Cook County Public Health Supervisor encourages residents to complete Bridge to Health Survey

Cook County Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager is encouraging residents to complete the Bridge to Health Survey, an adult health status survey conducted across the Northland by Generations Health Care Initiatives, a Duluth-based nonprofit organization.

Beginning Sept. 4, multiple postcards containing a QR code were mailed to randomly selected households. A third mailing, which included a paper copy of the survey, was sent the week of Oct. 13. Households that received postcards can still complete the survey using the QR code.

While the survey requests demographic information, all personal information is kept strictly confidential.

“It helps us learn about what kinds of struggles our people in our community are experiencing. We can use that information to guide our health priorities,” Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager told WTIP. “We also can use this data when we’re applying for grant funds.”

In the past, data from the survey has helped the county identify mental health challenges and secure funding to hire a youth prevention specialist.

Participants receive a link to a $5 electronic gift card as a thank-you for their time. Generations is asking those selected to complete the survey by the end of the month.

The Bridge to Health Survey is conducted every five years. More than 40 organizations in nine northern Minnesota counties and Douglas County, Wisconsin, have joined together to conduct it. Sponsoring organizations include local hospitals, clinics, community health centers, mental health centers, public health agencies, the Minnesota Department of Health Statewide Health Improvement Program, community non-profit organizations, foundations, health plans, and educational institutions.

Survey data is publicly available, and results from previous years can be viewed online.

“If you see that paper packet come in the mail, just take some time,” Grinager said. “It doesn’t take all that long to complete the survey. I’d say probably 10, maybe 15 minutes, if you’re really thinking things through.”

Generations Health Care Initiatives first began conducting the Bridge to Health Survey 30 years ago and has continued to administer it every five years since.

This year’s survey is being conducted by University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Center for Research and Evaluation Services.  Surveys are being sent to randomly selected households in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Pine and St. Louis Counties in Minnesota, and Douglas County in Wisconsin.  Results will be available in May of 2026.

WTIP’s Josh Hinke spoke to Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager about the Bridge to Health Survey. The audio of that conversation can be found below.

Josh Hinke October 20, 2025