Story Ideas

The social and economic side of health

The U.S. spends almost twice as much per person on health care as any other nation — almost $2 trillion a year, yet American life expectancy ranks 30th in the world. Our infant mortality rate is tied for last place among industrialized countries. Recent research shows that health interventions that focus solely on changing the behavior of individuals have only limited effects on population health. Health is also determined by the day-to-day conditions in which we live and work.

Learn how "Growing Up Healthy: Kids and Communities" improves health by focusing on increasing the quality and availability of early childhood development opportunities, and on improving housing and environmental conditions. Current projects are under way throughout the entire state, particularly in communities of color, where health inequities are the greatest.

Immigrant integration and social adjustment

Every week, at least 50 new immigrants arrive in Minnesota. They come — as they have for the past 200 years — for many reasons: to make their families whole, to earn a better living, to achieve healthier futures for themselves and for their children.

Research demonstrates that social connectedness is a key determinant of health. Social ties play a significant role in maintaining psychological well-being and are particularly important for new arrivals to this country. Many factors, including age at migration, changing family and gender roles, past trauma and language and communication all have an impact on health.  We can connect you with current research on this topic as well as nonprofit organizations in Minnesota working to help immigrants and refugees connect in their new communities through our initiative "Healthy Together: Creating Community with New Americans."

Community health workers

Minnesota communities need bilingual, bicultural health workers like never before. The state’s demographics are rapidly changing, and along with the change comes a need for people who can serve as a bridge between the health care system and Minnesota’s newest residents. Community health workers (CHWs) are paraprofessionals who go by many different names — outreach workers, peer health educators, promotoras. They work in clinical and community facilities to provide health and social service linkages. In some cases, CHWs help patients obtain health coverage, make medical appointments and follow through on treatment recommendations. In other cases, CHWs provide outreach, referral and education about specific health issues such as diabetes or teenage pregnancy. Typically, they are bicultural and bilingual individuals whose effectiveness stems from their membership in and understanding of the communities they serve. 

Enter the world of the CHW through their eyes or the eyes of the people they serve.