Idaho is known for its rugged beauty and millions of acres of wilderness. The Idaho landscape ranges from subalpine forests to desert, mountains to fertile farms, lakes and waterfalls to canyons and gorges. Idaho has the greatest stand of white pine trees in the country and is first in the country in production of silver. Idaho covers 82,747 square miles, with a 2010 estimated population of 1,567,582 people – 539,446 living in rural Idaho (USDA-ERS). Boise, the capital, is located in the southwestern region of the state. The state’s largest cities include Boise, Nampa, Pocatello and Idaho Falls. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 89.1% of the state’s population is white, 1.4% is American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% is Asian and 11.2% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2010).
There are 44 hospitals in Idaho, 27 of which are located in rural areas (North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Dec. 2008). The state has 27 hospitals identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical Access Hospitals (Sept. 2010). There are 44 Rural Health Clinics in Idaho (Kaiser, 2011), and 11 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 67 sites in the state (Kaiser, 2010). Most Idahoans have some form of health insurance coverage, although 15.0% of its residents lack health insurance (Kaiser, 2008-2009).
According to the Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for Idahoans in 2009 was $31,857, although rural per-capita income lagged at $29,846. 2010 estimates indicate a poverty rate of 16.9% exists in rural Idaho, compared to an 15.3% level in urban areas of the state. 2010 ACS data reports that 14.5% of the rural population has not completed high school, compared to 10.4% of urban populations. The unemployment rate in rural Idaho is at 9.4%, while in urban Idaho it is at 9.3% (USDA-ERS, 2010).
For a national comparison, please see an overview of the United States.
Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau: State & County QuickFacts; USDA Economic Research Service: State Fact Sheets; North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center; Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts; Flex Monitoring Team: Critical Access Hospital List
Organizations
Center for Children with Special Needs (CSHCN)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Focuses on improving care for children with special needs by providing information to families and health care professionals throughout the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho). Focuses on children who have chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions such as asthma, cancer, autism, or cerebral palsy.
Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho
State/regional organization
Assists over 100,000 low income and disadvantaged participants annually.
HUD Community Development Block Grants: Idaho
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
Idaho Area Health Education Center
State/regional organization
Provides technical assistance to hospitals and clinics in Idaho including community assessments, employee satisfaction surveys, and organizational reviews.
Idaho Bureau of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
State government
Provides a variety of information and resources on adult and children's mental health.
Idaho Commission on Aging (ICOA)
State government
Works to improve quality of life for all older Idahoans, vulnerable adults, and their families through education, advocacy, accountability and service; to provide opportunity for all to live independent, meaningful and dignified lives within communities of their choice.
Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CDHH)
State government
The Council's mission is to improve the quality of life for Idahoans who are deaf or hard of hearing by providing information and by serving as an advocate for increased services and better access to services. The CDHH website is a centralized portal for statewide deaf and hard of hearing upcoming events, resources, news, and information about CDHH.
Idaho Department of Commerce & Labor
State government
The Idaho state agency that provides information, services, and programs regarding employment, community and economic development, and business programs.
Idaho Department of Education: Bureau of Special Education
State government
Works to enable all students to achieve high academic standards and quality of life, the Special Education Bureau works collaboratively with districts, agencies, and parents to ensure students receive quality, meaningful, and needed services.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
State government
To promote and protect the health and safety of Idahoans.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: Child Support Services
State government
Helps parents meet their obligations of support and health for their children. Child Support Services enhances the well-being of children, promotes positive parental involvement, and improves the self-sufficiency of families.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: Developmental Disabilities (DD)
State government
Provides a variety of services to children and adults who have developmental delays and disabilities, and to their families.
Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
State government
Assists people with disabilities to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment.
Idaho Hospital Association (IHA)
State/regional organization
Works to strengthen Idaho hospitals' viability and capacity to best serve their communities.
Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA)
State/regional organization
A financial institution and administrator of housing resources that provides funding for affordable housing opportunities in Idaho communities where they are most needed and when it is economically feasible.
Idaho Public Health Association
State/regional organization
Promotes the creation of positive public health policy, educates policy makers and interested parties about public policy issues, and supports the training of future public health professionals.
Idaho Rural Health Association
State/regional organization
Committed to the health and welfare of rural Idahoans and populations through establishing access to appropriate and equitable health care services and to assist its members in providing leadership on rural issues through advocacy, communications, education, evidence-based research and community health education.
Idaho State Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
State government
Promotes access to quality health care for people in Idaho through a variety of programs, services, and activities.
Institute of Translational Health Science (ITHS)
Academic/Research
Supports translational research - research that improves human health by leading to discoveries that will eliminate human disease.
Monida Healthcare Network
State/regional organization
A regional association of more than 450 physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers serving residents of Montana and Idaho.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Northwest Region (NN/LM-PNR)
State/regional organization
Supports collaboration among regional libraries and information centers in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB)
Tribal organization
Works to assist Northwest tribes to improve the health status and quality of life of member tribes and Indian people in their delivery of culturally appropriate and holistic health care. A Native American Research Center on Health site.
Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC)
State/regional organization
One of five telehealth resource centers. Assists health care organizations, health care networks, and health care providers in the implementation of cost-effective telehealth programs to serve rural and medically underserved areas and populations. Includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU)
State government
Educates and trains health professionals in allied health and osteopathic medicine. Focuses on increasing access to primary health care services to rural communities in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
Qualis Health
State/regional organization
Serves as the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Idaho and Washington. Also provides service to Alaska.
Regence Foundation
Nonprofit/Foundation
Committed to building healthier communities, transforming health care and supporting end-of-life issues.
Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Helps rural communities in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming to improve community infrastructure. Offers numerous services including loans for housing and environment.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Idaho
Federal government
Works to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing. The HUD state office provides information about HUD housing programs and local contacts for the state.
USDA Rural Development Idaho State Office
Federal government
Committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. The Rural Development State Office provides information about Rural Development programs and applications for financial assistance.
Washington and Idaho Regional Extension Center (WIREC)
State/regional organization
Washington and Idaho State Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) that helps health care providers become meaningful users of electronic health records by providing information and technical assistance.
Western Rural Development Center (WRDC)
State/regional organization
One of four regional development centers in the nation. Participates in rural development research and extension (outreach) projects cooperatively with universities in the West. Serves a 13 state area in the Western region and 4 U.S. Pacific Territories, which includes WA, UT, WY, NV, ID, HI, CA, AZ, AK, OR, NM, MT, and CO.
WWAMI Area Health Education Center Network (WWAMI AHEC)
State/regional organization
WWAMI AHEC Program consists of the program office, and six independent AHEC Centers in the five WWAMI states: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. Works to alleviate shortages of health care personnel in medically underserved rural and urban areas.
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center (WWAMI RHRC)
Academic/Research
One of nine Rural Health Research Centers currently funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy. Focuses on training and supply of rural health care providers, availability and quality of care for rural women and children, and access to high-quality care for vulnerable and minority rural populations. Based in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Tools
Better Todays. Better Tomorrows
Web site
A project of Idaho State University's Institute of Rural Health and other partners educates gatekeepers and caregivers on the signs and symptoms of mental disorders in children and youth. Since its inception four years ago, the project has trained approximately 1,500 professionals, parents, and community members statewide.
ERS State Fact Sheet: Idaho
Web site
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
Idaho Health Careers - 3RNet
Web site
Matches providers in health related fields who are looking for opportunities in rural and underserved areas of Idaho with vacancies in practice sites.
Idaho Health Centers Data
Web site
Provides access to information on Federally Qualified Health Centers for the state. Includes a map of FQHC locations, as well as information on the populations served by health centers, services provided, staff, patient visits, costs of care, and use of electronic health information.
Idaho KIDS COUNT Data Center (KCDC)
Web site
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Idaho QuickFacts
Web site
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Idaho State Health Facts
Database
The latest state-level data on demographics, health, and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing, and state legislation. Individual state profiles and 50-state comparisons.
Indicators Northwest
Web site
A source of statistics by region, state, county, reservation, and tribe for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Users can find indicators and trends in areas like: demographics, economic well-being, and health.
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Idaho
Web site
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
NN/LM Pacific Northwest Region: Idaho Resources
Web site
Overview of the state, with links to state agencies, health associations, and other resources for Idaho.
WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies Regional Information Center
Web site
Provides access to health workforce information for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho. Content is available by state and by profession.
See also: Resources for All States: Tools Documents, Reports and Other Publications
2012 WICHE Workplan: It's All About Outcomes
Sponsoring organization: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Discusses WICHE's focus in 2012 which includes finance, access and success, workforce and society, technology and innovation, and accountability. Highlights students exchange programs in rural and underserved areas, rural healthcare initiatives, and rural primary care clinics.
Date: 09 / 2011
Case Studies on Transit and Livable Communities in Rural and Small Town America
Author(s): Sean Barry
Sponsoring organization: Transportation for America
Collection of 12 case studies providing examples of how small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities.
Date: 09 / 2010
Changing West: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Provides baseline data for identifying population changes in the western states for use in advancing rural development.
Date: 2008
Demographic and Economic Profile: Idaho
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
Presents demographics, economics, and research on Idaho. Includes statistics, data, maps, charts, and graphs.
Date: 11 / 2008
Education: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Explores education characteristics in the western states and examines how it impacts rural development.
Date: 2008
Employment, Income and Poverty: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines and compares employment and income in western states with both rural and urban data.
Date: 2008
Health and Longevity: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines health and longevity for states in the western region.
Date: 2008
Idaho Family Physician Rural Work Force Assessment: Pilot Study
Author(s): Ed Baker, David Schmitz, MaryLou Newell, Robert Ford
Sponsoring organization: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Reports on the research related to the Idaho
Family Medicine physician rural work force program that facilitates improved access to quality healthcare services.
Date: 06 / 2007
Idaho Rural Family Physician Workforce Study: The Community Apgar Questionnaire
Author(s): David Schmitz, Ed Baker, Ted Epperly, Alex Reed, Ayaka Nukui
Sponsoring organization: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Identifies community factors that help rural communities recruit and retain family physicians.
Date: 07 / 2008
Land Use and Resources: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines land use and resources in the western states.
Date: 2008
Small Business Profile: Idaho
Sponsoring organization: Small Business Administration
Profile of the state's economy, covering the number of firms, industry composition, small business income, banking, women and minority business ownership, and employment.
Date: 02 / 2011
State of Idaho: Population Brief
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Access baseline information for the advancement of rural development that examines population changes and characteristics within Idaho. Files are available for each county or as a statewide overview.
Date: 2008
Student Exchange Programs: Statistical Report, Academic Year 2011-12
Sponsoring organization: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Discusses WICHE's three student exchange programs: Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), and Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP). Covers Fall 2011 enrollment, discusses health workforce shortages, and the funds that flow between students' home states and the enrolling institutions in these programs.
Date: 01 / 2012
See also: Resources for All States: Documents Journals
Idaho - Frontier Footnotes
Published three times a year. Includes news from the Idaho State Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, the Idaho Rural Health Association, and the Idaho Area Health Education Center.
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