m. - Networks Open Space: July 15
Register for July 15, 12-1:30 p.m. - Networks Open Space: September 16
Register for September 16, 12-1:30 p.m. - Networks Open Space: November 18
Register for November 18, 12-1:30 p.m.
Statewide trainings and gatherings
- Statewide Gathering: 12-1:30 p.m., May 15
Register for the May 15 gathering
This gathering will focus on addressing ageism with presentations from partners in the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council, the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging, and the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging. Learn about the Age-Friendly Statewide Blueprint, Intersectionality, the Arrowhead Changemakers Cohorts, and other equity efforts that work to reframe longevity issues. - Mini Gathering: Climate and Health, 11 a.m.-Noon, May 21
Register for the climate and health mini gathering
In 2022, the State of Minnesota released the Climate Action Framework (CAF) — a vision for how our state will address and prepare for climate change. The state is updating the Climate Action Framework in 2025 to include a more comprehensive set of actions and projections of greenhouse gas emissions reductions, with a stronger focus on local government collaboration, community benefits, and workforce needs. The Climate and Health team at the Minnesota Department of Health is seeking input from health equity practitioners in the development of the CAF. Please join us for a Climate and Health mini-gathering to learn about the 2025 CAF and share your insights to help ensure the CAF reflects and benefits the communities you serve.
Restorative practice sessions
- Networks Restorative Practice Series 1
Register for Session 1: April 9, 10-10:30 a.m.
Register for Session 2: April 15, 12:30-1p.m.
Register for Session 3: April 23, 3:30-4 p.m. - Networks Restorative Practice Series 2
Register for Session 1: June 11, 10-10:30 a.m.
Register for Session 2: June 17, 12:30-1 p.m.
Register for Session 3: June 26, 3:30-4 p.m.
View recordings and slides from past trainings
Minnesota Health Equity Network Connections
Minnesota Health Equity Network Connections is our virtual connection forum. It is a space where we can share resources in between gatherings and trainings.
How to join:
- Visit Welcome to the Minnesota Health Equity Networks Connections!
- In the top right corner, click "register." We ask people in our community to register so that we can have a safe and welcoming place for people to engage and share resources.
- Fill in the form. After that, you will be able to join Minnesota Health Equity Networks Connections and see regional pages and statewide activity.
- If you get stuck or need some assistance, try watching this tutorial on how to join: MN Health Equity Networks Connections (4:41, autoplays)
Request training and assistance
Are you looking for support, one-on-one or small group training, or assistance around health equity or community engagement?
The Minnesota Health Equity Networks are honored to provide health equity and community engagement training, assistance, coaching, and support to network members*, local public health, Tribal public health, and other community partners.
To request support, please complete our form: Minnesota Health Equity Networks -- Training and Assistance Request Form
Once we receive and review your request, our team will set up a short phone call to clarify needs, expectations, and next steps. Please allow up to 2 to 3 weeks for a response.
*Network members are any person or organization that has participated in Minnesota Health Equity Networks gatherings, trainings, or other opportunities.
Funding for this project is provided by the CDC OT21-2103 COVID-19 Health Equity Grant.