Minnesota is often cited as having one of the healthiest populations in the country. Yet, research has shown persistent disparities in health outcomes. Researchers at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) took a closer look to see whether the disparities could be explained by bio-genetic factors. The answer, according to their 2014 report, was no. Since then, notable efforts to reduce these disparities have occurred. These efforts will be part of an upcoming MDH report highlighting progress and work remaining to help ensure all Minnesotans have the resources they need to be healthy.
To get a head start on more meaningful progress, health plan leaders, employees, community partners and state agencies are collaborating to identify solutions. Success will depend on connecting with and listening to the people we serve, especially those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. These conversations can lead to greater understanding of the unique needs of our members.
Coming together
In January 2025, the Minnesota Council of Health Plans hosted its annual Health Equity Summit. Keynote speaker Brooke Cunningham, M.D., Ph.D., commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, stressed to an audience of health plan leaders and Council board members that work to reduce and eliminate health disparities requires voice and input from all.
“Access to information and a community exchange of input is power, this empowers people to act in ways (that benefit) their community,” she said. “This is not the start nor the end.”
The event also highlighted two nonprofit organizations teaming up to advance health equity.
Jennifer Lundblad, president and CEO of Stratis Health, and Liz Cinqueonce, president and CEO of Minnesota Community Measurement, discussed how their nonprofits work together to generate important community benefits. In addition, Lundblad said data used by her organization to improve healthcare quality and safety needs to be more standardized and transparent to enable better understanding of community needs. Minnesota Community Measurement (MNCM) helps drive improvements by providing meaningful data, including social risk factors, to health care decision makers. This enhanced measurement and reporting supports the shared goal of reducing disparities and improving outcomes for all Minnesotans.
As mission based nonprofit organizations, Stratis, Minnesota Community Measurement and the Council are motivated to make healthcare work for everybody.
“Being nonprofit means our bottom line isn’t about hitting a quarterly profit target—it’s about supporting Minnesotans with needed services,” said Lucas Nesse, president and CEO of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. “I’m proud of the fact that nonprofits, including members of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, are organizations dedicated to finding new and innovative ways to serve their communities.”
Below are some examples of how Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans are working to improve health equity:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota supports the opening of a new Rural Behavioral Health Clinic in partnership with Minnesota State University, Mankato to not only provide mental health services but also act as a teaching center for students pursuing future careers in mental health professions. One in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year; however, those numbers can increase for people who live in rural areas. A lack of providers in rural areas or a lack of transportation can make access to care more difficult.
- HealthPartners is committed to youth development by elevating the voice of young people through their Teen Leadership Council, a program to develop the next generation of resilient leaders by giving youth a platform to make change and learn about how many different factors can influence a community’s health.
- Hennepin Health supports the integration of spiritual care into treatment and reducing hospital readmissions for Muslim patients by more than two-thirds at Hennepin Healthcare’s inpatient psychiatry department.
- Medica offers new health equity trainings and continuing education credits to providers, including focusing on culturally appropriate care in maternal and behavioral health.
- UCare advocates for change by providing free cultural competence education to foster inclusive health care delivery and improve health outcomes in partnership with Violet Health, ensuring culturally diverse patients will have a in-network provider who understands their background and needs.