Library

Looking for new and notable information to help you dig deeper into an issue? Start with these featured reports and web sites, and then browse through our full selection by topic.

Reports: Featured

Status of women and girls in Minnesota: Research overview
Women's Foundation of Minnesota and Center on Women & Public Policy, June 2010, 20 pp.
Provides health, safety, economic and leadership data on women and girls in Minnesota. Analysis of the measures reveals greater disparities for women of color, rural women, older women, women with disabilities, and women who identify as lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation
White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity, May 2010, 124 pp.
This report focuses on broad actions aimed at reducing childhood obesity including: creating a healthy start on life for children, from pregnancy through early childhood; empowering parents and caregivers to make healthy choices for their families; serving healthier food in schools; ensuring access to healthy, affordable food; and increasing opportunities for physical activity.

State indicator report on physical activity
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2010, 15 pp.
This report shows that many states lack policies and environmental measures to help their residents meet recommendeds level of physical activity. It examines state level policies and physical features that encourage physical activity such as community access to parks, playgrounds, community centers, sidewalks and walking paths, and individual behaviors.

America's future: Latino child well-being in numbers and trends
National Council of La Raza, April 2010, 38 pp.
This data book offers a comprehensive overview of the state of Latino children by integrating a range of key factors and outcomes in the areas of demography, citizenship, family structure, poverty, health, education, and juvenile justice

Physical activity and healthy eating in Minnesota: Addressing root causes of obesity
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health, April 2010, 13 pp.
This report summarizes the results of two surveys carried out to measure the prevalence of physical inactivity, unhealthy eating and obesity among adult Minnesotans. It provides Minnesota-specific data to guide policy development, advocacy and program planning to benefit the health of all Minnesotans.

Healthy food, healthy communities: Promising strategies to improve access to fresh, healthy food and transform communities
PolicyLink, March 2010, 28 pp.
Presents promising programs and policies that work to increase access to healthy foods in underserved communities.

Building communities for a lifetime in Minnesota: A report to the 2010 Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota Board on Aging, February 2010, 43 pp.
The Minnesota Board on Aging explored designating Minnesota "Communities for a Lifetime," or community settings that foster healthy and successful aging. They looked at national and local models, sought stakeholder input, looked at requirements for administering such a program, and made recommendations based on the results.

Health insurance coverage in Minnesota: Early results from the 2009 Minnesota Health Access Survey
Minnesota Department of Health, February 2010, 7 pp.
Initial results from a 2009 survey about the rates of insurance coverage among Minnesotans. Sample findings include uninsurance rates, sources of coverage, uninsurance rates by race and ethnicity, demographic characteristics of the uninsured, and trends based on previous surveys.

The Grocery gap: Who has access to healthy food and why it matters
PolicyLink, The Food Trust, February 2010, 44 pp.
Inequitable access to healthy food is a major contributor to health disparities. This report presents a large body of evidence that many low-income communities, communities of color, and sparsely populated rural areas do not have sufficient opportunities to buy healthy, affordable food.

The Hidden health costs of transportation
American Public Health Association, February 2010, 12 pp.
Estimates the health care costs of obesity, air pollution from traffic, and traffic crashes based on existing case studies, and argues for incorporating health evaluation and cost assessment as part of transportation policy.

Creating a better state of health: The Statewide Health Improvement Program
Minnesota Department of Health, January 2010, 126 pp.
Reports on progress made during the first six months of funding for the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), including program development, early results from communities, and options for future funding. SHIP aims to improve the health of Minnesotans and contain ever-increasing health care costs by reducing tobacco use and exposure and obesity through evidence-based policy, systems and environmental change strategies.

State indicator report on fruits and vegetables, 2009
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, January 2010, 8 pp.
Provides national and state-specific information on fruit and vegetable consumption and policy and environmental support within each state.

Promoting healthy lifestyles: The impact of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Triple Play Program on healthy eating, exercise patterns, and developmental outcomes
Youth Development Strategies, August 2009, 21 pp.
Evaluation of a multi-faceted program for youth designed to demonstrate how eating smart, keeping fit and forming positive relationships add up to a healthy lifestyle. The study found improvements in nutrition knowledge, healthy eating and exercise habits, peer interactions, and club culture and structure. Positive outcomes were found across the range of clubs even though clubs used different approaches and served different populations.

Recommended community strategies and measurements to prevent obesity in the United States
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 2009, 32 pp.
CDC-recommended obesity prevention strategies focusing on environmental and policy level change initiatives.

Web sites

State estimates of substance use and mental health
Data on drug, alcohol, and cigarette use, and mental health for people age 12-17, 18-25, and 26 and older for Minnesota, other states, and the United States.

National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
Searchable database of interventions designed to promote mental health or prevent or treat mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring disorders.

Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health
Presents state and national data on children's health. Indicators include: overall health status, asthma, socio-emotional difficulties, preventive health and dental care, early childhood experience, repetition of grade, reading, and attending religious services.