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Executive
Summary 
by Paul Mattessich
Executive Director

Dr. Oz became famous on Oprah, then developed his own TV show. Millions of people who seek health and medical information hang on his every word. But can we believe him?

A group of doctors publicly called for Columbia University to fire Dr. Oz. Their accusations?

"Dr. Oz has repeatedly shown disdain for science and for evidence-based medicine ... he has manifested an egregious lack of integrity by promoting quack treatments and cures in the interest of personal financial gain."

The controversy focuses attention on evidence-based practices. So, what do we mean by evidence? What constitutes credible information that a treatment works or that a specific behavior promotes good health?

In human services, the meaning of the term, evidence-based practice, has achieved some consensus, at least in a general sense. Most people would agree that, to meet the standard of evidence-based, a treatment, service, or policy must have multiple rigorous studies which support it. Rigorous usually means either some form of experimental...
MAY 2015
Upcoming Events

Chemical Health Among Youth with Incarcerated Parents

May 12, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Wilder Center

Learn about chemical health among youth affected by incarceration in Minnesota and discuss ways to support these students. The forum is free, but registration is required (registration closes Friday, May 8). Hosted by the Minnesota Strengthening Families Affected by Incarceration Collaborative.  

 

4th Annual Placemaking Residency 

May 15, 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 

Please join us on Friday, May 15, for a special day that explores placemaking as a means to promote health and well-being for residents along the Green Line. Hosted by Wilder Research, Gordon Parks High School, and Asian Economic Development Association, it's part of the week-long Placemaking residency. See the week's events & register here. 
New on the Wilder blog


Food Deserts: Why it Costs Much More to Try to Eat on $29 a Week
Gwyneth Paltrow spurred conversation recently when she attempted to eat on $29 for a week, referred to as the food stamp challenge. What about food access? Leah Driscoll, manager of the Twin Cities Mobile Market, tackles the topic in a thought provoking blog. Read the post.
 
Read more from Wilder Research on this topic: 

Perceptions of SNAP's Mandatory Work Provisions Read it 

Strategies to Improve Access to Healthy Food in Minnesota Read it 

Obesity and Access to Healthy Foods Read it 
New Staff
Please join us in welcoming two new staff members to Wilder Research! Follow the links to read more about Anna Bartholomay and Hollis Henry.
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Updates from Minnesota Compass

Minnesota Compass recently prepared an economic dashboard for the Itasca Project as part of a business case for creating opportunities for a more diverse workforce in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region.

 

GREATER MSP has the expressed mission of accelerating job growth and capital investment for the 16-county region. Compass asked CEO Michael Langley to provide his insights on how the region can develop and attract a diverse workforce. Read the post. 
Recently Published
Graduate Minnesota
This evaluation looks at the effectiveness of an initiative aimed at increasing degree completion among previous Minnesota State Colleges and Universities students who left without a degree.

Look Up and Hope
Summary and infographic from the evaluation of a Volunteers of America initiative to improve the lives of families impacted by maternal incarceration.

Wilder Research staff Monica Rothe Idzelis and Greg Owen contributed to a newly published article in Social Work Now about the Signs of Safety intervention.  

 

Monica was also recently published in the Journal of Family Strengths (abstract) in an article about the Family Asset Builder Program. 

 

See all the latest studies from Wilder Research.