Policy forums

2026-2027 MPHA "Public Health Matters" Policy Forum Series

Local Public Health - More than bike trails and walking paths

Save the Date!

All Forums will be held from 7:30-9:30 AM at the Wilder Foundation, St. Paul/hybrid on: 

November 20, 2026, February 12, 2027, and May 7, 2027

Stay tuned for more!


We are looking for some friends -- will you be one?

A “Friends of the Forum” $50 sponsorship ensures the continuation of this yearly series. Sponsorship includes your participation in all four of the forums. Your name will be listed as a Friend of the Forum and displayed on the ZOOM screen at the start of each forum and again when the forum closes. 

There are two ways you can sign up to be a Friend of the Forum:

  • Register at the "Friends of the Forum" level for the November 21st Policy Forum Event. Please note that you will only have to register once, as we will automatically register you for the additional 2 forums in the series. 
  • Make a donation and make a note that states "policy forum." We will process it accordingly and automatically register you for all forums at the "Friend of the Forum" level. 

 Thank you for your support!

Sponsorship opportunities!


Past MPHA "Public Health Matters" Policy Forum Series Themes

Immunizations, Prevention therapies, healthcare treatment and drug approvals, and Nutrition: Food Policy, Fads, Facts and Public Health

2024 - 2025

Connecting the dots... a call to action!

Food Insecurity, Mental Health, and Housing


2023 - 2024

Mythbusters: What’s tried and true; what’s new?
Infants and Young Children, Children and Adolescents, Mid-years, and Older Generations


2022 - 2023

Safety is No Accident: Public Health Approaches to Injury Prevention...

At Home, at Work, in our Communities & Schools, and on the Move


2021 - 2022

What Can We Learn From Each Other?

Challenges in Education, Maternal and Child Health, Food and Nutrition, and in a Coordinated Global Response

Challenges in Education, Maternal and Child Health, Food and

Nutrition, and in a Coordinated

Global Response

2019 - 2021

"Environmental Health: Is There Justice for All?"

Continuing where we left off at the beginning of 2020, we will continue to explore the intersection between environmental health and health equity in the water we use? In the places we live? For our vulnerable populations? And in our public health response?


2018 - 2019 

Stayin’ Alive Today…


How have we been working?; Can we work smarter?; Can we work better?; Where are we headed?

2017 - 2018 

Who Can You Trust?


In making health care decisions; To deliver health care messages; When thinking about food, drugs & nutritional supplements; In your community

2016 - 2017 

Why is THIS Public Health?

Mental health and the healthcare system; Community planning & development; Our changed and changing society; Climate change & public health

2015 - 2016 

Healthy… Right from the Start

Fornewborns; For early childhood; For the world around them; For safety & well being

2014 - 2015 

Zip Code Matters!…

Where we Work; Play; Learn; and Eat

2013 - 2014

A Community of Caregiving…

For the Children; For Aging Parents; For Kinship & Grandparenting Roles; For the Silver Tsunami


2012 - 2013

The Teenage Experience…

What’s healthy about it?;What’s new beyond the birds and the bees?; (Addictive behaviors) What are our teens getting into?; (Sports participation) Are the risks and benefits in balance?

2011 - 2012  

What Plagues Our Children? …

Healthy Children/Healthy Schools—Who’s Playing in the Sandbox?; What are we (or aren’t we) doing about childhood obesity?; Are we winning (or losing) the battle on teenage mental health?; What chemicals are our children eating, drinking and breathing?