Public Health

Mission: To engage the community in promoting, protecting and improving the health of all. 

Vision: A healthy community empowered by our locally based support and services.

Bloomington Public Health is guided by the 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS). These services describe the public health activities that all communities should undertake. For the past 25 years, the EPHS have served as a well-recognized framework for carrying out the mission of public health. 

The Local Public Health Act outlines the shared public health responsibilities of the state and local governments in Minnesota and

• Establishes accountability for funding on statewide initiatives,
• Provides guidelines for assessment and planning,
• Requires documented progress toward the achievement of statewide goals, and
• Assigns oversight of the statewide system to the commissioner of health.

NEW: 2022 Annual Report 

Past annual reports
2021 Annual Report 

Community Health Survey Data Book

Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP)
The CHIP was developed through a joint effort of Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Minneapolis and Hennepin County. CHIP addresses complex health issues and aims to reverse health and racial inequities. It does this by partnering with communities, public health agencies, health systems and clinics, housing developers and providers, spiritual, faith and cultural communities, schools, and human service organizations.

Health assessments

• Data from the Community Health Assessment 
  Completed in conjunction with Hennepin County Public Health and the Minneapolis Health Department
• Breastfeeding Community Assessment 2016

Housing and Health 2018 (Health Equity Data Analysis in Richfield)

• HEDA (1-page summary).pdf
• Final Report (Housing and Health).pdf

 Minnesota Student Survey Data

Please contact us for the latest student health data from the Minnesota Student Survey. Public Health can provide data analysis for students in the Bloomington, Edina and Richfield school districts.

1. E-cigarette use is prohibited in the following public spaces:
   • Places at work
   • Restaurants and bars (including their outdoor spaces)
   • City-owned parks and recreational areas
2. Flavored tobacco products are no longer sold in Bloomington
3. Healthy eating, biking and walking (Bloomington, Edina and Richfield)
4. Know your rights as a worker who is pregnant or breastfeeding

National and state public health resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov

Minnesota Department of Health: health.state.mn.us

Student internships

Looking for an internship, field experience or clinical placement? 

Before completing an application, please read the following guidelines:

1. A contract must be in place between the City of Bloomington and the college or university before a student can apply. Public Health has contracts with the following programs:

• Augsburg University, Nursing
• Bethel University, Nursing
• Minnesota State University, Mankato, Nursing
• Normandale Community College, Dietetics
• Normandale Community College, Community Health
• Southwest Minnesota State University, Nursing
• University of Minnesota, Public Health
• University of Minnesota, Nursing

2. Preference will be given to post-secondary college students living in south Hennepin County, especially within the cities of Bloomington, Edina and Richfield. 
3. Preference must be given to students currently enrolled at local colleges or ones within Minnesota. 
4. The minimum time commitment is 40 hours.
5. Applications should be completed at least two months prior to requested start date.
6. An interview may be requested before being accepted.
7. Applications must include:

• Resume
• Current transcript
• Course syllabus that includes course expectations and requirements
• End of semester evaluation requirements

Before starting an internship, a student's professor must provide confirmation of the following. Written and verbal contact from a professor is required:

• Bloodborne pathogen training
• HIPAA training
• Criminal background check within the past two years
• Up-to-date immunizations
• Mantoux test completed within the past two years

Apply Online

Submitting an online application does not guarantee placement with Bloomington Public Health.

Bloomington Public Health recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the experience of its employees and interns and in supporting the Division’s mission. The Division is committed to attracting employees and interns with varying identities and backgrounds.

Volunteer opportunities 

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

CERT volunteers are members of the community trained in basic response skills by emergency personnel. Volunteers are prepared to save lives, prevent the spread of disease and protect themselves, their families and their community in the event of a disaster. 

CERT training is a collaboration between Bloomington and Richfield.

For more information, visit the City of Richfield. 

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

MRC volunteers include medical professionals and nonmedical community members without healthcare backgrounds. Volunteers help to strengthen public health emergency response efforts, build community resiliency and engage the public in health promotion information and community events.

Interested in learning more? Email your questions to MRC@BloomingtonMN.gov.

To become a volunteer:

1. Complete a City of Bloomington volunteer application and background check authorization form and email to MRC@BloomingtonMN.gov. 
2. Read through the following tutorial on how to complete an online profile. 
3. Once you have received confirmation, complete the following trainings and email your certificate(s) to MRC@BloomingtonMN.gov.
   1. Orientation
   2. Psychological First Aid
   3. Introduction to National Incident Management System (NIMS)