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

Healthy corridor for all: A community health impact assessment of transit-oriented development policy in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Policy Link, December 2011, 48 pp.
Part of a project to understand the potential impacts of the proposed transit-oriented land use changed on the communities that live in the Central Corridor, this report includes an overview of the project, describes key findings, discusses impacts and identifies recommendations. more info >

A tightening squeeze: The declining expenditures on food by American households
Food Research and Action Center, December 2011, 6 pp.
This analysis shows a drop in food spending by the average U.S. household over the past decade.The report reveals a disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic households. more info >

Health status of rural Minnesotans
Minnesota Department of Health, September 2011, 90 pp.
Summarizes key health indicators, health behaviors, and other health determinants of rural Minnesotans. more info >

Healthy food, healthy communities: Promising strategies to improve access to fresh, healthy food and transform communities (expanded version
PolicyLink, July 2011, 84 pp.
Presents promising programs and policies that work to increase access to healthy foods in underserved communities. Includes case studies. more info >

Early childhood obesity prevention policies: Goals, recommendations, and potential actions
Institute of Medicine, June 2011, 4 pp.
This brief offers policy recommendations and potential actions designed to promote healthy environments for young children. more info >

Cigarette smoking interventions among diverse populations
American Journal of Health Promotion, May 2011
This special issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion focuses on how to effectively reduce tobacco's impact on populations who are disproportionately affected by tobacco use. more info >

Implementing national health reform: A five part strategy for reaching the eligible uninsured
Urban Institute, May 2011, 13 pp.
This report looks at strategies to reach health coverage program enrollment goals, including: using reliable data to identify eligible consumers, qualify them for assistance and enroll them into coverage; partnering with states; and coordinating between agencies. more info >

Immigrant children: The Future of Children Spring 2011
The Brookings Institution and Princeton University, March 2011, 270 pp.
Includes a variety of articles that look at the well-being of immigrant children and what can be done to improve their educational attainment, health, social and cognitive development, and long-term prospects for economic mobility. more info >

Women in America: Indicators of social and economic well-being
U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration, March 2011, 97 pp.
This report provides a statistical picture of women in America in five critical areas: demographic and family changes, education, employment, health, and crime and violence. more info >

Beyond the bottom line: Ideas for the future of public investment in Minnesota
March 2011, 53 pp.
Presents 16 ideas that could help Minnesota leaders redesign public services to maximize impact while saving money. This is a follow-up report to Bridges to a Better Bottom Line. more info >

The long run has become the short run: Budget implications of demographic change
Minnesota State Demographic Center, February 2011, 26 pp.
Examines the effect of an aging population on the state budget between 2011 and 2020. more info >

Obesity and access to healthy foods
Wilder Research, February 2011, 4 pp.
Explores obesity in Minnesota and provides approaches to promote effective policy and create community environments where healthy food is accessible to everyone. more info >

Improving access to healthy foods in family child care settings
Wilder Research, February 2011, 2 pp.
Presents information on a Dakota County initiative that trained child care providers to use a curriculum to increase young children's consumption of fruits and vegetables. Includes lessons learned that may be helpful to other communities. more info >

Providing access to healthy foods through school gardens
Wilder Research, February 2011, 2 pp.
Gives information about a Columbia Heights School District project that created an "Edible Schoolyard/Outdoor Classroom." more info >

Assessing food insecurity in Saint Paul
Wilder Research, February 2011, 2 pp.
Discusses the results of an assessment of food needs in four Saint Paul neighborhoods, conducted by the Neighborhood Food Project. more info >

Love of car: Transportation as we age
Minnesota Gerontological Society, January 2011
A video and supplemental material that features solutions to the driving cessation and community mobility issues facing older adults. more info >

Health insurance coverage in Minnesota, Updated results from 2009
Minnesota Department of Health, January 2011, 7 pp.
Results from a statewide survey to study trends in health insurance coverage. Includes an analysis of characteristics of those not insured. more info >

Minnesota student survey, 1992-2010 trends: Behaviors, attitudes and perceptions of Minnesota's 6th, 9th and 12th graders
Minnesota Departments of Education, Health, Human Services and Public Safety, December 2010, 52 pp.
This report identifies trends in the prevalence of behaviors and attitudes of young people, based on 21 years of data from the Minnesota Student Survey. It highlights key indicators across many areas of interest, including: academics and school connectedness, school safety and violence, mental health, ATOD, sexual behavior and family structure. more info >

Rate review: Spotlight on state efforts to make health insurance more affordable
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, December 2010, 44 pp.
Reviews the standards and tools that states have and use to evaluate proposed health insurance premium increases. more info >

The unequal distribution of health in the Twin Cities: A study commissioned by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation
Wilder Research, October 2010, 41 pp.
Examines the extent to which social and economic factors impact health in the Twin Cities 7-county region. The study finds that income, race, education, and place all matter when it comes to health in the Twin Cities. more info >

Health reform and communities of color: Implications for racial and ethnic health disparities
Kaiser Family Foundation, September 2010, 14 pp.
Discusses parts of the health care reform law that are likely to improve access to care for people of color and have an impact on health disparities. more info >

Uninsured children: Who are they and where do they live?
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute, August 2010, 193 pp.
This report uses data from the 2008 American Community Survey (ACS) to provide detailed state estimates of uninsured children, including uninsured rates for children with different demographic, socioeconomic and family characteristics in each state. more info >

America's children in brief: Key national indicators of well-being, 2010
Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, July 2010, 22 pp.
Reports data on a set of indicators of child well-being. Indicators included are in the categories of family and social environment, economic categories, health care, physical environment and safety, behavior, education, and health. more info >

Solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation
White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity, May 2010, 124 pp.
This report is part of the “Let’s Move” initiative to fight childhood obesity. It details a coordinated strategy, identifies key benchmarks, and outlines an action plan to end the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. It presents a series of 70 specific recommendations, many of which can be implemented right away. more info >

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. more info >

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. more info >

Beyond health care: New directions to a healthier America
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, April 2009, 126 pp.
Recommendations from a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation commission for how to improve America's health across many sectors. It includes a community health assessment guide to help a community set priorities and develop strategies for improving the health of residents while reducing disparities in health status. more info >

Dakota County Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative: Results from caregiver focus groups
Wilder Research, August 2007, 45 pp.
A study that examined the perceptions of preschool parents and caregivers regarding key obesity prevention strategies. more info >

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. more info >

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. more info >

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. more info >