The Public Health Division (PHD) fulfills the 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 FY18, some of PHD’s accomplishments included:

• The Harm Reduction Program worked to reduced opioid overdose deaths through widespread distribution of Naloxone (an opioid antagonist) and training on its use. The result in FY18 was over 1,600 reported overdose reversals.
• The Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) pilot concluded on November 15, 2017 with the graduation of 16 Community Health Workers and Home Visitors. The training topics included the background and prevalence of child maltreatment, recognizing risk and protective factors, child development, social determinants of health, early intervention, reflective practice to name a few. 
• Teens enrolled in Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program (TOP®) through the Family Planning Program’s educational contracts completed over 7,613 hours of community service across NM in FY 18.  Community Service Learning (CSL) gives teens an opportunity to practice new skills, foster a sense of self -efficacy, and feel a sense of purpose in their role in the community.  
• The New Mexico Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection (BCC) Program provided free, age-appropriate breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to 5,700 low-income women in FY18. The BCC Program also provided support for 465 low-income New Mexico women to receive clinic-based patient navigation services to address the barriers preventing them from obtaining breast and cervical cancer screening and/or diagnostic services.
• The Diabetes Prevention and Control Program worked with its partners to improve access to, and participation in, the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) for adults with prediabetes or at high risk for diabetes. by establishing three new NDPP delivery sites.
• The Albuquerque  Water Utility Authority began fluoridating its systems on July 1, 2018.
• The Tobacco Use and Prevention and Control Program and the Office of Oral Health staff developed and implemented an on line Tobacco Cessation Training Program for dental providers. The training is available for dental assistants, dental hygienists, dentists, and office staff.  Dental hygienists and dentists receive 1  CEU.