September Issue of Public Health Matters from the City of Minneapolis
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 1:21AMVia a September 19 e-news from the City of Minneapolis:
Welcome to the September edition of Public Health Matters. The Minneapolis Health Department is committed to supporting a healthier city. Through this newsletter, we will bring you important issues affecting public health.
Our vision
Healthy lives, health equity and healthy environments are the foundations of a vibrant Minneapolis now and in the future.
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Health Department social media channels
For the latest Health Department news, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Find important information on our website.
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In this month's edition:
- You Matter: Suicide Prevention Month
- New COVID-19 vaccine guidelines
- Upcoming events
- Health Department employee spotlight
- Items of interest
- Department updates
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September is Suicide Prevention Month. It gives us an opportunity to rededicate ourselves focusing on our own mental health as well as others.
It's important to really listen to our loved ones, friends and colleagues. Listening and knowing how to respond can help lead to better mental health outcomes.
If you know someone struggling, learn how you can help someone with these 5 Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain by the National Institute of Mental Health:
- Ask
- Keep them Safe
- Be There
- Help them Connect
- Stay
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors. Please use 988 if you are in a crisis or provide this information to someone you know struggling.
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Resources
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is committed to preventing suicide and supporting frontline professionals. There are many resources available if you or someone you know is in crisis — whether they are considering suicide or not. They include:
- The Crisis Text Line also offers free 24/7 mental health support. Text “10-18” or “SCRUBS” to 741741 for help.
- Safe Call Now is a confidential, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their family members nationwide. Call 206-459-3020.
- The City has created this public list of mental health support resources for residents and loved ones.
- Support after a suicide loss
Videos
- How Suicidal Tendencies Spread Through Families and Classrooms
- The Suicide Rate is Going Up. Here’s What We Can Do to Stop it
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Minnesota Department of Health statement on new COVID-19 vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines aimed at the circulating COVID-19 variants. These new vaccines are approved by the FDA for everyone 6 months or older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued formal vaccine recommendations Sept. 12.
Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham stated that these vaccines are an even more effective tool, targeting the variants we know are in our communities right now. Cunningham encourages eligible Minnesotans to contact their doctors or pharmacists to schedule an appointment.
Cost
These are the first COVID-19 vaccines to be commercialized, which means there may be costs. To avoid a surprise bill, speak with your health insurer about your coverage before scheduling a vaccination.
Free or low-cost vaccine options for people without health insurance:
- Contact the nearest Community Health Center (CHC) near you. Find locations at Minnesota Health Centers: Find a Health Center.
- Find a community vaccination event near you by calling the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 public hotline. Call the hotline at 1-833-431-2053 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Visit Vaccines.gov to find other locations including pharmacies offering COVID-19 vaccines at no cost.
- Ask your clinic about getting free or low-cost vaccines for your child.
- Check the MDH Vaccination Clinic Web Map to find clinics that offer low-cost shots.
COVID tests available
Help reduce the spread of COVID. The state is offering free, rapid, at-home COVID-19 test kits to residents of eligible communities. Get a free at-home COVID test kit
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The Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council is now taking applications. As a member, you’ll help improve the way we grow, process, distribute, eat and compost our food.Together we can make a difference by building a more equitable and sustainable local food system in our city. Applications are open through Oct. 31. Apply now! |
Information Session When: Oct. 11 from 5-5:30 p.m. Where: Northeast Recreation Center – 1530 Johnson St. NE |
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Protect yourself from the flu by getting vaccinated
The flu season is almost here. Starting today, the City will be offering flu shots at our free vaccine clinics.
Last season in Minnesota, the flu reached pre-pandemic levels with more than 3,300 hospitalizations and 182 deaths.
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The flu can affect all of us but is especially dangerous for:
Getting vaccinated helps protect you, your loved ones and our community. Let’s all enjoy the fall activities with one less worry. Together we can make a healthier and happier community. Resources |
September flu clinics
A Mother’s Love
Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 4:30-7 p.m.
Northside Community Center
701 W. Broadway Ave.
Partners in Prevention
Thursday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Center for Changing Lives
2400 Park Ave. S.
Fall Harvest Health Fair
Friday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Native American Community Clinic
1213 E. Franklin Ave.
Fighting the flu
Minneapolis Firefighter Mark DeLude, who is following in his father’s footsteps as a firefighter, encourages everyone to get their flu shot.
Mark lost his father, who was not vaccinated, to complications from the flu.
Watch Mark’s story: Fighting the Flu: Minneapolis Firefighter Saving Lives in Father’s Memory
School supply drive
Tyronda Powell and Laura Green with our School Based Clinics recently led the charge to help make sure Minneapolis High School teens have the basic needs as we start the school year.
Tyronda and Laura held a supply drive, asking Health and City employees to donate basic needs such as:
- Deodorant
- Soap
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Tissues
- Body lotion
The drive collected approximately $1,000 in supplies. Great work!
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Eduardo MardonesEduardo Mardones is one of our registered environmental health inspectors who is dedicated to his job. His job consists of inspecting food businesses, lodging establishments, swimming pools and spas, and body art businesses. Eduardo, who has been with the City since 2015, was inspecting food vendors at the Southside Back in the Day city celebration when he ran into Mayor Frey. The mayor told Ed he was very appreciative of all the inspectors’ work in the city. Keep up the great work, Ed! |
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National Food Safety Education Month!
- Wash your hands and work surfaces often
- Do not cross-contaminate food
- Cook food to the right temperature
- Refrigerate perishable food promptly
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Pledge to take more trips by walking, biking or transit
Pledge to boost your health, save money and reduce stress by shifting at least one of your weekly car trips to walking/rolling, biking or transit. Maybe you opt for a short walk to the grocery store, hop on the bus to work or bike your kids to school one day this week.
The As You Go MPLS campaign celebrates getting around the city in ways that support the City’s mode-shift goal in the Transportation Action Plan. By 2030, the City aims to have three out of every five trips taken by walking, biking or transit.
Visit the City’s website to take the pledge. It’s available in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong. You can also choose to share your personal experience or story about what motivates you to get around by walking, rolling, biking or transit.
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Fairgoers ranked Minneapolis’ tap water the best tasting water in the state!
Random State Fair goers blind taste tested 16 different Minnesota tap waters inside the State Fair’s Eco Experience during the fair.
Did you know tap water is more heavily regulated than bottled water, and costs a fraction of the price? Minneapolis tap water costs about a half cent per gallon. Compare that to an average 20-oz bottle of water at $1.50, which translates to $9.60/gallon on average. Not to mention the extra waste of single-use plastic bottles!
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Request for Proposal: Community Opioid Response and Engagement
The Minneapolis Health Department is requesting proposals from organizations that focus on treatment and long-term recovery for traditionally underserved communities. This request uses $150,000 of the City’s Opioid Settlement Funds and is part of a larger strategy responding to the opioid crisis. We are seeking qualified organizations to support community driven projects to prevent, treat, and maintain long-term recovery of opioid use and addiction in underserved and underrepresented communities, including our Native and East African populations.
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Healthy Homes & Lead Hazard Control
Free child lead testing eventsWe are bringing a mobile testing lab to your neighborhood. A blood test is the only way to know if your child has lead poisoning. The Minneapolis Health Department recommends children who live in homes built before 1978 get tested every year of their life, up to 6-years-old. Lead poisoning can cause serious health issues, such as:
Find an upcoming free lead testing event near you Read more about our lead testing program in the Sahan Journal |
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Homegrown Minneapolis
2023 Farm to School Community BBQ
Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Culinary & Wellness Services is excited to host their annual Farm to School Community BBQ -- a celebration of local food in our district and community! This free outdoor event includes delicious local foods, fun hands-on activities, live music, a corn-shucking contest, and more.
Where: MPS Culinary Center – 812 Plymouth Ave. N.
When: Sept. 27 from 4-6:30 p.m. (Sept. 28 rain date)
Learn more about the event on the MPS Culinary & Wellness Services webpage
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In Case You Missed It: Minneapolis Food Vision
Homegrown Minneapolis recently announced the release of the final draft of the Minneapolis Food Vision (MFV). Developed by people who live, work, and eat in Minneapolis, the MFV is a 10-year plan meant to build and support a local food system that is resilient, just, and equitable. It also builds on previous efforts and plans of the City and is a companion to the recently adopted Climate Equity Plan.
Learn more about the MFV and view the full PDF on the City's program page
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Opioid Response Team
National Recovery Month
Did you know that 3 out of 10 people in the United States face challenges related to mental health or substance use?
This month, we come together to offer hope, embrace acceptance, and celebrate the incredible power of recovery.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, remember, you're not alone. There's a network of compassionate resources ready to help you on your journey to recovery.
Find resources on our opioid webpage
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Sustainability, Healthy Homes and Environment (SHHE)
Phasing out black plastic
The Green To Go ordinance addresses recyclable and compostable to-go containers for food.
Black plastics have been allowed under Green To Go. However, we plan to phase it out because black plastic is problematic.
We are interested in your comments on making this change.
During the summer, we will meet with businesses and other stakeholders to collect feedback. We will review your comments and suggestions to determine how we move forward to reduce the impacts of black plastic.
Black plastic issues
Black plastics are trash. Using black plastics do not align with the City of Minneapolis Zero Waste Plan goal of reducing waste.
Some of the problems:
- Recyclers are no longer accepting black plastics
- Black plastics do not have good end markets to make them into new materials
- Black plastics are not allowed in Minneapolis residential recycling carts
- Black plastics end up in the landfill or are sent for incineration
What you can do
We encourage you to stop using black plastics when your current supply is used up.
Instead of black, purchase clear or white recyclable plastic. Another alternative is to use compostable containers.
Resources
Find out more about Green To Go
Read the Green To Go ordinance
Learn about the City's Zero Waste Plan
If you have questions about Green To Go, contact Minneapolis 311 by emailing Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov or calling 612-673-3000. Ask for an Environmental Health supervisor.
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Green Cost Share Program
The Minneapolis Health Department is working hard to build a more climate resilient City. The City’s Green Cost Share Program provides financial assistance to help community members pay for property upgrades that help the environment.
The program helps pay for a variety of projects, including solar installations, energy-saving improvements, innovation pollution reduction efforts and projects that reduce vehicle pollution.
Video
Green Rock Apartments. Building a more climate resilient Minneapolis. The video showcases how the City helped a 4d affordable housing property owner make investments in electric car charging stations, a solar array and new roof installation, among other upgrades.
Programs like this are helping to build a better tomorrow in our city.
Sign up to get alerted when the next round of applications begin
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Green Careers Exploration Program: Solar installation training
Are you interested in Solar Energy Career Pathways?
Jobs in clean energy and solutions for climate change are some of the fastest growing and best paying in the nation.
The Minneapolis Health Department’s Green Careers Exploration Program is partnering with Minneapolis Climate Action and other community partners for the next round of Solar Installation Training.
The 56-hour credentialed training for people who have an interest in the solar industry is administered by Midwest Renewable Energy Association.
Young adults, people of color and women are encouraged to register. No experience or prerequisites are required.
While the training is free, you may also qualify for a stipend if you meet income qualifications.
Register for the next training Oct. 9-19
Space is limited.
Questions
Contact Akisha
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Apply now to lower your gas bill
Minneapolis residents eligible for energy assistance may qualify to have the additional cost of a winter storm surcharge removed from their gas bills.
Gas customers eligible for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can qualify to have a gas surcharge removed. The extra charge is associated with extreme fuel costs during Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
The City of Minneapolis is encouraging anyone who may qualify to apply for assistance:
The fee will be removed through September 2026.
Additional benefit
Those who qualify for (LIHEAP) will also be enrolled in the CenterPoint Energy Gas Affordability Program. This will limit the amount a customer will pay per month on their gas bill.
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Director of Health Operations
The Director of Health Operations ensures that the foundational elements of the Health Department are executed in an efficient and effective manner. The core infrastructure of the department, its administrative, legislative, financial, and operational functions are housed within this division, and they are essential to the work that the department does in the community.
This position works to develop and maintain highly effective teams that can support the programmatic work of staff across the wide range of service areas that exist in the department.
