We 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. 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's 44 counties are grouped into seven Public Health Districts and are governed by policy boards appointed by the county commissioners in those Districts.
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. About Us 2000 North Central District Health Department, All Rights Reserved.