Walk the Timeline from Innovation to Regional Data Models

Public Health System Transformation Update Newsletter
September 2025 | View all system transformation newsletters

Minnesota’s first regional data models were built from the ground up. Rather than being mandated by a state or federal grant, these models sprang up organically from locally led innovation projects supported by the Minnesota Public Health Infrastructure Fund. This dedicated funding gives local and Tribal health departments the time and space to test new ways of doing foundational public health work, with lessons for the entire statewide public health system.

2021 to today: Building the case for regional data models

• 2021: The Minnesota Legislature appropriates $6 million annually to identify, test, and expand new ways of building capacity in foundational public health responsibilities.  SCHSAC and the Joint Leadership Team establish the Minnesota Public Health Infrastructure Fund to support locally led projects that improve, pilot, or strengthen approaches to building foundational capacity, and that can share implications and lessons for the entire state public health system.
• 2022: Locally led innovation projects start to explore regional data models in Southeast Minnesota and Northwest Minnesota.
• 2023-2025: Evidence grows, showing local, regional, and statewide benefits of working together regionally to build public health data capacity. The Minnesota Public Health Infrastructure Fund continues to invest in and learn from innovation projects supporting regional data collaboration.
• Summer 2025: SCHSAC amends recommendations for the Minnesota Public Health Infrastructure Fund, to dedicate up to $1.6 million annually for up to eight regional data models ($200,000 per region per year), on an ongoing basis.
• Today: Local and state staff are planning together where, when, and how to roll out regional data models. This includes hosting discussions at regional LPHA meetings and SCHSAC meetings, and in other spaces.
• Fall 2025: Local public health, along with support from state staff, engage in regional conversations assessing needs, interest, and facilitating planning conversations with partners.
• October 2025: Regional data model representatives from Southeast and Northwest Minnesota regions shared their journeys and how the lessons they've learned help regional data models build capacity statewide.
• Early 2026: Regions begin to form and implement regional models to collect, use, and share local population health data. 

Where can you join the timeline?

Reach out to your regional public health system consultant in the MDH Center for Public Health Practice to start a conversation about cooperating regionally toward shared infrastructure for population health data.