Idaho’s public health system

Idaho has a regionalized, local health department system composed of seven multi-county District Health Departments, which collaborate at the state level with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW). These eight separate agencies work together as a system, playing different but complementary roles in the planning, funding, delivery, and evaluation of health services in Idaho. Primary health-related responsibilities within IDHW are delegated to the Division of Health. Local boards of health govern the autonomous seven multi-county district health departments.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare also coordinates public health and emergency preparedness services with six tribal nations across the state.

NWCPHP activities in Idaho

NWCPHP works actively with public health colleagues in Idaho on specific training activities and the development and implementation of a workforce development strategy.

• In 2005 completed field testing, evaluation, modification, and final distribution of the Public Health 101 course.
  
• NWCPHP staff participated in a Tribal Preparedness conference, September 15-16, 2005, for Washington, Idaho and Oregon tribes.
• Dr. Randy Beaton, of NWCPHP developed and presented a training program on Mental Health Preparedness to public health professionals and hospital liaisons in each of Idaho's seven health districts, in February and March 2005.
• NWCPHP staff provided iLinc Web Conferencing Technical Support and Training for state and local public health agencies, 2004-2005.
• Dr. Randy Beaton developed and presented a training program on Mental Health Preparedness for public health professionals and hospital liaisons in the seven Health Districts, in February and March 2005. Dr. Randy Beaton also presented a similar Web conference session on Mental Health and Preparedness on November 15, 2004.
  
• NWCPHP faculty helped facilitate the first Cross-Borders Conference on "Emerging Public Health Threats: Tracking Infectious Disease across Borders." The conference held August 9-11, 2004 was sponsored jointly by the ID DHW and Washington State Department of Health.
• A collaboration was initiated in 2004 between the NWCPHP, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, and the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board to conduct a detailed assessment of bioterrorism and emergency preparedness training needs for three of Idaho’s five Native American tribes.
• NWCPHP’s curriculum "Preparing for and Responding to Bioterrorism: Information for the Public Health Workforce" was provided in CD-ROM format as a resource in a Smallpox Mass Vaccination Training Toolbox developed by the ID Department of Health and Welfare. This toolbox was distributed to Idaho’s seven District Health Departments.
• The Idaho Summer Institute was conducted by Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare in August 2003 with a keynote address by NWCPHP Director Jack Thompson. The three-day Institute focused on Strategic Planning and Leadership Skills for Idaho’s key public health leaders at the district and state levels.
• Developed and completed a Bioterrorism Competencies survey that was conducted by IDHW and Idaho's seven District Health Departments in February 2003. About 800 state and local public health workers were surveyed.
• Conducted a Media Advocacy Training, 2002, for 250 PH participants.
• Completed the Public Health Workforce Assessment survey and final report, March 2001.

Idaho contacts

Barbara Blakesley
Pandemic Influenza Planner
Health Preparedness Program
Idaho Department of Health & Welfare

Sara John
Health Education Specialist
Health Preparedness Program
Idaho Department of Health & Welfare

NWCPHP also works with the Mountain States Group Area Health Education Center and Boise State University to coordinate technical assistance and workforce development opportunities in Idaho.

Other Idaho links

Department of Health & Welfare

Idaho Health

Public Health Districts

Disaster Behavioral Health
Trainings for each Health District during February and March 2005.

Mental Health and Preparedness
This event took place on November 15, 2004

Idaho in brief

Idaho’s total state population is 1.3 million. Boise is Idaho’s largest city and the state capital with over 403,000 people in the metropolitan area. In comparison, Idaho’s 9 other largest cities range in size from about 21,000 to about 52,000. The 2000 US Census classified 33.6% of Idaho’s population as rural and 53.3% as non-urbanized.

Idaho’s six tribal nations have approximately 9,300 registered members. The 2000 US Census reports that American Indians comprise 1.4% of the state’s population.