Addressing disparities in Hennepin County

Our commitment to disparity reduction

The work of our organization deeply focuses on the people of Hennepin County. While many of our residents enjoy the great quality of life this region gets recognized for, we cannot be blind to the fact that stark disparities exist — particularly for our residents of color.

Hennepin County defines disparities as differences in areas of life that result in one group having a disproportionate burden of negative life outcomes. It’s our commitment that we will reduce these disparities.

Communities thrive when everyone thrives

Reducing any individual disparity can leverage positive change and help reduce disparities in other areas. If one gear turns, they all move. These seven domains are interconnected and integral to reducing disparities.

Shifting our lens

We see disparities every day in the places our critical support services serve people who are not faring well. We have an obligation to work toward eliminating disparities by whatever means we have. Here, in Hennepin County, inequities in education, employment, health, housing, income, justice and transportation are starkest between residents of color and their White counterparts. When we start our work from this shared perspective, shifting our guiding lens to one that is focused on a commitment to addressing these disparities, we can see the places, partnerships, programs and services where we have a responsibility to act.