Northland communities need more access to resources and more education on nutrition and physical activity.
That’s according to Essentia Health’s Community Health Needs Assessments released Tuesday, Aug. 19. The organization surveys the areas around each of its 14 hospitals every three years.
Seven of those hospitals are in rural Northern Minnesota: Northern Pines in Aurora, Deer River, Virginia, St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes, Fosston and Ada.
Essentia identified two needs in all seven communities: social drivers of health and nutrition and physical activity.
To address the first, the health care nonprofit said it will continue to run a Community Health Worker Program, administer its "Resourceful" resource directory and support local organizations through its grant program.
Addressing the second varies between communities, but generally involves partnerships with schools, farmers markets and other groups.
Injury prevention was the third community need identified in Virginia, Deer River and Aurora. Essentia said it will partner with the Department of Public Safety to educate parents about car seat use and child passenger safety.
Fosston and Brainerd need more mental well-being resources, Detroit Lakes needs child care and Ada needs more education and employment opportunities, the surveys found.
"At Essentia, our commitment to the communities we serve is at the heart of everything we do,” stated Emily Kuenstler, Essentia’s community health director, in a news release.
“We believe that true health care extends far beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics — it's about partnering with local organizations, listening to diverse voices and addressing the unique needs that impact well-being every day."
The full assessment reports are available online.
Ada
For its Ada community assessment, Essentia spoke with eight community organizations and surveyed 80 Norman County residents.
Essentia said it will work with local high schools and colleges to expand access to education, training and economic development opportunities for Norman County residents.
Supporting local talent and keeping young people engaged in the community creates a more resilient and self-sustaining local economy, the organization said.
To promote healthy eating and active living, Essentia said it will expand access to education, provide opportunities for activity and partner with local organizations to increase resources.
“Swim scholarships have an impact on our community by offering benefits of health, safety, well-being and economic impact,” said Brianna Eggen, Dekko Community Center director, in Essentia’s release.
“We are thankful to partner with Essentia to be able to provide these swim scholarships locally to youth in the area. This scholarship not only helps with the financial barrier to community members but also can benefit our local schools in connecting with the community and people where we are located.”
Aurora
For its Northern Pines community assessment, Essentia spoke with six community organizations and surveyed 95 Mesabi East residents.
Essentia will continue to partner with the Mesabi East Environmental Education Center to educate youths about nutrition.
“The Partnership between Essentia and Mesabi East Schools is far-reaching,” stated Rachel Doherty of the Mesabi East Environmental Education Center in Essentia’s news release.
“The Mesabi East community has benefited from this partnership program through the education of nutrition and local foods, along with community and student gardens. Students are making meaningful connections with community members and amongst their peers.”
Brainerd
For its St. Joseph’s community assessment, Essentia spoke with 37 community organizations and surveyed 872 Crow Wing County residents.
The organization said it will support healthy living by hosting a community fitness app and offering nutrition and exercise classes. It will also partner with Crow Wing Energized to support the One Vegetable One Community and reThink Your Drink programs.
A partnership with Brainerd Public Schools also seeks to boost youth education around mental health, in addition to other adult programming. It will also support Central Lakes College’s annual 5K for Mental Health Awareness.
“The partnership with Essentia allows us to fund portions of the race expenses and continue hosting this important event,” said Alita Reque-Peterson, psychology instructor at Central Lakes College, in Essentia’s release.
“We host a mental health resource fair where local mental-wellness organizations table and share about how they can help with mental wellness. The event also encourages the community to exercise — it is a one-mile walk/5K run event — and provides a sense of community.”
Deer River
For its Deer River community assessment, Essentia spoke with eight community organizations and surveyed 184 Deer River and Grand Rapids school district residents.
The organization said to address nutrition and movement needs it will support the Grand Rapids Farmers Market, integrate whole foods in the Deer River School District and enhance activity options at the Ball Club Community Center.
“Essentia's partnership with the Grand Rapids Farmers' Market helps anchor our Mighty Matching Dollars program,” said Jane Jewett, a representative for the Grand Rapids Farmers’ Market, in Essentia’s news release.
“Market customers who use SNAP can get up to a $10 match from this program on every market day. Along with other state and federally-funded matches, Essentia's support helps consumers stretch their food dollar to buy healthy, local food from our area farmers.”
Detroit Lakes
For its St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes community assessment, Essentia spoke with 10 community organizations and surveyed 184 residents of Becker County and the Mahnomen, Park Rapids and Waubun-Ogema-White Earth school districts.
Essentia said it will partner with local organizations and support community-based initiatives to improve healthy eating and active living.
It will do the same to increase access to child care options.
“Essentia’s community health Investment in the Early Care & Development Foundation (ECDF) is making a meaningful impact in Becker County,” said Kelsey Varty, ECDF chair. In Essentia’s release.
“Thanks to generous donors like Essentia, the foundation has awarded funding to nearly 40 home- and center-based childcare providers who collectively care for more than 415 children across five Becker County communities. At ECDF, we believe that supporting childcare is a direct investment in economic stability and community growth. Access to reliable, high-quality care enables parents to fully participate in the workforce, reducing absenteeism and turnover for local businesses.”
Fosston
For its Fosston community assessment, Essentia spoke with 17 community organizations and surveyed 64 residents of Fosston, Bagley, Erskine, McIntosh, Oklee and Winger.
The organization plans to work with local food vendors, restaurants and other groups to increase access to nutritious meals. It said it will also develop self-guided walking routes in local parks and trails to improve access to physical activity.
To address mental well-being, Essentia said it will support the Fosston school district’s Second STEPS curriculum, which focuses on social-emotional learning and skill-building.
“Continuing the Second Step Curriculum at Magelssen Elementary will further enhance our school environment and support our students,” said Dan Boushee, principal at Magelssen Elementary School, in Essentia’s news release.
“This initiative will particularly benefit social-emotional learning, promote youth mental well-being and underscore the significance of early intervention in equipping students with essential coping mechanisms and interpersonal skills. Your support in this endeavor would be immensely valued.”
Virginia
For its Virginia community assessment, Essentia spoke with nine community organizations and surveyed 130 residents of the Rock Ridge, Mountain Iron-Buhl, Hibbing and Chisholm school districts.
To improve nutrition and movement, Essentia said it will partner with the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency to support farmers markets, Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability on community gardening in Virginia and enhance parks and trails in Chisholm and Hibbing.
“The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) chose to partner with Essentia’s community health department because our missions align in promoting health, wellness and equitable access to resources,” said Carrie Pellinen, food access manager at AEOA, in Essentia’s release.
“By combining access, education and economic support, the partnership between AEOA and Essentia creates a more food-secure and health-conscious community.”
