2022 Annual Report

Our Division saw a lot of changes in 2022. We moved from the emergency response phase of COVID-19 to managing the effects of the disease. Our Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program shifted from two years of providing virtual visits to offering more choices for participants – virtual and in-person services. And we responded to the shifting needs of our community with a fresh strategic plan focused on an equitable recovery for all.

Throughout all this change, staff remained laser focused on our mission: to engage the community in promoting, protecting and improving the health of all. Staff adapted throughout the year to provide the community with locally based support and services. We hired our first community health workers to deepen relationships with diverse communities and help break down barriers between communities and health care systems. We brought on two Public Health AmeriCorps members as part of the first cohort of this new national program. These are just some of the ways in which our staff adapted to the changing needs of the community and future workforce.

In this report, we share a few stories to illustrate ways we are responding to crucial needs in our community, with a focus on reducing health and racial disparities. When I reflect on these stories, I am filled with pride; I am grateful to work with such a dedicated team. I invite you to explore the highlights below to see how our staff, partners and community adapted to change in 2022.

Undergoing treatment for breast cancer is difficult enough with a support system. It is even more challenging for those living alone. This is the case for a Richfield resident, whose home has become cluttered to the point where it is no longer livable. With support from Public Health Nurse Lisa Schroeder-Olson, the home will soon become safe once again.

In 2022, Public Health saw an increase in residential properties that were deemed a public health nuisance and in need of support: 57 homes across Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield needed public health resources, compared to 29 in 2021. Cluttered homes that restrict access to windows and doors can pose health and safety risks to both residents and emergency responders.

The goal is to make the home livable and to avoid eviction. “You have to go in and be very positive, because people can have a lot of shame,” shared Lisa. “We let them know it is okay...we say, ‘You’ve done what you can, and now we’re going to help you get to a place where you can live in your house.’”

There are several reasons why a person’s home may become unsanitary, including mental illness, isolation, or cognitive decline in older adults. “One resident I work with started collecting items after his mom passed away,” said Lisa. “He also has trauma from serving in the Vietnam War.”

What drives Lisa to continue this work are the success stories. One resident who was feeling overwhelmed asked if the City could check in every week. Lisa gave her a small area to focus on cleaning each week. The whole cleaning process took her nine months – but she did it. The resident was so grateful for the City’s help, she volunteered to help motivate other clients.

Public Health Nurses provide support to residents year-round to promote health and safety. They connect individuals and families to local resources, provide emotional support, and collaborate with community partners to help address health needs.

As of 2022, approximately 41% of Minnesotans lacked access to paid sick leave. Data also highlighted inequities in access across race, gender, and income. The same workers that are least likely to have sick leave or the financial ability to forego wages are in occupations most likely to have contact with the public.

“When you don’t have access to paid leave, you are more likely to come to work or send your children to school while sick. This can worsen or prolong illnesses and increase infection rates.” - Public Health Specialist Kate Ebert

Bloomington’s City Council appointed a task force comprised of City staff, including from Public Health, to research and draft a paid sick and safe leave proposal. The task force also included residents and members from Bloomington’s business community, nonprofits, and organized labor.

Public Health looked to research from past global outbreaks, like H1N1 in 2009, to see the impact of these policies. It is estimated that five million to seven million Americans contracted the flu that year from a lack of paid sick leave.

The City Council unanimously approved an earned sick and safe leave ordinance for workers who work at least 80 hours per year in Bloomington. The ordinance outlines one hour of leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours in a year. Businesses with six or more employees must provide paid time off while businesses with five or fewer employees only need to provide unpaid time.

Significantly, the ordinance also provides “safe leave,” which is paid time off for victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault. This time can be used to receive medical treatment, legal support, relocation services, and other supports to ensure their protection and well-being. The ordinance will go into effect July 1, 2023.

“This ordinance will result in a healthier and more productive workforce, better health outcomes for our community, and improved family economic security,” Ebert explained.

When community members cannot access safe and affordable housing it impacts their physical and mental health. In 2018, the Division’s Health Equity Data Analysis found stark health disparities between renters and homeowners. For example, renters are more likely to exercise less, forgo medical care, and visit the dentist less often. Renters also reported poorer general health, more diagnosed depression and asthma.

To help reduce these disparities, Public Health has prioritized building relationships with renters and expanding their leadership skills. In collaboration with HOME Line, a nonprofit tenant advocacy organization, Public Health established an onsite presence at two large multiunit rental complexes in Bloomington. This work is further supported by a bilingual Community Health Worker in the Division.

Public Health identified three tenants to participate in a formal tenant leaders cohort, and began holding Tenant Coalition meetings in September 2022 to build connections among tenants. The Coalition is made up of tenants who are motivated to facilitate change toward bettering their living conditions and finding support within their buildings. Through these meetings, staff empowered renters as active participants in shaping the policy, systems and environments that influence opportunities for health where they live.

“I couldn’t wait to share some of the things I have been learning. I know that I’ll be developing skills I can take forward with me. Being a single mom working multiple jobs, I didn’t always have the time to participate in my community. To have a consistent way to give back, that’s what I see this [leadership role] as.” - Davina St. James, Tenant Leader Cohort member

Together, Public Health staff and tenants are leading the way to change policies, systems and environments at the intersection of health and housing. The partnership with HOME Line lends itself to statewide reach and collective impact to address social factors of health between housing providers, renters and local public health.

In 2022, the widespread shortage of infant formula, due to supply chain issues and a major recall, affected families across the country. The families that Bloomington Public Health serves were especially impacted by the shortage, as they are primarily individuals with fewer resources or a lower socioeconomic status.

“Our clients are low income and have various stressors on their lives,” shared Marianne Nelson, supervisor of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program. “They don’t have four or five dollars a gallon for gas to go to several different stores, or have unreliable transportation. They face a lot of barriers that make it even more difficult for them to find the formula.”

Public Health staff rose to the challenge by helping WIC participants feed their infants during this stressful time. Support included finding other formula options, breast/chestfeeding information and help, and suggestions for parents who combine breast/chestfeeding with formula feeding.

“One client called in a panic because her WIC debit card wouldn’t work in the store. It turns out she was trying to use the card at a self-check-out lane, which don’t accept WIC cards,” said Marianne. “Or sometimes it’s a slightly different type of formula and we need to adjust the system to allow temporary substitutions. It’s like being a sleuth.”

Staff also educate clients on what not to do, such as trying to create their own formula at home. Infant formula is strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and needs to have certain nutrients; homemade infant formula may not have enough of the critical nutrients a baby needs.

Watch the  KSTP/Channel 5 story  about the formula shortage, featuring Bloomington WIC Supervisor Marianne Nelson.   

Learn more about Bloomington Public Health’s  peer breastfeeding program .

A recent analysis found that state and local public health departments need an  80% increase  in their workforce to provide basic public health services in the United States. Most of those positions – 54,000 – are needed in local health departments.

Bloomington Public Health is helping to train the future public health workforce by offering a variety of internships, field experiences, and clinical placements for students and early career professionals.

“Bloomington is our most flexible clinical site. That flexibility is wonderful because students need to also fulfill rotations in pediatrics and women’s health. Bloomington Public Health shows the greatest commitment to students.” -Dave Muhovich, Associate Professor of Nursing, Bethel University

New programs like AmeriCorps’s Public Health Corps allow public health departments to recruit, train and develop the next generation of public health leaders.

Students and Public Health Corps members explore the variety of careers within public health. In addition to the more well-known roles such as public health nursing or health education, individuals can work in contracts management, office administration, data analysis, communications, and more. All of these roles help public health agencies to achieve their mission.

“I think the Public Health Corps is really valuable because public health work is extremely broad…being able to work in public health in a shorter time frame allows people to get their feet wet and have some idea of what this field is like without having to commit to a long-term position.” - Addie Engebretson, Public Health Corps Project Coordinator

In this slideshow, view more examples of the impact we made in 2022 across Bloomington, Edina and Richfield. 

The majority (72%) of Public Health’s funding comes from federal, state and local grants and contracts. Property taxes and fees for services make up the remaining amount.

Special thanks to the Bloomington, Edina and Richfield city councils for their generous support and investment in public health. 

Bloomington Public Health provides health services to a population of nearly 180,000 residents across Bloomington, Richfield and Edina. Additionally, Public Health serves people who work in and visit these communities. This tri-city relationship has been in place for 45 years, since 1977.

Public Health provides direct services to individuals and families, and promotes data-driven policy and systems change informed by its client-based work.

Staff serve everyone in the community with an emphasis on vulnerable populations. This includes individuals with less resources and those with functional or access needs. It also includes populations who have historically experienced health disparities due to structural racism, including immigrants and refugees, and individuals from our Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. For example, 86% of the clients of the Bloomington Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in 2022 were from BIPOC communities.

We remain committed to promoting, protecting and improving the health of all, with a focus on reducing health disparities and advancing racial equity. 

1900 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431

952-563-8900; MN Relay 711

 publichealth@bloomingtonmn.gov   

 blm.mn/publichealth 

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