The Public Health Division (PHD) fulfills the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) mission by working with individuals, families, communities and partners to improve health, eliminate disparities, respond to health threats, and ensure timely access to quality, culturally competent health care.

The Public Health Division serves all New Mexicans.   

PHD staff members implement evidence based public health interventions and promote healthy lifestyle choices that reduce the burden of chronic and infectious disease in our communities. Public Health assures access to health care through case management, and through recruitment and retention efforts including the J-1 Visa Program, licensing of midwives and community health workers, tax credits for  rural health providers, and collaboration with rural primary health care providers throughout the state.

FY18 OPERATING BUDGET: $ 181,331,100

• General Funds: $ 49,846,500
• Other Transfers: $ 16,839,500
• Federal Funds: $ 72,078,100
• Other State Funds: $ 42,567,000

During the third quarter of FY18, some of PHD’s accomplishments included:

• The Santa Clara Pueblo Health Committee received notification that their application was selected by the Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center (AASTEC) to receive funding of up to $20,000 to conduct a community health needs assessment with technical support from staff at AASTEC.  This milestone will allow Santa Clara Pueblo to update their last community needs assessment which was done in 2007. Health Promotion supported the application process, and will continue to support the Santa Clara Health Committee in finalizing their needs assessment by September 2018. 
• The School Kids Influenza Immunization Project (SKIIP) is a large collaboration between many agencies and programs to provide flu vaccine to children in schools. In the Southeast Region 32 of the 33 school districts participated in giving flu vaccine in schools. This project is unique in that New Mexico and Hawaii are the only states in the USA that have such a state-wide program. The Southeast Region vaccinated almost 5,800 children through SKIIP.
• The Southwest Region Health Promotion Team worked closely with the Silver City Arts and Cultural District to launch a program that promotes walking and other physical activity. The program is funded by a grant from the New Mexico Department of Tourism and includes the construction of a trails kiosk located at the Silver City Visitors Center, way-finding signs for local trailheads, and a trails brochure.
• Four WIC offices in the Albuquerque Metro Area were selected to pilot the new WIC management information and electronic benefits system. The pilot started in February and statewide rollout is planned for July of 2018.