Every Minnesotan Deserves to Feel Safe, Valued, and Respected
At Advocates for Better Health, we believe that every Minnesotan deserves to feel safe, valued, and respected. Public health is grounded in the understanding that people and communities thrive when they are treated with dignity, and that the words we use about one another matter. Harmful rhetoric, from any source, can increase fear, reduce trust in institutions, and create barriers to care. When any group in our state is singled out or made to feel unwelcome, it threatens not only the wellbeing of that community, but the collective health of all Minnesotans.
Minnesota’s strength has always come from the diversity of its people and the networks of support that hold our communities together. Across cultures, neighborhoods, and lived experiences, people want the same things: safety, opportunity, and a sense of belonging. As a public health organization, ABH stands firmly for these shared values. We are committed to fostering environments, both in policy and practice, where all Minnesotans can participate fully in civic and community life and trust that their voices matter, enabling them to achieve their optimal health.
In moments when rhetoric creates fear or division, our shared commitment to health and dignity calls us to show up for one another. As advocates, this looks like:
Showing compassion, recognizing that patients, clients, and community members may feel reluctant to seek services or attend appointments.
Uplifting accurate information and community voices that counter harmful stereotypes and disinformation.
Practicing self-care, particularly for those carrying the emotional toll of being targeted or supporting those who are.
Knowing your rights — and the rights of your patients — during interactions that may involve questions about immigration status or documentation. Resources for constitutional observer training and guidance on protecting community rights are available through organizations such as the Immigrant Defense Network, National Immigration Law Center, Health & Medicine Policy Research Group and the Immigration Rights & Resources Hub from the City of Minneapolis.
Our work has always been rooted in dignity, equity, and compassion. In challenging moments, those values guide us and will continue to shape the Minnesota we build together.