Minnesota Public Health Association

08/20/2026

Join the Minnesota Public Health Non-Profit Collaborative on September 3rd for a timely virtual training on Kratom, an emerging substance raising new public health questions and community concerns.

What this session covers:

- Understanding Kratom: What kratom is, common usage patterns, and potential health risks.
- Policy & Regulation: Current federal, state, and local regulations governing sale and distribution.
- Community Guidance: Practical insights to support informed conversations and decision-making in local communities.

Register today: https://mpha.net/event-6782519

This session is hosted by the MN Public Health Non-Profit Collaborative, which includes the Local Public Health Association of Minnesota (LPHA), Minnesota Public Health Association (MPHA), Minnesota Society for Public Health Educators (Minnesota-SOPHE), Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance (MNCHWA), Minnesota Rural Health Association (MRHA), and the Minnesota Environmental Health Association (MEHA).

08/17/2026

This statement was developed by the MPHA Policy & Advocacy Committee Vaccine Workgroup, in partnership with Immunize Minnesota Coalition, a new program of MPHA. We began drafting this statement months ago. However, recent statements from Federal leadership continue to sow doubt and misinformation about childhood vaccines. We are taking this critical moment to affirm the continuity of lifesaving public health interventions for children in Minnesota.

Read the full statement here: https://mpha.net/about/media-resources/statements/13669175

08/14/2026

📢 Big news for our St. Paul community!
The "Pathways to Wellness" event is happening this Saturday, August 15, at the Arlington Hills Community Center. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with local health resources, enjoy carnival-themed activities, and grab school supplies for the upcoming year.

For all of the event information, go to https://www.power1047.fm/post/free-community-health-event-brings-resources-school-supplies-to-st-paul-s-east-side

Families on St. Paul’s East Side can get ready for the new school year while connecting with free health and wellness resources. 

Pathways to Wellness takes place Saturday, Aug. 15, at Arlington Hills Community Center. The free, family-friendly event will feature health screenings, school supply giveaways, food, children’s activities, entertainment and more.

Get more information at Power1047.fm

08/11/2026

Today is Primary Election Day! Your Vote. Your Voice. 🗳️

Make sure your voice is heard today, August 11! Here is everything you need to know before heading out:

- Polling Hours: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM. As long as you are in line by 8:00 PM, you have the legal right to cast your vote!
- Find your polling place, learn how to register on Election Day, and check what to bring: https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/election-day-voting/
- See what’s on your ballot: https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot/

Share this post to remind your friends and family to make a plan to vote today! 💙❤️

08/10/2026

Last week, Minnesota lost a true public health champion, Dr. Ed Ehlinger.

In all his leadership roles, including state health commissioner and MPHA president, Dr. Ehlinger worked tirelessly to improve health outcomes and make our health care and public health systems better. He continued to be a voice for public health well into his retirement, continuing his involvement with MPHA and sharing stories and insights on his Substack blog, including this recent post from June 2026: Epistles from a Public Health Metaphysician: Parable of the Pitch (https://edehlinger.substack.com/p/epistles-from-a-public-health-metaphysician-5b2).

Our public health community is grateful for his leadership, mentorship, and friendship.

Please see Dr. Ehlinger's full obituary: https://epilogg.com/obituary/edward-buck-peter-ehlinger-minneapolis-mn-usa-19804.

*Note the livestream links for Friday's celebration and Saturday's visitation and service.

08/09/2026

Your vote is your voice, and having a plan makes all the difference! 🗳️ From checking your registration status to knowing where your polling place is, taking a few minutes now to prepare ensures you’re ready to participate.
​Unsure where to start? Always rely on official, non-partisan sources like your local Secretary of State’s website for the most accurate and up-to-date voting information. Let’s make a plan to vote!
​

on Primary Voting
August 11 is Primary Election Day! Be prepared. Find out what's on your ballot, your election day polling place, and more by visiting the VOTER INFORMATION PORTAL at MNVOTES.GOV/MYBALLOT

08/06/2026

Join the Health Equity Committee for "Democracy Work is Health Work: The 2026 Midterms and Update from Healthy Democracy MN Partnership"!

A strong democracy is critical to public health's ability to affect systems and policies for health. In this session, the Health & Democracy MN Partnership (hosted within MPHA) will cover the connections between democracy and population health, why health work is democracy work, current opportunities for action, and an update on how the upcoming midterms are critical for stopping the backslide of authoritarianism in America.

Presenter: Catherine Harrison, RN, MPH (Chair of the Health & Democracy MN Partnership)

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM

Register today: https://mpha.net/event-6546015

07/16/2026

Join the Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance and MPHA at the Minnesota State Capitol as we celebrate Governor Tim Walz's proclamation of Minnesota Community Health Worker Day.

Together, we will honor the vital role Community Health Workers play in advancing health equity, strengthening communities, and improving the lives of Minnesotans across the state.

Community Health Workers, partners, employers, stakeholders, and allies are invited to attend and share their lived stories.

We look forward to celebrating this historic milestone with you!

Learn more and register here: https://mnchwalliance.org/events/minnesota-community-health-worker-day/.

07/07/2026

Join the MPHA Health Equity Committee on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 5:30 PM CT for a vital conversation on the intersection of medicine and social justice. This virtual session features Dr. Michael Aylward, Program Director for the Internal Medicine/Pediatrics residency program at the University of Minnesota.

Drawing from his extensive experience in medical education and his passion for integrating human rights into medicine, Dr. Aylward will explore how physicians can step into powerful advocacy roles to champion health as a fundamental human right.

Register here: https://mpha.net/event-6546012.

06/30/2026

Help shape MPHA's biggest event of the year! We are officially forming the planning committee for our Spring 2027 Annual Conference, and we want YOU to be a part of it.

This is a fantastic opportunity to build your network and gain experience in event planning, program curation, or promotions. All are welcome, and absolutely no prior experience is required.

What to expect:
- Meetings: Every other Wednesday, 12:00 – 1:00 PM CT on Zoom, starting July 8th!
- Time Investment: Just ~2 hours a month for meetings, with light, flexible tasks outside of meeting times.

Discover what the MPHA Annual Conference is all about by viewing past events, and join our committee today to make 2027 our best year yet!

Join today: https://mpha.net/event-6744675.