Imagine a world where everyone has an opportunity to live their healthiest life, whether they live in a rural, frontier, or urban area, and regardless of their income. This is the essence of health equity in Idaho – making sure that every person has a fair and impartial chance to be as healthy as possible.

For the Idaho Division of Public Health, health equity is not just a policy, it's a vision that drives us to start and nurture prevention-focused solutions that build and support Idaho communities where everyone has a fair chance at their best health and well-being. We’re focused on giving these communities a hand up.

What is health equity?

Health equity is all about making sure that every person has the same opportunities to achieve an optimal quality of life that accounts for any health issues including mental health. Imagine if everyone had an equal chance at living their healthiest, happiest lives. That's the goal of health equity and is the foundation Idaho Public Health is built on!

Why does it matter?

Different people face different challenges (many outside of their control) when it comes to living a healthy life. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for all communities in Idaho. The issues that make the healthy choice the hard choice are specific.

Where you are born and live, work, and play makes a difference in how healthy you are in Idaho. Your ZIP code is a better predictor of health and longevity than your genetics.

Racial and ethnic diversity also plays a role and has increased in Idaho over the past decade. Idaho is home to five federally recognized tribes, as well as an increasing Hispanic or Latino population and people from other states, countries, and cultures.

Many Idahoans live in areas with limited healthcare facilities, making it harder for them to see a doctor or a dentist. Some Idahoans don’t have much money to spend on nutritious food, exercise equipment or gym memberships, or have the resources or time to participate in sports clubs and after-school activities. Many live in communities with no sidewalks, bike lanes, or other types of physical structures or spaces like parks that make it safe to take a walk, go for a run, or ride a bike. And even more live in communities without public transportation, which makes it harder to go to the grocery store or to medical appointments.

Factors like income, education, housing, access to healthy food, transportation, and quality healthcare are interconnected and play an important role in how healthy we are. This concept is especially relevant here because Idaho is one of the most rural states in the nation. More people live in rural or frontier areas than in cities in our state, making some of these issues even more challenging.

Mapping life expectancy by these different areas shows staggering differences of up to 20 years between the areas with the highest and lowest life expectancies across the state. This shows that your neighborhood can be a powerful factor in health and opportunity.

Idahoans are wonderfully diverse and come from different backgrounds and experiences and have different challenges, but we all deserve the opportunity to live our healthiest lives.

By considering socio-economic, demographic, geographic, and other related issues that make it hard to make a healthy choice, Idaho is working toward creating a healthier future. The goal is to make the HEALTHY choice the EASY choice for everyone.

Elke Shaw-Tulloch is the administrator of the Division of Public Health, and the state’s public health officer. She has worked for the department since 1996 and was promoted to division administrator in 2012.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

In 2022, 381 Idaho residents died from an overdose.

On Thursday, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. I’ll join the Department of Health and Welfare’s Drug Overdose Prevention Program at the Idaho Capitol to help honor those we’ve lost, and to raise awareness for those we can still help. Please join us for this special International Overdose Awareness Day event.

International Overdose Awareness Day

• Thursday, Aug. 31
• 10 a.m. MT
• Idaho State Capitol, second floor rotunda

Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest campaign to remember lives lost to fatal overdose. Communities across the globe will gather to remember those who have died from an overdose, discuss opportunities to reduce drug-related harms, save lives, and promote healthier communities.

This year’s event at the Capitol will highlight stories of loss, hope, and compassion. The event will feature first-hand accounts and information about how the overdose epidemic is affecting communities in Idaho from people who are in recovery and who support people in recovery.

There will be 381 picture frames with silhouettes of individuals placed on the steps toward the entrance of the Capitol to represent the Idaho residents who died from an overdose in 2022.

Overdose deaths are increasing in Idaho

Overdose deaths continue to increase in Idaho. From 2020 to 2022, there was a 33% increase in all drug overdose deaths.

Idaho has also seen an increase in fentanyl-related overdoses and overdose deaths. Also from 2020 to 2022, the rate of fentanyl-related overdose deaths tripled in Idaho—with approximately 49% overdose deaths involving fentanyl.

An overdose can happen to anyone

An overdose occurs when a drug is stronger than a person’s tolerance. Tolerance is how the body responds to varying levels of drugs.

Idaho has seen an increase in fentanyl-related overdoses. With higher amounts of illegal fentanyl within street drugs, anyone who uses street drugs is at risk for fatal and non-fatal overdose.

Due to fentanyl’s strength, small amounts of the drug can result in non-fatal overdose or overdose death. This leaves people with low tolerance levels, such as recreational drug users, at risk for overdose.

In Idaho, fentanyl is often found in counterfeit pills made to look like prescription pills such as oxycodone or Xanax. Pills containing fentanyl are often purchased illegally through social media and e-commerce websites. Pills purchased outside of licensed pharmacies may contain deadly amounts of fentanyl. 

Overdose death is preventable: what you can do to protect yourself and loved ones

Talk to your loved ones about their substance use. If loved ones are using drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor, guide them toward resources to help reduce harm.

Get naloxone. One of the key ways to protect yourself and loved ones is to obtain doses of naloxone. Naloxone is the medication that reverses an opioid overdose. It is safe and effective to  use during a suspected overdose. Naloxone is available in two forms—nasal spray and injectable. Naloxone nasal spray is known by the brand names, Narcan and Kloxxado. Narcan, Kloxxado, and injectable naloxone are available through pharmacies and community organizations.

Resources:

• Learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day: https://www.overdoseday.com/
• Visit the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Overdose Response webpage to learn how to prevent overdose deaths: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/behavioral-health/overdose-response
• Find naloxone near you: www.FindIdahoTesting.org

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

A recently released federal report recognized the Department of Health and Welfare’s work to help low-income families buy food as the timeliest food assistance program in the nation.

Idaho’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was recognized Aug. 11 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which gave Idaho a score of 100% for federal fiscal year 2022. The next closest state was Wisconsin at 97.74%.

SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, helps low-income families buy the food they need to stay healthy. Nearly 125,000 Idahoans received benefits in April 2023. The federal program is run in Idaho by the Division of Welfare/Self Reliance, which is part of DHW.

The national benchmark for processing SNAP applications is 30 days. In Idaho, families typically receive benefits within four days of applying.

To evaluate programs among the 50 states, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, the national Food and Nutrition Service evaluated application processing timelines as part of the quality control review process.

A case was considered to have been processed in a timely manner if the household had an opportunity to participate within seven days of the application date for expedited service, and within 30 days of the application date for regular service.

This incredible recognition comes down to the excellent work performed by dedicated DHW employees in the Division of Welfare/Self Reliance to process SNAP applications quickly and efficiently for Idaho families.

If you’re in need of food assistance, please visit https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/food-assistance/apply-snap or call 877-456-1233.

Kristin Matthews is the Policy Bureau Chief with the Department of Health and Welfare and works with the SNAP program.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

You’ve probably heard it said that prevention is the best medicine, and that’s the core purpose behind a DHW program that some of you may not know about. It’s called the Resource and Service Navigation Program, and its goal is to help divert families from needing to rely on longer-term department programs, including Child Welfare and benefits.

I had the great fortune during my summer job shadowing this year to sit with several of DHW’s navigators, who taught me more about their day-to-day work and displayed the kind of care, support, and empathy that makes a difference for Idahoans.

The 28-person Navigation Program team, including 22 navigators, covers every region in Idaho. It serves individuals, children, and families who may benefit from one-on-one assistance to develop a service plan to meet their goals for stability, self-sufficiency, health and safety. The program is entirely voluntary for participants.

Here are some more specifics about what the Navigation Program does:

• It identifies and develops resources and support services.
• It partners with families to develop customized service plans that focus on family strengths and community supports.
• It provides support to families in need so that children can be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives.
• It works collaboratively with other programs and agencies.
• It supports needs around obtaining and maintaining employment.

The Navigation team has internal funding that can be used when all criteria is met and can assist families with meeting needs that include rent, deposits, utilities, car repairs, training and uniforms for jobs, licensure fees, and supports for kinship caregivers and the children for whom they’re caring.

The majority of the Navigation team’s referrals come through the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine. The Navigation Program also has referral forms that are used by department programs and community partners that are sent directly to Navigation. Individuals and families can refer themselves by calling 2-1-1.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

I had the great honor yesterday to attend the ribbon cutting and grand opening of a beautiful new facility that’s going to make a difference for thousands of Idaho children in the years to come.

The Residential Center for Healing & Resilience, built and operated by the Idaho Youth Ranch, is located north of Caldwell and will serve children with complex mental health needs. The facility will provide children with inpatient psychiatric services that haven’t been offered in Idaho for a long time.

More than 100 community partners attended the grand opening under clear-blue skies and cheered as a ceremonial ribbon was cut, then toured the facility’s 10-building campus.

Located on 258 acres, it includes a welcome center, therapy and wellness facility, charter school, recreation center, kitchen and cafeteria, four residential lodges, and an equine center. The center will admit eight additional young people each month until it reaches its capacity of 64 in eight months.

“To see this remarkable dream come true—today is a day to say hooray,” said Idaho Youth Ranch Board Chair Sheila Hennessey.

The Residential Center for Healing & Resilience is one of three psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs) that Idaho helped fund through $15 million made available by Gov. Brad Little and the Idaho Legislature in 2022.

The Department of Health and Welfare awarded grants to three partners that will serve different regions in Idaho. They are the Idaho Youth Ranch in southwest Idaho, Northwest Children’s Home in north Idaho, and Jackson House in east Idaho.

This level of mental healthcare hasn’t existed in Idaho, so these three facilities are filling a critical gap in our continuum of care for children and youth. Previously, about 100 kids were getting treatment in other states because we didn’t have these services available in Idaho. Now many of these kids will be able to stay in Idaho and close to their families.

I’m thrilled the state could help make this project happen, and I’m confident these three partnerships will further our ability to serve children with complex mental health diagnoses and help reduce the number of children who need to leave the state for care we didn’t offer.

Being up to date on recommended immunizations is the most effective way to protect yourself and your family against serious or deadly vaccine-preventable diseases. August marks the annual observance of National Immunization Month, a great reminder to review and update vaccinations for everyone in your family.

What vaccines do people need?

Recommended vaccines can vary based on vaccine history, age, and current health status. Consult your healthcare provider or visit www.immunizeidaho.com to see recommendations. High immunization rates within communities play a vital role in protecting the health of vulnerable populations, including infants, young children, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions. Additionally, widespread immunization helps prevent or slow the spread of communicable diseases.

What immunizations do adults need?

There are specific vaccines that adults should prioritize each year. Adults should receive the flu vaccine each year, along with staying current on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

The Tdap vaccine offers protection against pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, and diphtheria. Pregnant women should receive the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy to safeguard their babies until they are old enough for their own vaccinations.

A Td booster is recommended every 10 years to renew protection against tetanus and diphtheria.

Adults 50 and over are encouraged to get the shingles vaccine. Other adult vaccines, such as the pneumococcal vaccine, are recommended based on age, occupation, previous vaccinations, and health status.

What are vaccine recommendations for students?

There are specific requirements for children attending Idaho schools to be vaccinated against diseases that spread easily in group settings.

Contagious diseases like whooping cough and measles can easily spread in schools and at home, potentially affecting unvaccinated infants. Whooping cough poses a significant risk to babies.

For more information on school immunization requirements, visit www.immunizeidahoschools.com.

College students should also prioritize staying up to date on their immunizations. These should include the seasonal influenza, MMR, Tdap, meningococcal disease, and HPV vaccinations. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, while the HPV vaccine helps prevent certain types of cancer and is recommended to be given to boys and girls at 11-12 years of age.  Young adults who weren’t vaccinated as pre-teens can still receive the HPV vaccine until they reach 26 years of age.

The meningococcal vaccine is particularly important for college students, especially those living in residence halls or participating in sports programs, as it safeguards against bacterial meningitis.

Additionally, COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone aged 6 months and older.

How to get your immunization record?

To access your immunization records in Idaho, download the Docket® app[LSC41]  , which allows you to access your vaccination history recorded in Idaho’s Immunization Reminder Information System (IRIS). The Docket® app is voluntary and provides a convenient way to keep track of your immunization status. The app is available for both iOS and Android operating systems.

Alternatively, you can request your records from your healthcare provider or submit a request to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare through this link: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/news-notices/public-records-requests.

During National Immunization Awareness Month, take proactive steps to ensure you and your family are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. Prioritize vaccination and stay informed about the latest immunization recommendations for all age groups. A collective effort towards high immunization rates can lead to healthier communities and a safer future for everyone.

Resources:

• Idaho Immunization Program: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/children-families/about-immunizations
• Find your Idaho Public Health District for back-to-school immunizations: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/community-health/public-health-districts
• Vaccine and immunization resources from the Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html

Sarah Leeds is manager of the Idaho Immunization Program in the Division of Public Health. She has served in this role since June 2019, focusing on increasing vaccine coverage among Idahoans.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Kinship care refers to a heartwarming practice where relatives or significant adults in children’s lives step up to take on the role of parents when a child’s biological parents are unable to care for them.

This profound act of love and responsibility plays a vital role in providing a stable and nurturing environment for children. While we recognize the importance of kinship caregivers every month, we have some special celebrations planned in September during National Kinship Care Month.

Recent data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that one in 11 children lives in kinship care at some point before turning 18. Across the nation, 3% of all kids—more than 2.5 million children—are currently in kinship care. In 2021 in Idaho, 11,418 grandparents were responsible for their grandchildren younger than 18 years old. And this doesn’t include the countless children living informally with other relatives.

Despite the significant number of kinship caregivers, many are unaware of the resources and support available to them. These families face numerous challenges, but their tales of strength and devotion deeply touch our hearts.

To pay tribute to these extraordinary kinship families, DHW is organizing Idaho Kinship Family Day on Sept. 9 in Boise, Pocatello, and Coeur d’Alene. We invite you to join us for the celebration that will include food, fun, games, and information on resources and supports. Please RSVP at Idaho Kinship Family Day Celebration.

My Family. My Story. Entries due Aug. 18

Another way DHW is celebrating Idaho’s kinship families is through the annual My Family. My Story. art and expression series, which provides children and caregivers in kinship families with a platform to share their experiences in their own words through various artforms like drawings, paintings, and sewing projects.

This series showcases the creativity and emotional expressions of these families as they navigate the challenges that come with kinship care. Participants in this expressive journey have shared heartwarming drawings and stories depicting their love for their families, reflections on personal growth, insights into family dynamics, and feelings of safety and stability.

The series also includes a specific category for our community partners who work alongside kinship families as they navigate the challenges of kinship care.

All participants are entered into a drawing for cash and prizes. All entries must be received or postmarked by Aug. 18. Please visit My Family. My Story. art and expression series for more information.

Please call 2-1-1 or visit 211.idaho.gov for more resources and supports, and information about Idaho Kindship Family Day and My Family. My Story.

Let’s come together this summer to honor and celebrate the kinship families of Idaho, who embody the essence of love, selflessness, and care. Their stories inspire us all, and it’s our privilege to support and recognize their commitment to the well-being of the children they hold dear.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Idaho WIC, also known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, is a federally funded initiative designed to promote healthy choices for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to their fifth birthdays.

It’s important to distinguish Idaho WIC from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps, as they are separate programs. However, it’s possible to be eligible for and receive benefits from both programs. Individuals with SNAP or Medicaid may also qualify for WIC benefits.

The primary focus of WIC is to assist families by providing various essential services, including WIC funds to purchase healthy foods from local grocery stores, nutrition education, assistance in finding healthcare and other community services, as well as breastfeeding information and support.

Regarding breastfeeding services, Idaho WIC aims to maintain its position as one of the leading states in terms of breastfeeding rates. WIC offers peer counseling, where experienced counselors provide support and encouragement to pregnant women and new mothers in their breastfeeding journeys.

Additionally, WIC provides access to professional breastfeeding support through clinic consultations and phone discussions with trained breastfeeding professionals, including certified lactation consultants, lactation counselors/educators, and registered dietitians.

Breastfeeding women benefit from the deluxe WIC food package, which includes more food options and variety. WIC may also provide breastfeeding equipment, such as breast pumps and other supplies, to assist women in providing breast milk for their babies.

Eligibility for WIC is subject to specific requirements. You must:

• Be a resident of Idaho,
• Meet income guidelines, and
• Fall into certain categories like being pregnant, breastfeeding, having a baby in the last six months, or being parents, guardians, or foster parents of infants and children up to their fifth birthdays.

Those interested in accessing WIC services can contact their local WIC clinic for more information about available breastfeeding services and to determine eligibility criteria.

More details and assistance:

• Go to signupwic.com to get started and locate a clinic near you
• What to bring to your first WIC appointment

Leah Sallas is the Idaho WIC program director. She has worked for the department since 2015.

Thirty-three years ago this week, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This historic civil rights law protects the rights of people with disabilities.

The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, transportation, public accommodations, telecommunications, communications, and access to state and local government programs and services.

Approximately 61 million adults and about 4.3% of children under 18, in the United States have a disability. People with disabilities face higher rates of poverty and unemployment.  Access to healthcare is a significant concern, with barriers ranging from physical accessibility to inadequate medical services.

DHW’s core mission is to strengthen the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans; the ADA is an integral part of our work to overcome these challenges and fulfill that mission.

DHW values inclusion and diversity for the Idahoans we serve. We want program participants to tell us their needs, to help us understand their struggles, and to share with us their successes, so that we can provide them with the services they need and help them live their best lives. We want the people we serve to feel that their needs are recognized and have been met to the best of our ability.

DHW also values inclusion and diversity for our employees.  We want employees to contribute their perspectives about how the department can meet the needs of those we serve.

As a department, we have processes in place for both employees and customers to request assistance. We want to make sure our employees have what they need to be successful at work and our customers have equal access to programs, activities, and services.

For customers, help is available to those who need it. Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588 or text 898211 to be connected to a 2-1-1 community resource specialist 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Mountain Time) Monday through Friday. You can also call the Northwest ADA Center-Idaho, voice and text 208-841-9422. Relay: 7-1-1.

Our hope is that our employees and the Idahoans we serve experience a sense of belonging and feel valued for many things, including their perspectives, contributions, backgrounds, cultures, trainings, and the life experiences that shape them.

While we are dedicated to fulfilling our mission and responsibility under the ADA, we can always do more. That’s why we’re always looking for ways to improve—including working with our community partners. Thank you to the numerous agencies focused on serving individuals with disabilities; working collaboratively, we can and will make a positive difference.

The ADA stands as a beacon of hope and progress for people with disabilities, safeguarding their rights and promoting equal opportunities in various aspects of life. To achieve a more inclusive society, it’s crucial for each one of us to be proactive in promoting accessibility and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. The ADA serves as a reminder that together we can create a more just and equitable world for everyone.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Caring for a person living with memory loss or dementia is a journey that can last many years. It’s not usually a straight path, as each person with a mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, or another type of dementia may progress differently and in their own time.

Family members who are companions on this journey need information, support, and guidance along the way. Most families report they are not prepared for life with dementia and often do not know where to start.

The “Idaho Dementia Road Map: A Guide for Family Caregivers” is a document designed to give family caregivers a look at the big picture and the road ahead. This road map offers direction and tips about what to expect, what decisions lie ahead, what steps to take, and what resources are available to help make navigating the disease process a little bit easier. It’s currently in draft form, and DHW is seeking feedback to help make it as useful and complete as possible.

This August, the Idaho Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Program will host one-on-one, one-hour listening session interviews to review and receive feedback about the draft road map.

Participants should be family and friends who have provided, or currently provide, care to a person with dementia. The interviews will be offered in English and Spanish and will allow caregivers the opportunity to provide feedback about and identify any gaps in the draft road map.

Once you register, one of the ADRD Program’s contracted partners will reach out to set up a time for the interview, which can be conducted virtually.

Follow this link to participate and help make the Idaho Dementia Road Map: A Guide for Family Caregivers a more useful document for all Idahoans.

Why is this important?

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and is a specific disease. Dementia, not a disease, is a general term for a decline in a person's cognitive functioning, impacting their behavior and interfering with their daily life and activities. Neither Alzheimer's Disease, nor dementia, are a normal part of aging.

By 2025 an estimated 33,000 Idahoans will be living with Alzheimer’s, a 22% increase from 2020. There are approximately 65,000 unpaid caregivers in Idaho, many of whom report chronic health conditions, depression, or poor physical health.

The statewide ADRD Alliance (established in 2021) identified assisting family caregivers as a priority to improving quality of life for a person diagnosed with dementia and the health of the family caregiver (2023-2028 ADRD Strategic Plan for Idaho).

Once finalized the “Idaho Dementia Road Map: A Guide for Family Caregivers” will help affected Idahoans navigate this uncertain and life-altering circumstance.

Additional resources:

• To join the “Idaho Dementia Road Map” listening sessions
• 2020 Evaluation Report, State Response to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
• Idaho’s 2023 Alzheimer’s Association Data
• 2023-2028 Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias Strategic Plan for Idaho

Tiffany Robb is health program manager for the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program in the Division of Public Health at DHW. A self-described compassionate extrovert, she’s had a diverse career that’s included personal training, business ownership and management, teaching, research, and project management. Tiffany finds working on brain health, Alzheimer’s, and dementia an honor and a tribute to family members who have been impacted by dementia.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening Idahoans' health, safety, and independence. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.