To the Editor:

I’d like to thank state Sen. Julie Rosen for her commitment to helping Minnesotans get and stay healthy through the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP).

SHIP funds a variety of programs, from biking trails to farmers markets, that enable all Minnesotans to get fit and be active.

This legislative session, some lawmakers wanted to cut the program funding and use it for other priorities, but not Sen. Rosen. She stood up and made sure this vital public health program was protected. Good thing too, as we’re just starting to see the real return on results of having made this investment.

A report in late April from the Minnesota Department of Health found Minnesota’s obesity rate is declining. As the report points out, obesity is a complicated and multi-faceted problem. It takes a similarly multi-faceted approach to start to solve it. That’s why these grants went to so many diverse, community-based projects.

It’s satisfying to see the results of this program and reassuring to see our lawmakers value public health. Considering the millions we spend each year on obesity-related health care costs and lives lost to cancer, heart disease and diabetes, this grant program deserves to remain a top state funding priority.

Thank you Sen. Rosen for defending SHIP and doing what’s right for our state’s health.

Daphne Sackett

cancer survivor

Winnebago