About the 2016 Conference:

The “How Healthy Are We in the Northland?” conference marked the release of the 2015 Bridge to Health Survey data.  A summary of the regional level data analysis was presented.  Also featured was a nationally-recognized speaker, Tyler Norris, and representatives from state and community programs.  The speakers described methods for implementing data-driven change at the local level and shared lessons learned from their own experiences.  Examples of data-driven change, regional resources and exhibits, and interactive sessions were provided.

The 2015 effort represents the fifth time that the Bridge to Health Survey has been conducted.  The survey is designed to gather population-based health status data on adult residents in a nine-county region in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.  It was first conducted in 1995, then again in 2000, 2005, and 2010.

The survey process is a collaborative effort involving representatives from over 65 community organizations: public health, hospitals, clinics, tribal health services, not-for-profit organizations, and educational institutions. It captures information on the health status of Northland residents covering physical and mental health, preventive health care, nutrition, exercise, tobacco and alcohol use, uninsured, access to medical and dental care, emergency preparedness, and veterans.

For the full conference agenda, click here.

Learn more about our speakers by clicking here.

  • Tyler Norris, MDiv, Kaiser Permanente
  • Michael Finch, PhD, Finch & King, Inc., Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota
  • Ann Kinney, PhD, Minnesota Center for Health Statistics, Minnesota Department of Health
  • Heart of New Ulm Panel
    • Cindy Winters, Heart of New Ulm Project
    • Jen Maurer, New Ulm Medical Center
    • Karen Moritz, RN, BSN, PHN, Brown County Public Health 
  • ThaoMee Xiong, JD, MPA, Center for Health Equity, Minnesota Department of Health
  • Janna West Kowalski, MS, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute)

A downloadable pdf copy of the speakers' slides are available below (click on link):