State Launches Office of American Indian Health

May 30, 2024

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) officially launched Minnesota’s statewide Office of American Indian Health (OAIH) at the Capitol on May 29.  

The office will work to improve the health and well-being of American Indian communities in Minnesota and to ensure Native communities are represented in all MDH public health activities. 

The office’s activities include supporting the promotion of public health in American Indian communities through partnerships, targeted initiatives, and a spectrum of public investments in housing, transportation, education, healthcare, economic opportunities and criminal justice. 

There are 11 federally recognized tribal nations who share geography with the state of Minnesota. American Indians nationwide and in the state of Minnesota have lower life expectancies and higher chronic disease incidence than the general population. 

Legislation authorizing the office was passed in 2023 to improve the health and well-being of American Indian communities and ensure tribal and urban Indian communities are represented in all of Minnesota’s public health initiatives. In addition to the new office, MDH continues its commitment to strengthening government-to-government relationships with the 11 tribal nations by following the Tribal Consultation Policy that requires all parts of the department to consult with tribes before taking actions significantly affecting one or more of the tribes in Minnesota. 

To learn more about OAIH, visit the Office of American Indian Health webpage.