Bureau of Community Health (BCH) 

The Bureau of Community Health promotes and protects the health of Idahoans by implementing evidence-based and best-practice activities to reduce risky behaviors and lower health risks; developing and implementing programs to prevent and control chronic diseases; and promoting policies and strategies to create and support healthy communities.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (Project Filter)

The Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, known as Project Filter, fosters statewide coordination for successful tobacco control by preventing tobacco use among youth and young adults, promoting quitting tobacco to adults and youth, and eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke. Project Filter partners with Idaho’s seven local public health districts, tribes, and community-based organizations to eliminate tobacco use at the community level.

Project Filter funds the Idaho QuitLine, which provides easily accessible benefits to all Idaho residents who want to quit tobacco regardless of income or insurance status. These benefits include free counseling and nicotine replacement therapy for up to eight weeks, as well as free text, chat, or phone counseling for youth ages 13–17.

Women’s Health Check Program

The Women’s Health Check Program offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings for low-income women. Qualifying women must be ages 21–64, have incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and have no insurance coverage for breast and cervical cancer screenings.

The program works to improve systems that increase high-quality breast and cervical cancer screening. These include implementation of evidence-based interventions in health systems throughout the state, connecting patients to screening services, and informing policies to increase access to cancer screening.

Idaho Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

The Idaho Comprehensive Cancer Control Program works to reduce cancer in Idaho, where it is the second leading cause of death. The program's goal is to maintain and expand a coordinated, effective, and comprehensive program that defines the burden of cancer and related issues; develops resources and networks that can be accessed statewide; increases awareness of preventive behaviors; and increases awareness of the importance of early detection, which leads to increased survival.

Physical Activity and Nutrition Program

The Idaho Physical Activity and Nutrition Program encourages and enables all Idahoans to be physically active and make healthy food choices. The program promotes these ideals by enhancing education and awareness, supporting successful community programs and practices, and encouraging community designs and public policies that take residents’ health into account.

Fit and Fall Proof™

Fit and Fall Proof™ is a community-based exercise program for older adults. The program focuses on improving balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility to reduce the risk and severity of falls and to increase participants’ emotional and social well-being.

Fit and Fall Proof™ funds a core master trainer and provides funding to the public health districts to implement the program around the state. The public health districts have coordinators who are trained as master leaders and provide support to the local volunteer leaders who offer classes in churches, libraries, senior centers, community recreation centers, and other places seniors gather.

Oral Health Program

The Idaho Oral Health Program is the primary source for oral health monitoring and community-based oral disease prevention programs in the state. Oral health is an important predictor for the general health of our population.

The program was established in 1951 and continues to create strong partnerships that lead to improved oral health for Idaho residents. The program analyzes state and community data to inform program decisions and monitor oral health trends. It offers infrastructure and essential resources to support, create, implement, and evaluate oral health initiatives and policies.

Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke Prevention Program

The Idaho Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke Prevention Program supports the prevention and management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease through assessment and evaluation, strong partnerships, and sustainable implementation of evidence-based interventions and programs.

The program supports a statewide network of partners, including local public health districts, health systems, community-based programs, state associations, and others to establish new or expand existing Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support programs and diabetes support programs, establish new or expand existing national diabetes prevention programs for people with prediabetes, and increase community clinical connections that support referrals, self-management, and lifestyle changes for patients with high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program works to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s, dementias, and the value of early detection. The program also addresses the risk factors that impact brain health.

The program focuses on equipping Idahoans with the tools they need to improve brain health and reduce the risk of dementia or delay it through early lifestyle choices and prevention of chronic conditions. This work includes educating Idahoans about the benefits of early detection and increasing awareness about support and services for people with dementia and their family caregivers.

Sexual Violence Prevention Program

The Sexual Violence Prevention Program aims to prevent sexual violence in Idaho by preventing first-time occurrences of sexual violence; reducing risk factors and enhancing protective factors linked to sexual violence; and analyzing state and community data, such as health and safety data, to inform program decisions and monitor trends.

Drug Overdose Prevention Program

The Drug Overdose Prevention Program has worked collaboratively since 2017 with ipartners statewide to address the evolving opioid crisis. Idaho has experienced steadily increasing numbers of drug-overdose deaths. The program delivers public health prevention approaches to address the drug crisis, including educating prescribers; funding local trainings, prescription drug take-back events, and healthcare provider education; collaborating with public safety agencies to improve overdose data collection, expand access to naloxone, and link overdose patients to care; and increasing public awareness and knowledge about the dangers of illicitly manufactured fentanyl and the availability of naloxone, the medication that reverses opioid overdoses.

Refugee Health Screening Program

The Refugee Health Screening Program ensures that refugees who resettle in Idaho receive a timely health screening and necessary follow-up care. The program works with providers and resettlement agencies in the state to make sure refugees receive a timely and complete health assessment within 90 days, a referral for follow-up care when needed, and the skills to navigate the Idaho healthcare system.

Suicide Prevention Program

The Suicide Prevention Program works across the state to interrupt suicide, change stigma, and connect resources to those experiencing a suicidal crisis or recovering from a suicide loss. The program focuses prevention efforts on several populations at higher risk of suicide, including youth, rural, tribal, veterans, and several other high-risk groups.