About Idaho Public Health

About Idaho Public Health

The daily activities of the Public Health - Idaho North Central District (PH-INCD) are often not visible to the public. When we are successful, it is seldom noticeable unless there is a community crisis or a communicable disease outbreak, like hepatitis or meningitis.


Idaho Health Districts

Panhandle Health District 1
North Central District 2 (You Are Here)
Southwest District 3
Central District 4
South Central District 5
Southeastern District 6
Eastern District 7


What are the Public Health Districts?

Idaho MapWe are the direct result of a partnership agreement between the legislature and the counties. The seven independent Public Health Districts which cover all of Idaho's 44 counties provide preventive health services and education for healthy life-style choices. We contract with the Department of Health and Welfare to offer state-mandated programs. We were created by the 1970 Legislature to insure that preventive public health services are available to all citizens of the state - no matter how small or large their county population. The Health Districts accomplish their mission through the following programs and services:


Strategic Plan 2015-2019

PH-INCD 2015-2019 Strategic Plan PDF

Public Health is Prevention and Prevention is Cost Effective

  • Every dollar invested in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition program reduces the number of low birth-weight infants and saves $3 in hospital costs.
  • Every dollar spent on children’s immunizations saves $10 in medical costs.
  • Immunizations of older people in Idaho produces a savings of approximately $1.3 million per year in flu epidemic costs.
  • For every food-borne illness hospitalization prevented, an estimated $2,255 is saved in direct hospital costs.

Funding Partnership

The Public Health Districts receive about 31% of their funding from the counties and the state. The other 69% comes from contracts and fees. Joint funding from the county property tax and the state general fund creates a partnership so that all of Idaho's citizens will benefit -- no matter the size, location, or population of the county. The District partnership has served Idaho well since 1971 and has received national attention because of the way it provides decentralized Public Health services designed to meet the unique needs of the citizens of each District.


Idaho is unique...

Idaho's 44 counties are grouped into seven Public Health Districts and are governed by policy boards appointed by the county commissioners in those Districts.


The Difference...

Many states have a separate Public Health Department for each county. In fact, some cities in other states have their own Public Health Departments. While Idaho has only seven Public Health Departments, some states have over a hundred. In other states, health services vary from county to county and city to city depending on local resources. It is no wonder other states are looking at Idaho's model!


Public Health - Idaho North Central District
215 10th Street
Lewiston, ID 83501

Phone: (208) 799-3100
Fax: (208) 799-0349

Idaho Careline: 211

EPI ISSUES: 1-800-632-8000
For medical emergencies dial: 911.

Disclaimer

All information is general in nature and is not intended to be used as a substitute for appropriate professional advice.

For more information please call (208) 799-3100 or Idaho Careline: 211.

Idaho Public Health

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