Health Equity
Health is our greatest resource, and yet it is unequally and unfairly distributed across populations along social lines, like race, gender and income.
Why This Matters
The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation has a vision to achieve a world without heart and vascular disease… and that means for all people.
To this end, we work to identify disparities, build trust and partnerships with diverse communities, and design lifesaving research and educational programs to prevent, improve and eliminate cardiovascular disease.
We have a long way to go in achieving our vision of health equity. But Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation’s proven record of investigation, initiation, and innovation has changed the landscape of cardiovascular care and outcomes for patients – and we will continue to forge paths to optimal heart and vascular health for all.
Recent Highlights
Program Highlight: Girls Taking Action
In summer 2023, MHIF partnered with The Power of People Leadership Institute (POPLI) to pilot the first Cardiovascular Micro-credential for high school girls. The 5-week, experiential program aimed to demystify the careers in cardiology and health, teach the girls about social drivers of heart health and gain transferable skills required for a career in health sciences.
Heart-to-Heart Conversations podcast
Co-hosted by MHIF’s Medical Director of Health Equity and Health Promotion, Dr. Courtney Jordan Baechler and Batala McFarlane, the Heart-to-Heart Conversations podcast aimed to close racial disparities in heart disease by combining personal stories from people of color and their experiences with heart disease.
Sponsored by Boston Scientific and in a joint production between the Insight Health Equity Action Lab and the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, the goal of this podcast was to inspire more conversation and action towards creating a culture of health.
On the Pulse: Setting the Standard of Health Justice
This webinar was recorded in November 2022: Learn about health disparities research that is currently underway at MHIF and featured an engaging panel discussion that includes Juleen Christopher, PhD, BCC; Delaine Teabout Thomas (MHIF’s newly appointed Women’s Health Equity Fellow), MPH and Batala McFarlane (publisher of InSight News), who will discuss the current landscape of healthcare disparities, the impact this has on the local community and what’s next in this critically important field.
Heart of New Ulm Project
Our team pioneered research in rural communities as evidenced by our award-winning Heart of New Ulm Project, which was designed in partnership with key community stakeholders to deliver the best interventions to reduce heart disease and its risk factors at a population level.
Fresh Food Friday
In partnership with Northside Health & Wellness Center, the 2022 MHIF Interns participated in Fresh Food Friday; a large outdoor summertime food distribution that runs from May through September each year.
Our Work in Action
Community partnerships are key to making this work successful.
Yes, racism is a public health crisis: now what?
The current lack of transparency between community, healthcare consumers, and care providers is a major hurdle as we work together to address racism and health disparities. The good news is that innovative design can help us build accountability and transparency into our relationship with healthcare and ensure better outcomes for all. Listen to Delaine Teabout Thomas, Women’s Health Equity Fellow at MHIF, give her TedEx talk about addressing and redesigning inequitable systems that impact health.
Girls Taking Action Webinar
Listen in to a discussion between the Girls Taking Action organization and Courtney Jordan Baechler, MD and Delaine Thomas, MPH. In honor of Black History Month and American Heart Month, they discussed the importance of prioritizing heart health in the Black community. The conversation touches on the unique challenges our community faces, how to put the power back in our hands, and a moving story with personal heart health issues.
Ongoing Research
Prevention Yoga and Meditation Study
In partnership with Chance York, Black Certified Mindfulness Instructor and registered Yogi, CVS Health, and local twin cities community members, MHIF is conducting research to access how mindfulness and meditation may help improve blood pressure, quality of life and sense of belonging. We are responding directly to what community is asking for–changing how we conduct research for equitable results. Here is an example in action… stay tuned for what we discovered and learned together.
Disparities in Severe Aortic Valve Disease Study
In an ongoing study led by Dr. Mario Goessl, MHIF researchers are investigating why patients diagnosed with severe, symptomatic aortic valve stenosis have survival rates that are comparable or worse than many advanced malignancies. We're studying the common barriers to receiving appropriate guideline-driven care for patients with severe aortic stenosis, including referral biases by primary care providers, patient comorbidities, as well as psychosocial issues and cultural barriers. Additionally, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and education level are shown to be persistent barriers to accessing healthcare services, creating a significant practice gap between various patient populations.
Diabetes & High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Study
In partnership with Nice Healthcare, MHIF researchers are studying women diagnosed with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or preeclampsia during pregnancy who may not always receive the recommended follow-up care. The purpose of this study is to understand why and explore ways to improve access to care for women of color who often have barriers related to access, transportation, traditional clinic hours and childcare limitations. This study will research whether the NICE Healthcare virtual and in home care model is a novel approach to effectively improve access and reduce risk among patients experiencing the highest disparities.
Patient Story: Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Nadra is a long-time member of the MHIF team, and she generously shared her journey of discovering her family's history with heart problems, which inspired her to begin taking care of her own heart. To say she has a passion for heart health advocacy is an understatement!
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