Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP)
Stearns County SHIP Newsletters
View the SHIP Newsletters folderof our Document Library
What is SHIP?
The Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) seeks to create sustainable, systematic changes in schools, communities, worksites and health care organizations that make it easier for Minnesotans to incorporate healthy behaviors into their daily lives.
SHIP, an integral part of Minnesota’s nation-leading 2008 health reform law, strives to help Minnesotans live longer, healthier lives by preventing the chronic disease risk factors of tobacco use and exposure, poor nutrition and physical inactivity.
In total, the Minnesota Department of Health awarded 40 SHIP grants, creating opportunities across the entire state. Each grantee needed to complete at least one activity in each of the following: Healthcare, Community, Worksite and Schools – and needed to focus on at least one intervention on Obesity (physical activity and nutrition) and one intervention on Tobacco.
Stearns County SHIP
Based on survey and focus group data, Stearns County selected 6 interventions:
- Implement a tobacco-free policy to apply to students, staff and visitors on university grounds, buildings and vehicles.
- Develop relationships among health care providers and community leaders and build partnerships to facilitate active referrals of patients to local resources that increase access to high quality nutritious foods and opportunities for physical activities.
- Implement policies and practices that create active schools by increasing opportunities for non-motorized transportation (walking and biking to and from school) and access to school recreation facilities.
- Implement policies and practices that create active communities by increasing opportunities for non-motorized transportation (walking and biking) and access to recreation facilities.
- Implement policies and practices that create active worksites by increasing opportunities for non-motorized transportation (walking and biking) and access to worksite recreation facilities.
- Implement policies and practices and environmental changes that improve access to nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Who are the Stearns County SHIP grantees?
Currently there are four categories funded by SHIP:
What are SHIP grantees doing to improve health?
The schools of St. Cloud, Sartell, Rocori, and Albany are in the process of developing sustainable efforts to increase physical activity to and from school and during the school day. Safe Routes to School , “zero-hour physical activity” and classroom brain-bursts are just some of the initiatives occurring. St. Cloud State University has initiated campus wide conversations related to the topic of tobacco use on campus .
Communities with SHIP projects are: Paynesville, Sartell, Albany/Avon, Melrose/Freeport, Waite Park and St. Cloud. Some activities occurring include development of community gardens , farmers’ markets, LakeWobegon Trail signage and improvements, and various bike programs. These communities share a common theme of improving access to recreational areas and increasing physical activity as well as improving access to nutritious foods.
CentraCare and BLEND are developing a system for active referral of patients to local resources. Young children (ages 0-17) who are seen by a participating physician will have their Body Mass Index ( BMI ) calculated and when appropriate, encouraged to adopt healthy eating and exercise behaviors which will combat childhood obesity.
Worksite initiatives are in the process of being awarded. It is envisioned that employers will develop policies that will encourage and enhance opportunities and access to physical activity and healthy nutrition in the workplace.
How is SHIP different?
SHIP focuses on sustainability through policy, system and environmental changes (PSE) which support healthy improvements. By targeting the risk factors of obesity and tobacco exposure, SHIP is addressing the leading preventable causes of illness and death in the United States.
How long will SHIP be around?
Funding for SHIP ends June 30, 2011. However it is the intention of the program that the policies, systems and environmental changes will continue to have positive effects long after the funding is over.
What’s the pay off?
SHIP provides opportunities for Stearns County residents to change their behaviors, decrease morbidity and mortality, and enjoy a better quality of life. This becomes feasible when the healthy way is the easy way.
Where can I find information about SHIP?
http://www.health.state.mn.us/healthreform/ship
http://www.co.stearns.mn.us/government/countydepartments/humanservices/contactinformation#health