Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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Making it Better: Minnesota's Health Improvement Log

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Jan. 4, 2018

Bike + Walk MN Conference

Call for proposals

The Bike+Walk Minnesota Conference (BikeWalkMN) is seeking presentation proposals to present, with a deadline to submit on Thursday, Jan. 18.

The 2018 theme is “Intersections." The conference will discuss how  conventional and unconventional partners and ideas intersected, resulting in best practices, new ideas, and work around Equity. Conference paths include: Adventure+Economics, Design+Development, Art+Engagement, and Safe Routes to School+Community.

Early-bird registration is open with details on the Bike + Walk MN website. The conference is scheduled for April 29 - May 1 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Rochester.  


Planning for Population Health Coffee Calls

Save the dates

Bi-monthly Planning for Population Health Coffee calls will begin next month. Join discussions on topics related to active living, healthy eating and planning.  The goal of these calls is to provide a platform for grantees to share information, advice and best practices on comprehensive plans, master plans, community planning and land use across Minnesota.

Save these dates: Feb. 7, April 4, June 6, Oct. 3 and Dec. 5.  

Call-in details will be added to Basecamp AL and HE  calendars, and watch for more details in future Making it Better logs.


School Garden Cash Opportunity

Up to $15,000 available

Smucker Away From Home is awarding several schools up to $15,000 to be used to create a school garden, with a goal of expanding access to healthy foods for students. Just explain in 250 words or less how a school garden would benefit your students. 

If you are interested, details can be found on the Get Out and Grow website. Entries must be received by March 11.

Calendar of Events

Smoke-Free Implementation Webinar

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 23 
Time: Noon- 1 p.m.

The HUD smoke-free rule implementation date of July 30 will be here before you know it. Join MDH, TA providers and your fellow SHIP grantees for a review of the timeline, policy requirements, suggested implementation activities pre- and post- policy, resident engagement ideas, a quick overview of the Minnesota HUD portal, how to offer cessation support and answers to your questions.

Register for the webinar by going to this Minnesota Department of Heath link.

Please submit your questions prior to the webinar to kara@ansrmn.org.

This Week's Gem

sacred tobacco and a pouch

The Lower Sioux Indian Reservation, located southwest of the Twin Cities on the Minnesota River, is embracing culture and history to re-establish the use of sacred tobacco and decrease the use of commercial tobacco.  Their work was highlighted in the StarTribune this week.

Sacred tobacco is traditionally used in ceremonies and prayer, to be smoked but not inhaled, and is typically made of red willow tree bark, Nicotiana rustica (traditional tobacco) or a mixture of these medicines and other botanicals. 

The Lower Sioux, and several other tribal nations in the state of Minnesota, work the Minnesota Department of Health to reduce commercial tobacco use and increase awareness of how culture is vital to health.

According to the StarTribune, smoking rates among the general population have decreased but smoking rates among American Indians remain the highest of any racial group in the United States. In Minnesota, 59 percent of American Indians report smoking, while about 14 percent of the entire adult population.

Congratulations to all of Minnesota's Tribal Nations for their Prevention Through Culture work. Read the entire story a the StarTribune site.