Public Health Promotion
Promoting opportunities for health and well-being.
Who we are
Our goals are to prevent chronic disease and promote community well-being. Many factors influence our health. We aim to understand and address these factors. Our focus is promoting opportunities for health and well-being in populations who experience the greatest inequities.
Partnerships are key to improving the health of whole communities. We work with partners to co-create solutions that meet specific community needs. Our partners include community-based organizations, cities, faith groups, healthcare settings, schools, and worksites.
We drive changes in policies, systems, and environments to improve our community's health. When making these changes, we must recognize the history that creates the policies and practices we are trying to change. Harmful policies and practices are often rooted in structural racism. Hennepin County has declared racism a public health crisis. Health equity and anti-racism is a priority in everything we do.
Our areas of focus include:
- Nutritious eating
- Active living
- Substance use prevention
- Community mental well-being
- Food security
- Community-clinic linkages
- Healthy aging
- Pandemic response and recovery
- State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) activities
Contact Abbie Zahler to explore how your organization can work with Public Health Promotion.
Featured projects and resources
Increasing social connection for older adults in Hennepin County
In 2024, Hennepin County awarded grants to local organizations with a goal of promoting social connectedness among older adults within Hennepin County.
Commercial tobacco use still a problem, especially among people with mental health conditions
People with mental health and/or substance use challenges continue to smoke at rates 2-3 times higher than the general population. Hennepin County Public Health is trying to support them quit.
Health@School resources: Create safe and positive environments for learning
Trainings on mental well-being and commercial tobacco prevention for school employees, parents, and caregivers to provide healthy environments for students and young people.
Upcoming worksite campaigns
Learn more
Explore our resources and learn how you can work with Public Health Promotion. Learn more about us.