In This Edition
In 2023, Get Healthy Idaho communities achieved significant milestones and the overall initiative is laying the groundwork to achieve our vision of healthy people living and thriving in safe, healthy, and resilient communities.
In this edition, we are excited to share updates from our funded communities and progress toward the Division of Public Health’s next 5-year statewide health improvement plan. Read more about the Get Healthy Idaho initiative in our 2023 Impact Report.
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The Division of Public Health is currently conducting its 5-year Statewide Health Assessment (SHA), which will serve as a guiding framework to identify statewide health priorities and strategies for the next 5-year Statewide Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) 2025-2029. Get Healthy Idaho – the SHA and SHIP – provides a detailed snapshot of population health status, leveraging a broad range of information to identify key health issues and contributing factors, illuminate trends and disparities, and identify resources. The SHIP will include strategies and actions designed to achieve measurable improvement of the newly identified health priorities and identify and mobilize collaborative partners to address these issues.
Since September, the Get Healthy Idaho team has been busy gathering and analyzing data and information from secondary data sources (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, American Community Survey, vital statistics, et al.) and local priorities from community health needs assessments developed by hospitals and health systems, local public health districts, and community-based organizations. Preliminary results of secondary data demonstrate the continued importance of thoughtful and intentional focus on the social determinants of health impacting Idahoans. It may be no surprise to many that the preliminary analysis of secondary data identifies several key health priorities, including housing, behavioral health (mental health, suicide, and substance use), access to healthcare, prevention of chronic conditions, and access to quality early learning and childhood education opportunities.
Qualitative data collection is a key input to the assessment and prioritization process. Data collection methods will include key partner interviews from February-April, listening sessions held during the third day of the Idaho’s Health Priorities Conference, and a community partner survey anticipated for release in the spring. These methods will rely on voices of the community to share the health experiences and challenges Idahoans face, as well as to consider new and emerging trends and opportunities. This will help us gain deeper insight into the current state of health in communities. In the fall, we will gather with partners to share Idaho’s key health priorities and begin to design strategies for population-level health improvement as we transition into a new five-year phase of planning and action.
We look forward to interacting with many of our partners throughout the coming year to learn from you and listen to your experiences and perspectives serving Idahoans. Together, we will chart a path that ensures all Idahoans have the opportunity to live and thrive in safe, healthy, and resilient communities.
| In health, |
| Katie Lamansky |
On May 29-31, 2024, diverse partners from across Idaho will gather at the Boise Centre in downtown Boise for Idaho’s Health Priorities Conference – an inaugural collaborative gathering of key stakeholders, partners, and community leaders to join in a shared mission to promote, protect, and improve the overall health and wellbeing of all Idahoans. Participants will focus on improving population health through strategic alliances and elevating the voices of disproportionately impacted communities.
The conference will feature key tracks centered on mental and behavioral health, social and economic health, physical environment and health, and multigenerational health. These tracks aim to raise awareness, break down barriers to healthcare access, and promote innovative holistic approaches for a resilient and thriving Idaho. Local public health, academia, healthcare, and other community leaders will showcase and share their research, best practices, tools, and other resources that address health disparities and contribute to improving the health of all Idahoans. The final day of the conference will be devoted to listening sessions in support of Idaho’s five-year statewide health assessment.
Visit the conference website for additional details and registration. The planning committee has limited funds available for travel reimbursement. If you are in need of travel reimbursement, please email us at IHPC@dhw.idaho.gov to receive the request form. We do not want cost to be a barrier to attending.
Get Healthy Idaho Elmore County Open Space and Trails Update
 By Courtney Kelly, MPH - WICHC Project Coordinator
Elmore County is home to beautiful natural environments, diverse wildlife and landscapes, and historically significant outdoor areas. Residents of Elmore County often cite outdoor amenities as the reason they love where they live. In the 2021 Elmore County Community Health Assessment, residents also noted that easy-to-access outdoor amenities, like open spaces and walking paths, protected and improved their physical and mental health. However, these areas can be difficult to access due to a variety of reasons, including the distance needed to travel, a limited trail network, and a lack of knowledge of available recreational opportunities. It was identified that these barriers to outdoor recreation could be addressed through a community-driven health initiative like Get Healthy Idaho, which in turn led to the creation of the Elmore County Open Space and Trails Project.
In the past year, the Elmore County Open Space and Trails project has moved from the vision stage to the action planning stage and now has reached the implementation phase. Through the previous two phases, the top 13 priority projects for Elmore County were identified. These projects include installing trail maps and wayfinding signage, formalizing the “Teapot Dome” trail, creating a commuter pathway connecting Mountain Home to the Mountain Home Air Force Base, and developing a website that aggregates important information about Elmore County recreation. With the identification of these projects, the Get Healthy Idaho Elmore County team is working in close collaboration with Agnew::Beck Consulting – a multidisciplinary consulting firm supporting planning logistics to create feasible work plans, including important stakeholders such as BLM, Fish and Game, U.S. Forest Service, Elmore County governance, and Elmore County residents.
One priority project currently under way is the adoption of the Elmore County Open Space and Trails Action Plan as a guiding framework for regional decision-making and collaboration. This is a collaboration of the Elmore County governing agencies. The adoption of this plan would allow for the protection of open space as Elmore County grows in population and development opportunities, which in turn would have a positive impact on the mental and physical health of county residents for years to come. To read the full Action Plan and learn more about the ongoing work, please visit our website at www.wichc.org
Get Healthy Idaho Bannock County Ride United
In December 2023, Ride United celebrated one year of providing free health-related rides to community members in need. Watch a news segment about Ride United's one-year anniversary!
Get Healthy Idaho Clearwater River Collaborative in Kamiah and Orofino
The third Get Healthy Idaho collaborative led by the Clearwater Economic Development Association has devoted their first six months of funding to expanding partnerships and assessing community needs. Diverse partners within the collaborative include city government, local schools, public health, area hospitals, non-profit organizations, and philanthropies. Collaborative meetings have already resulted in a collaborative project outside of the Get Healthy Idaho grant.
The Clearwater River Get Healthy Idaho Community Action Team has applied for grant funding to support Operation Red File. Operation Red File was designed to help seniors keep critical health information protected and accessible if needed in an emergency. The folder is attached to the refrigerator for easy access by first responders. Participants are encouraged to put copies of their medical information and other critical documents in the folder, along with a current photograph of the participant; medical forms with all current medical information; medication list that can be updated as needed; medical coverage information; advanced care planning information, and other materials. First responders and emergency staff use this information to instantly access critical medical information in an emergency, and avoid delays caused by a confused patient or distressed family member.
This early success demonstrates the power of diverse sectors working toward the shared goal of improving community health and wellbeing.
Idaho Highway Safety Summit
The Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety invites you to register for the 2024 Idaho Highway Safety Summit. The free event will be held May 6-8, 2024, at the Boise Centre in beautiful downtown Boise. “Focus on the Future” and join us as we work together to save lives by sharing best practices and strategies to prevent fatalities and reduce traffic crashes. The summit is designed to foster discussion and interaction within Idaho's traffic safety community partners.
Idaho's Health Priorities: Community-Driven Solutions Conference
Idaho’s Health Priorities: Community-Driven Solutions Conference will be held May 29-32, 2024, at the Boise Centre. Registration, keynote speakers and details can be found on the conference website.
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