A Day in the Life of Wendy Walther Davis: The ‘Why’ of the Work
Like many department employees, Wendy Walther Davis, medical program specialist, sits in an unassuming office in the belly of an office building where the public does not tread. Also like so many...
View ArticleWash your hands, because it’s gross if you don’t! (And it might make you sick)
Given the news we recently heard that something like a quarter of all cooks don’t wash their hands, and the fact that we’re in the middle of flu season, it’s time for our annual plea and reminder about...
View ArticleMedicaid enrollment for expansion continues
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is enrolling eligible Idaho adults in Medicaid who earn up to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Limit. Benefits for those folks will begin on Jan. 1, 2020....
View ArticleA day in the life of Carlos Ramos, psychosocial rehabilitation specialist at DHW
As Carlos Ramos, psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, breezes through the regional office where he is based, his banter with colleagues leaves a warm wake of energy, humor, and generosity. His every...
View ArticleIdaho is seeing an increase in whooping cough cases. Are you immunized?
We are starting to see an increase in the number of whooping cough (also called pertussis) cases in Idaho, specifically in the southwest part of the state. So now is a good time to remind everyone to...
View ArticleNews Release: DHW reports first flu-related deaths
NEWS RELEASE–FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: Dec. 23, 2019 Contact: Lori Gilbert Communications Specialist (208) 334-0668 DHW reports first flu-related deaths this season The first two deaths...
View Article2 out of 5 Idaho homes tested for radon show dangerous levels of the gas
Radon gas is an odorless, tasteless gas that is present in many homes in Idaho. It’s dangerous in high levels – it is the leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers. It’s a serious health issue in...
View ArticleCervical cancer screenings prevent cancer – every woman should be screened...
All women, especially those over the age of 30, are at risk for developing cervical cancer, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s also the easiest gynecologic cancer to prevent....
View ArticleA Day in the Life: The residential habilitation certification team ensures...
The Division of Licensing and Certification – not to be confused with Vital Records or Occupational Licenses – licenses and certifies 18 distinct healthcare facilities and agency types in Idaho on an...
View ArticleIt’s American Heart Month. Do you know your heart health?
It’s probably no coincidence that February is American Heart Month. It’s a good time for conversations about matters of the heart, and it’s a great time to talk to your healthcare provider about your...
View ArticleWhat should Idahoans know about the 2019 novel coronavirus?
The national and international situation with the novel coronavirus is rapidly evolving, with the number of cases and deaths changing daily. Public Health officials around the world are working around...
View ArticleMusic therapy: Helping us all engage in new ways
As her fingers gracefully dance over the keyboard, Kate Schnieder, board-certified music therapist at The Lotus Tree Sensory Integration Center in Boise, guides her piano duet partner, Client N, with...
View ArticleBehavioral Health Crisis Centers – A helping hand for Idahoans in need
On an unseasonably warm day early this winter, a young man in a too-long sweater, socks, and baggy grey sweatpants sits outside the doors of an unassuming building near the Boise Towne Square mall,...
View ArticleA day in the life of Dan Asbury, administrative service manager for the...
From the concrete tunnels below the streets of Boise to the pristine mountain ranges of Coeur d’Alene, Dan Asbury’s workspace transcends the confines of a typical cubicle. On any given day, his office...
View ArticleMy Life, My Quit is a program specifically for teens to help them quit nicotine
Idaho teens who want to quit tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and vapes, now have a program specifically made for them and to help them on their quit journey. It’s called My Life, My...
View ArticleBehavioral Health Administrator Ross Edmunds: We’re here to help manage...
Gov. Brad Little’s announcement of a stay-at-home order is a demonstration of his commitment to keeping Idaho as safe and healthy as possible through this unprecedented pandemic. In addition, the...
View ArticleCOVID-19: A message from DHW Director Dave Jeppesen
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s (DHW) mission is to promote and protect the health and safety of all Idahoans. I have had the privilege of being the director of DHW since January 2019....
View ArticleDHW Director Dave Jeppesen encourages Idahoans to stay strong and safe as we...
Stay-Home Order Update On Wednesday, April 15, Gov. Brad Little extended the Stay-Home Order to April 30 (with some exceptions outlined below). Thankfully, the mitigation has been working, and Idaho is...
View ArticleGuidelines for Opening Up Idaho: DHW Director Dave Jeppesen outlines the...
Gov. Brad Little unveiled his Path to Prosperity, Guidelines for Opening Up Idaho, at a press conference yesterday. The document outlines a staged approach to getting our economy moving and getting...
View ArticleSafeguarding the health and prosperity of Idahoans: An Update from DHW...
Yesterday, Gov. Brad Little announced some great news for Idahoans. Because Idahoans followed the Stay-Home Order and met the outlined criteria, we are able to enter Stage 1 of the Governor’s Rebound...
View Article