In order to improve the health of Minnesotans and those in our local communities, it is important for collaborations like MMS Health Communities and Health Care institutions to work together to reduce chronic disease. Lowering the rate of obesity and reducing tobacco use needs to be a top priority.
The health care system is a unique setting where people discuss their health with medical providers. Health care providers can promote the development and maintenance of healthy lifestyle behaviors by encouraging individuals to maintain healthy eating habits, participate in physical activity on a regular basis, avoid the use of tobacco products and limit exposure to secondhand smoke.
Health Care Strategies:
- Advocate and incorporate prevention and treatment of obesity in the health care system.
- Establish the Body Mass Index as a vital sign.
- Support data collection systems in the clinical setting to monitor patients and track trends in obesity.
- Encourage health care providers to address healthy weight behaviors and smoking with patients.
- Promote and provide support for breastfeeding.
Current MMS SHIP Interventions
Health Care Referrals to Local Resources
- Partner with local health care organizations to help set up a system to provide active referral to local resources for patients with specific health issues related to nutrition, physical activity and tobacco use cessation
Resources
- Minnesota Help.info: Online public information and referral portal
- Quitplan tobacco cessation services
- SHIP and Health Care Systems Fact Sheet
For resources specific to your county, please go to Meeker, McLeod, and Sibley County’s individual resource pages.
