Community-Clinical Linkages

Strengthening connections among health care, public health, and community partners

More and more health care systems across Minnesota are coordinating with local public health to help Minnesotans lead healthier lives through community-based prevention services. 

When connections among health care systems, public health and community partners are strengthened, patients have better access to services and resources in their community to prevent or manage chronic conditions and improve their quality of life. Plus, health care and public health are stronger when they work together. 

Through the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) and connections among health care systems, community collaborations are strengthened and patients have better access to services and resources to prevent or manage diseases and improve their quality of life. 

Health care and public health are stronger when they work together.

Creating healthy communities

Chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke take a personal toll on our families and have a significant economic cost as well. Health care partners are key to screening and referring patients to community-based resources and evidence-based self-management programs.  

Linkages happen in different sectors

As individuals, we do not have the ability to address fully or sustainably community-wide health challenges. When clinical and community sectors work synergistically, they can improve care and support patients better than either of these sectors could do alone. When we build systems that support each other toward success, we are able to achieve population health. 

Our evidence-based models for change generally engage three sectors:

Community

Provides services, programs, or resources to community members in non-health care settings.

Public health 

Can lead efforts to build and improve linkages between community and clinical sectors.

Clinical

Provides services, programs, or resources directly related to medical diagnoses or treatment of community members by health care workers in health care settings.

Examples of community-based prevention efforts: 

• National Diabetes Prevention Program 
• Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance 
• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program 
• Baby Café or Breastfeeding-Friendly Recognition initiatives 
• Age Friendly Communities 
• Food Rx 
• Walk With Ease