The Minnesota Department of Health has awarded 39 grants to community health boards (covering 86 counties) and tribal governments (8) across the state. The $47 million appropriation, known as the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), focuses on the policies, systems and environments that impact health. Over the next two years grantees will partner with schools, worksites, health care providers and community organizations to reduce tobacco use and exposure and overweight and obesity.

Schools are a critical partner not only because of their unique role supporting the health and learning of students, but also because they function as a worksite and a hub of community life. Children spend roughly half their waking hours at school during the years when they are acquiring lifestyle habits. An environment that supports and models healthy behavior is critical to their becoming successful, healthy and productive citizens.  And with an increasing body of evidence linking health to academic success, schools can work to improve school health and the success of their students.

Community health boards and tribal governments will work with schools to implement changes in nutrition, physical activity and tobacco use and exposure; the three most preventable causes of chronic disease. Unlike prevention programs focused on individual behavior change, SHIP interventions move upstream and focus on the policies and systems that help to sustain changes in their environment. For example, a school might choose to implement a comprehensive nutrition policy around healthy fundraising, meals, vending, and concessions that would improve the food system in the school and provide learning opportunities for students.

“If we want to truly improve health in Minnesota, we have to move upstream to prevent the chronic diseases that bring people into the health care system in the first place,” Dr. Sanne Magnan, Minnesota Commissioner of Health said.  “SHIP can reach across the state to improve policies, systems and environments and make it easier for Minnesotans to engage in healthy behaviors that help prevent chronic disease.”

For more information about SHIP, visit the Minnesota Department of Health Web site: www.health.state.mn.us/healthreform/ship/