Public Health

March 2021 - Strengthening Community

• The State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) is a tool for all Montanans to use to improve the health of their communities.
• Healthy people are critical for a healthy economy. Healthy children are better students and healthy adults make a more productive work force. Learn more about the health of Montanans and how our health relates to where we live, work, and play.
• Get updates about the SHIP and reach out to your local health department to learn about their community health improvement plans and how you can support their efforts.

September 2020 - Make It Count - 2020 Census

• Census data is used to distribute funding for over 300 federal programs, including more than $1 billion each year for Montana’s health care programs.
• Young children, people living in rural areas, and racial minorities, including American Indians, are at high risk of being undercounted.
• As of September 3, 2020, 40% of Montana residents still need to complete their census. . It takes less than 10 minutes to answer 9 simple questions that will shape your community for the next 10 years.  Please fill out your 2020 Census online,  or over the phone at 1-844-330-2020 before the deadline on Sept 30, 2020.

February 2020 - A Healthier Montana

• The 2019-2023 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) outlines five key priority areas to improve health in Montana, with goals, proven strategies to address health problems, and data to monitor health trends. 
• The 2019 Annual SHIP Report is now available to be used by Montanans as a resource to support planning conversations around improving the health of their communities.
• Visit A Healthier Montana website for updates and to sign up for a mailing list to receive ongoing communication about the SHIP.

January 2020 - Public Health Connects Us All: Social Determinants of Health

• Conditions where we are born and live affect our health and quality of life.  These conditions are called social determinates of health (SDOH).
• SDOH can be social, economic, or physical and help explain in part why some people are healthier than others.  
• Public health connects us all; state, tribal and local public health are applying what we know about SDOH to improve the health of people and their communities.