Community Issues

• Healthcare premiums in Minnesota have risen approximately 40 percent since 2002; nearly 80,000 children in the state are without health insurance.
• One leading childhood disease is tooth decay, affecting 50 percent of first-graders. This leads to 51 million hours of school missed due to poor oral health.
• Nearly 30 percent of Minnesota's baby boom generation will lack sufficient income to support their long-term care.

Agenda for Lasting Change Goals

• Increase access to healthcare for an additional 25,000 people by 2010.
• Increase healthy preventive behaviors among an additional 15,000 children by 2010.
• Help an additional 15,000 seniors and people with disabilities maximize their independence by 2010.

Learn More

• Read the United Way Overview (PDF).
• Health and Independence Impact Plan Executive Summary (PDF)
• Last year, 16,500 parents, pregnant women and children received oral health instruction encouraging healthy habits that reduce costly future problems. More results.
• View Health and Independence Success Stories.
• Find health-related tipsheets.