cover story one
Maternal and Infant Health Disparities
Strategies for Reductions
By Ruth Richardson, JD and Alice Mann, MD, MPH
In 2020, Minnesota leaders declared racism a public health crisis – including the Hennepin County Board, the Minnesota House of Representatives, the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor and the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners. The Minnesota House became the first legislature in the nation to pass a statewide declaration naming this crisis and created the House Select Committee on Racial Justice.
cover story two
The Future of Rural Healthcare Architecture Beyond the Building
By Todd Medd, AIA and Kristine Sallee, CID, LEED AP ID+C
In 2021 the term “rural healthcare” lies in a politically correct universe somewhere between pariah and relic. Phrases like “outstate” or “Greater Minnesota” are now considered more appropriate for almost anywhere outside the Metro areas, and smaller communities are homes to top quality, cutting edge health care facilities. Perhaps the term “rural” evokes unintended comparison to Mayberry R.F.D., but in reality, 97% of today’s U.S. geography — nearly a quarter of the U.S. population — falls under rural healthcare delivery. With the population spread out over a wide land area, the geography of rural America makes access to healthcare a prominent challenge.
HEALTH CARE ARCHITECTURE HONOR ROLLL
For the past 33 years Minnesota Physician’s Health Care Architecture Honor Roll has recognized outstanding achievement in new facilities design. Despite every element of creating new environments for health care delivery experiencing COVID-related setbacks, a surprising number of exemplary new facilities were completed last year. The projects featured in 2021 will serve patients of all ages and health status at sites throughout the state. Our thanks to all those who participated in this year’s Honor Roll.
