The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated disparities within Minnesota's health care system that have existed for decades. Black, brown and Native Minnesotans died at a higher rate from the virus than their white neighbors, and it took them longer to get vaccinated.  

As a result, health care and community leaders promised to renew their efforts to help all Minnesotans get access to quality, affordable care. 

Five years later, how’s that going?

North Star Journey Live, a event series from MPR News, took that question to Mandy’s Coffee & Cafe in Red Wing on March 26 to get an honest assessment from community leaders who are doing the work every day.

MPR News host Angela Davis talked with a county public health leader and the founder of a nonprofit clinic that’s stepped into many of Minnesota’s health care gaps.

Together, they paint a picture of how health equity in rural communities has gotten better — and how they now fear it could get worse.

Guests:

• Julie Malyon is the executive director and founder of CARE Clinic.
• Kristin Johnson is the deputy director of Goodhue County Health and Human Services.