Public Health System Transformation Update Newsletter
May 2024 | View all system transformation newsletters

What's happening in May 2024 in system transformation?

There are SO many things happening across the state that help move us toward a public health system that’s more seamless, responsive, and publicly-supported.

Speaking consistently about the role and value of public health

Do you sometimes struggle to talk about what you do in a way that others outside public health (a) understand and (b) get excited about?

The Joint Leadership Team does, too, and is working with an independent communications firm to create a message toolkit for Minnesota’s public health workforce. We (and our partners) can use it to talk more cohesively about the role and value of public health, and why we need to transform and strengthen our public health system.

The toolkit will be ready this summer, and LPHA, MDH, and SCHSAC will provide space to share it, learn about it, discuss it, and try it out. Watch for more information from these groups.

Update: The toolkit is ready, and you can learn more in September's newsletter!

Using data on capacity to support strategic planning and business planning

Local public health leaders are meeting with the MDH Center for Public Health Practice to learn how the findings from the 2022 "cost and capacity assessment" can shape their strategic planning, funding decisions, and communication opportunities.

This assessment, conducted by the University of Minnesota, measured the Minnesota governmental public health system's capacity to fulfill foundational responsibilities, the cost associated with current work, and the cost associated with the entire system fulfilling all foundational responsibilities.

Read a memo from the Joint Leadership Team on this assessment and review the full report: Cost and capacity assessment: Key findings and next steps (PDF)

Kicking off work on the ground to increase capacity in foundational responsibilities

Minnesota’s community health boards are finalizing how to use new funding from the Minnesota Legislature to support foundational public health responsibilities—a down payment on the state’s health.

Over half of community health boards will focus on assessment and surveillance, equity, communications, community partnership development, and organizational competencies (often in combination with or in addition to other foundational responsibilities).

Convening to learn about, discuss, and share foundational work

Local public health leaders and staff meet each month in a Foundational Public Health Responsibilities Community of Practice.

In these meetings, participants learn about, discuss, and resolve questions related to foundational areas, capabilities, and how they all fit together in real life.

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