A Healthier Southwest is dedicated to helping the community live longer, healthier lives by reducing risk factors for chronic disease. We do this by supporting changes in policies, systems, and the environment. Our goal is to make it easier for people to incorporate healthy behaviors into their daily lives; specifically focusing on schools, communities, worksites, and healthcare.
This effort is funded, in part, by the Minnesota State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP). Membership is comprised of community members, partnering organizations, and SWHHS employees. If you would like to know more, please contact us at (888) 837-6713 and ask to speak to a Health Educator about SHIP.
Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP)
SHIP is an acronym for the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership. SHIP works to prevent disease before it starts by helping create healthier communities that support individuals seeking to make healthy choices where they live, learn, work, and play.
SHIP is working to make "THE" healthy choice the easy choice in 4 settings: schools, worksites, community, and healthcare organizations. SHIP is working in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock counties.
Thinking about quitting smoking?
SHIP works on policy changes such as updating tobacco ordinances, tobacco-free grounds, and Clean Indoor Air Acts. We work with coalition members, that include high school youth groups, that are interested in tobacco control and education. We are also working with HUD multi-housing units to become tobacco-free by July 31, 2018.
Health Equity Data Analysis
SHIP completed a Health Equity Data Analysis (HEDA) project in the spring of 2018 with its focus on adults age 55+ in Lincoln County. The full report can be found on the Planning and Assessment page of the website.
One of the outcomes of the HEDA was the creation of the Lincoln County Resource Guide attached below. For any updates or changes please contact 507-532-1243.
Southwest Minnesota Local Food Guide
In 2013, through a SHIP grant initiative, the Local Food Guide was created. This guide was compiled to encourage and enable health-wise and ecologically-smart purchasing decisions in our local SW Minnesota food system. Please review this resource and consider supporting local SW MN producers.