Chronic Disease Prevention

The Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) works to create healthier communities across Minnesota by expanding opportunities for active living, healthy eating and tobacco-free living.

Healthy communities create opportunities for all Minnesotans to live longer, healthier lives. 

Thanks to SHIP, St. Louis County communities are: 

• Increasing access to fresh, local fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, local corner stores, emergency food programs, mobile markets and other food retailers 
• Serving healthier foods and increasing access to physical activity opportunities at schools and child care facilities 
• Making biking and walking easier 
• Taking steps to make multi-unit housing sites smoke free 
• Working with small- and mid-sized employers to improve workers’ health and productivity 
• Working with health care sites to strengthen connections to community program and resources supporting breastfeeding moms 

Public Health offers a free program for people living in southern St. Louis County whose asthma is not well controlled.

A Public Health Nurse visits families in their home to assist with asthma management. The nurse helps families learn about asthma, assesses homes for asthma triggers, provides information about how and when to use medications, and assists in coordinating care with health care providers.

• Educate Yourself about Asthma 
• Learn How to Control Asthma
• Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Home Page

St. Louis County collaborates with other public health organizations to improve the quality of health care delivery to populations with hypertension and prediabetes. The interventions aim to improve the quality and delivery of preventive services for managing hypertension and prediabetes.

The interventions include theNational Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP).

People with prediabetes may be on the road to develop type 2 diabetes and are also at increased risk for serious health problems such as stroke and heart disease.

Take the prediabetes risk test

Sign up for the Diabetes Prevention Program through the Juniper Network or the Minnesota Department of Health.

The World Health Organization defines mental health as:

"A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."

St. Louis County public health professionals work closely with community partners to address the rising mental health needs of our communities.

• Northland Healthy Minds
• Mental Health Promotion

St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services is one of two Communities of Practice in the state to implement the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Opioid Prevention Strategy. Through this opportunity, public health professionals are supporting healthcare systems with updating prescriber guidelines for opiates, improving assessment and referral processes, and working with community partners to provide opportunities for medication disposal and syringe exchange.

Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Initiative (SAPII)
A team of Social Workers and Public Health Educators work with community partners to combat substance abuse across St. Louis County.