Minnesota Public Health Association

09/10/2026

Mark your calendars for !!

Join the co-conference with the Minnesota Public Health Association and the Minnesota Oral Health Coalition on April 5-6, 2027, at the Plymouth Community Center.

This year’s theme, Our Next Chapter: Belonging and Building the Future of Public Health, invites attendees to explore solutions to strengthen our field, focusing on innovation, whole-person care, partnerships, and sustaining the public health workforce.

Stay tuned for more info!

Learn more: https://mpha.net/MPHA-2027

09/09/2026

Who is ready for the fall season? 🍂 Exciting things are right around the corner!

MPHA is gearing up to launch the 2026–2027 Public Health Matters Policy Forum Series. Our committee is hard at work assembling an impactful lineup of breakfast forums highlighting innovative community initiatives that address urgent public health concerns. Local public health touches every corner of our daily lives—it is so much more than bike trails and walking paths!

Mark your calendars for our first forum of the season:

- Date: November 20th, 2026
- Time: 7:30 AM
- Location: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation

Save the date and stay tuned for registration details coming soon!

09/08/2026

Join the Health Equity Committee for Indigenizing Public Health Philanthropy To Support Haliwa-Saponi Veterans.

This session will cover ways to embed Indigenous cultural values and practices into grant development to support Indigenous communities and broader public health goals, highlighting work with the Haliwa-Saponi tribe in North Carolina.

Presenter: Daniel Daugharty Wacker, The Healthy Vets Community Project.

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM

Register here: https://mpha.net/event-6546016.

09/01/2026

MPHA is looking for an intern who is passionate about making a difference in the public health community! This position is best suited for a graduate student; however, others may apply. We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis until September 30, 2026.

This is a unique opportunity to make your voice heard in a professional organization with other seasoned public health volunteer leaders. You will be part of MPHA’s efforts to advance health equity and become a stronger anti-racist organization.

If you would like to gain more knowledge and experience in the public health field by working closely with diverse professionals from multiple sectors and disciplines, then this position is for you!

To apply today, visit: https://tinyurl.com/mpha-intern-2027.

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!
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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