St. Paul, Minnesota — Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) awarded more than $21.2 million in Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grants to counties and cities across Minnesota. Crow Wing County was selected to receive $100,000 in planning grants, while Aitkin County was among seven northern Minnesota counties receiving a combined $1.5 million in innovation grants. Innovative efforts include a range of strategies, such as exploring new ways of working with health care providers.
The grants will be used by communities – in partnership with local businesses, schools, and local governments – to implement projects and programs that will promote exercise and physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease tobacco and alcohol use.
In fact, recent studies have shown that reducing the average Body Mass Index (BMI) in the state by just five percent could lead to health care savings of more than $4 billion in Minnesota over the next 10 years. Reaching that same goal over the next 20 years could save the state as much as $11 billion.
“The Statewide Health Improvement Program is a great example of a public-private partnership that gets results,” said State Representative John Ward (DFL – Baxter). “By improving overall public health, we can save our state and families billions of dollars while improving our quality of life. That’s a win-win for Minnesotans.”
The new grant awards come after Governor Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature restored funding for the SHIP initiative during the 2013 Legislative Session. Funding for the program had been cut by nearly 70 percent, forcing the Health Department to offer the grants in only about half of the state. But the new state budget signed into law this spring increased SHIP funding by $20 million, restoring the opportunity for communities statewide to participate in the program. This additional funding allowed 25 more counties to receive SHIP funding.
“These grants are great news for our communities,” added Rep. Joe Radinovich (DFL – Crosby). “Through these Innovation Grants, Aitkin County will be among those leading the charge for new, creative ways to improve public health and save taxpayer dollars over the long term. This is a worthwhile effort for Minnesota and I’m glad to see it developing through strong public-private partnerships.”
Reps. Ward and Radinovich encourage constituents to contact them with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Ward can be reached by phone at 651-296-4333 or by email at rep.john.ward@house.mn. Rep. Radinovich can be reach by phone at 651-296-2365 or email at rep.joe.radinovich@house.mn.
More about SHIP
Launched in 2008 as part of Minnesota’s bipartisan health reform effort, SHIP works to help Minnesotans live longer, healthier lives by decreasing obesity and tobacco use and exposure the leading causes of chronic disease, disability and death. Obesity and tobacco use cost Minnesota nearly $6 billion in Medical costs every year. In fact, one out of every three Minnesotans are overweight or obese, and more than one in six Minnesotans still smoke.
To help communities combat chronic disease, the Minnesota Department of Health has compiled a menu of evidence-based strategies that local communities can choose from to improve health. MDH also provides communities with technical assistance and evaluates the effectiveness of their initiatives. For additional information about how SHIP works, or how communities are taking advantage of this proven initiative, contact the Minnesota Department of Health or SHIP: The Statewide Health Improvement Program.