The University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Center for Research and Evaluation Services (CRES) is currently collaborating with Generations Health Care Initiatives on the Bridge to Health survey. The Bridge to Health survey is a community-supported survey providing valuable information on key health indicators for adults in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin.  

“The Bridge to Health survey is conducted every five years to examine key health indicators for the Northland,” said Alisa Von Hagel, UW-Superior professor of political science and member of the research team. “This includes access to services – medical, dental, and mental health – how often people utilize them, as well as broader health indicators. It’s a massive survey, and the data repositories created are invaluable resources that can be used to inform policies, programs, and services. It’s a great program that has been running for many decades.”

According to its website, the Bridge to Health survey has served as a vital source of data on the health status of adults in northeastern Minnesota and Douglas County, Wisconsin, for more than two decades. The survey was first conducted in 1995, with subsequent surveys in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020. The next survey is scheduled for this year.

CRES has been hired to administer the survey and is participating in the survey’s development as part of a coalition of representatives across the region. While the survey has been conducted multiple times, the questions are continuously updated, ensuring it remains concise and relevant.

“We are excited to be partnering with the UWS Center for Research and Evaluation Services for the 2025 Bridge to Health Survey,” said Megan Bremmon, program director at Generations. “The CRES team brings not only research expertise, but strong relationships with communities in the area, and a cultural sensitivity and humility, which is crucial for surveying BIPOC communities. We know that the results will help improve the health of communities throughout the region.”

Each iteration of the Bridge to Health survey includes a standard set of questions, allowing for trend analysis across years. Many questions align with those used in state and national surveys (e.g., the CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Partnership) to enable comparisons with state and national data. New questions are also introduced, and some are eliminated to better meet the current data needs of community partners.

“We’re assisting with the survey development,” Von Hagel explained. “Once the finalized survey is created, we’ll facilitate its administration.”

One of the primary motivations for conducting the survey is the lack of local information on key health indicators. State and national health survey data often don’t accurately represent local areas, especially rural communities. The sample size in statewide surveys is too small for meaningful county or community-level analysis. The Bridge to Health survey aims to address this gap and provide a more complete picture of the region’s health status.

Once the survey questions are finalized, CRES will coordinate the distribution of the survey through mailings with access to the survey online as well as printed surveys. The goal is to distribute the survey to the community by August.

The completed project will contribute to a greater understanding of the health of the region’s adult population and encourage organizations and community groups to address critical health issues and improve the area’s overall health status.

“If a household or individual is contacted, we hope they take the time to complete the survey,” said Von Hagel. “This is a fantastic resource for the Northland, healthcare providers, community organizations, and researchers. We want as many people as possible to participate.”

About the Center for Research and Evaluation Services

UW-Superior’s CRES provides essential research and assessment services to local businesses, nonprofits, and public institutions throughout the region.

CRES offers professional, fee-for-service research to organizations in the area, operating on a revenue-neutral basis. All fees collected go toward supporting the center’s operations. Initial services include data collection and analysis, program assessment and evaluation, and process facilitation.

Research services encompass both primary and secondary data collection and analysis. Examples include surveys of internal and external stakeholders, focus groups, market analysis and data collection and analysis for grant submissions.

To submit a research project request, receive an estimate or for more information, please email research@uwsuper.edu.