Bridge to Health Survey Looks at Health of Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — Bridge to Health launched its survey to find out how healthy the Northland is.

Households will be chosen at random to receive a survey asking about physical, mental, and cultural health in their area.

Over 40 organizations across nine northern Minnesota counties and Douglas county in Wisconsin have joined to conduct the survey.

“This year, we’re adding questions that address things like cultural health, where you feel safe and healthy, how often you access providers, and if you have access to that care, all of these responses, again, are then used by varying entities to help shape future health outcomes, policies and procedures in our in our region, to help improve health outcomes.” Jesse Peterson, Executive Director, Generations Healthcare Initiatives

The data is kept completely anonymous and won’t be sold.

It will be used to look at the overall health of an area and help focus where specific funding is needed.

“This survey is a way to really be engaged in the process of identifying what are the priority health needs in one community, they might really need some community supports related to diabetes prevention, but in another it could be access to dental care.” said Stephany Medina, Program Manager for Carleton, Cook, Lake, St Louis Community Health Board.

Participants will receive a $5 gift card for their input.

This survey has been conducted every 5 years since it began in 1995.