Governor Walz signed a health and human services bill securing $205 million in stabilization funding for Hennepin Healthcare Medical Center, which had been at risk of closure after eight years of operational losses, with 75% of its patients uninsured or on public insurance.
Health + Wellness
Find stories and resources by some of the state’s top Black physicians that aim to address current disparities in prevention and treatment within our communities.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Turning Point celebrates 50 years of culturally specific care
Turning Point, Inc. MN, a North Minneapolis substance abuse treatment center serving the African American community with a culturally specific approach, celebrated its 50th anniversary this week, having served more than 25,000 clients since 1976.
Posted inEvents
The Black Parachute Is Giving Away Free Journals for Black Men Across the Twin Cities
The Black Parachute founder Josh Cobb is bringing free guided journals and mental wellness resources directly to Black men across the Twin Cities through a series of pop-up events this summer, with stops at Juneteenth celebrations and community events through August.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Advocates Question Safety of HERC Incinerator Amid PFAS Concerns and EPA Lawsuit
Environmental advocates are renewing debate over Hennepin County’s waste incinerator, raising concerns about PFAS emissions, federal rollbacks of pollution standards and unequal health risks for communities near the facility in North Minneapolis.
Posted inDr. Q's News
Summer wellness: Simple ways to stay strong all season long
Dr. Ayanna Quamina’s summer health column covers hydration, sun protection, heat exhaustion, digestion and movement, with practical tips for staying well all season long.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
New South Minneapolis Clinic Promises to Make Healthcare More Accessible to Residents Regardless of Insurance
Southside Community Health Services has opened a new $30 million East Lake Street Clinic in South Minneapolis, offering medical, dental, vision and behavioral health services for residents with and without insurance in one of the city’s most underserved corridors.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
U of M Expert Says Hantavirus Risk Is Low, While Nurse Has Concerns and Elder Combats Distrust
A University of Minnesota infectious disease expert says the risk of a widespread hantavirus outbreak remains low, but a frontline nurse and the Cultural Wellness Center director say preparedness, consistent information and community trust are critical.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Residents Rally Behind HCMC, Which Finds State Funding Days Before End of Legislative Session
HCMC went from facing closure to securing a promised $205 million in state funding after a legislative deal brokered by Gov. Tim Walz, as residents and health care leaders rallied at a public forum hosted by Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
The nurses you don’t see are often the ones who help you avoid a bigger health crisis
Medica’s Andrew Marshall writes that some of the most important nursing work happens outside hospital walls, where nurses coordinate care, prevent costly breakdowns and help people stay healthier at home.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
HCMC could close in June. Lawmakers have two weeks to stop it
Hennepin County Medical Center could begin closing in June if lawmakers fail to reach a funding deal before the legislative session ends May 18, as the hospital faces a financial crisis years in the making and federal Medicaid cuts that threaten to deepen the damage.
Posted inDr. Q's News
Environmental medicine, and why our surroundings matter
Dr. Ayanna Quamina explains how environmental medicine connects everyday toxins, pollutants and chemicals to chronic illness, and why this conversation is especially urgent for Black communities.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Petition opposes daycare near Northside methadone clinic
Project Refocus is petitioning against a daycare placement next to a methadone clinic on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis, citing needle litter and opioid safety concerns for children.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Hunger Strikers Confront Hennepin County Board Over HERC Closure, Sending Commissioners Into Recess
Zero Burn Coalition hunger strikers disrupted the Hennepin County Board meeting on day 12 of their strike demanding a vote to close HERC by December 2027 before ending the strike the following day.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Spring is in the air, and so is the grind: Fitness communities of color kick off the season
Fitness communities of color across the Twin Cities are hitting their stride this spring with the EZ Bike Club’s breast cancer awareness ride, Black Men Run Twin Cities and Tierra Rec Club bringing people together to move, heal and connect.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Air and water disparities, and the fight to shut down HERC
HERC trash incinerator residents describe living next to a facility that sounds like an airport tarmac, causes respiratory illness and sits in a majority-Black community absorbing pollution from across Hennepin County.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Clinicians, Scientists Call for Closure of Hennepin Energy Recovery Center by 2027
Scientists and clinicians argue HERC’s outdated 30-year permit fails to protect North Minneapolis residents as hunger strikers demand a vote to close the trash incinerator by December 2027.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Hunger strikers say Hennepin County commissioners won’t meet with them
Zero Burn Coalition hunger strikers say Hennepin County commissioners have refused to meet with them six days into their action demanding a vote to close the HERC trash incinerator by December 2027.
Posted inCommunity Voices
Fear, and the mental health impact of the anti-immigration climate on children
Immigrant children mental health crisis in the Twin Cities is described by a Somali therapist who calls for culturally responsive services and community investment as the only genuine response.
Posted inEvents
The Black Parachute Is Giving Away Free Journals for Black Men Across the Twin Cities
Black Parachute free journals for Black men are available at pop-up events across St. Paul from April 11 through May 23 at no cost as part of a mental wellness mission.
Posted inDr. Q's News
Spring detoxification: Supporting your body’s natural process
After a long winter, spring is finally here, and with it comes a certain kind of energy. After months of slower rhythms, heavier foods, and limited sunlight, there’s a natural shift toward lightness, movement, and renewal. You might feel it in the urge to open windows, declutter your home, or set new goals. Your body […]