January 18, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has hired Odichinma (Odi) Akosionu-DeSouza as its new director of the Center for Health Equity (CHE).
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| Odichinma (Odi) Akosionu-DeSouza |
Prior to joining MDH, Akosionu-DeSouza worked at the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity as a project manager and research scholar. She also served as the director of operations for The Research in Color Foundation, leading efforts to support scholars who are interested in pursuing a PhD degree in economics and related fields, with the overarching goal to improve the number of underrepresented scholars within these fields.
The Center for Health Equity, created in 2013 to advance health equity, has grown dramatically, from about a dozen staff in 2020 to approximately 50 today. Recognizing this growth and the center’s role in providing support and technical assistance across the agency, the executive office has elevated the Center for Health Equity to a division named the Division of Health Equity Strategy and Innovation.
May 2, 2024
On April 29, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation that would require a person whose firearm is lost or stolen to report it to law enforcement within 48 hours of the loss or theft. Not doing so the first time would result in a petty misdemeanor, with greater penalties for future failures.
May 2, 2024
At least two of the MMA’s top priorities continue to advance at the Capitol, as both the Senate and House health omnibus bills were referred to the floor for a vote after being heard in their respective finance committee.
May 2, 2024
The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard legislation on April 30 allowing more Minnesotans to purchase health coverage through MinnesotaCare, by offering a “public option.”