Missouri State University’s Ozarks Public Health Institute received a grant of more than half a million dollars to address community health issues in the greater Springfield area.   

Missouri Foundation for Health granted OPHI $549,228 to support the continued growth of Springfield’s Community Focus Report.  

“The Community Focus Report has been an essential tool for community betterment,” said Brad Bodenhausen, vice president of community and global partnerships. “OPHI’s involvement will provide support to community partners as we work together toward improvements. This type of community-engaged research is an important part of Missouri’s State public affairs mission.”  

The Missouri State Board of Governors established OPHI in February 2001 as a university-wide institute with an aim to address public health issues across Missouri.  

Community Focus  

The Community Focus Report was designed to take an honest, comprehensive look at Springfield’s strengths and challenges. After two decades of publication, Community Focus will transition from a reflective report to a dynamic, full-time program at OPHI, actively supporting the region’s shared agenda around priority issues.  

OPHI will work with Community Partnership of the Ozarks and their collaboratives in a collective impact approach to tackling longstanding challenges head-on while continuing to celebrate the region’s strengths. Using a strategic data-driven and action-oriented approach, OPHI will expand its network, enhance digital presence, bolster research capabilities and continue to work with subject matter experts to publish the biennial report.   

Community Focus will continue recognizing challenges and strengths with red flags and blue ribbons, while integrating a data network and online dashboard to demonstrate progress toward shared goals. At Missouri State, this shift will increase the capacity for students, faculty and staff to become involved in research and practice-based projects that support the university’s public affairs mission.  

“Public health is what we do together as a society to ensure the conditions in which everyone can be healthy,” said OPHI Director Dr. Dalen Duitsman. “Our goal is to provide a wealth of research and engagement opportunities for students, university staff and faculty as we work strategically across all sectors to ensure health and safety, improve quality of life and offer every person in the Springfield region the opportunity to thrive.” 

With support from OPHI, the project may be replicated, personalized and implemented in other jurisdictions around Missouri. 

The grant will support the first three years of work.