About IDPH
Who We Are
The Iowa Department of Public Health commits to protecting and promoting the health of Iowans; this includes ensuring every Iowan understands why it’s important to be prepared for any public health emergency, natural or man-made. IDPH works with other local, state, and federal response partners in developing plans and creating systems to improve response to bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
Learn more about the Iowa Department of Public Health by checking out our web site www.idph.state.ia.us.
Why we are sponsoring this campaign
It’s easy to take our personal health safety for granted; but emergencies, both natural and man-made, can and do happen anywhere. Iowans have experience responding to such emergencies as tornadoes, floods and outbreaks, making us aware we are not immune from danger.
Since the first meeting of the state board of health in 1880, Iowa’s organized public health system has continually addressed ways to protect your health. For nearly 125 years, public health has defended against smallpox, whooping cough, influenza and most recently, the emergence of the West Nile virus. However, since the tragic events of 9/11, new public health threats have emerged to include bioterrorism or other man-made health threats.
The Iowa Department of Public Health recognizes this need and is sponsoring this emergency preparedness campaign to provide the public with information on how to keep themselves and their families safe.
For more information about the Iowa Department of Public Health, see our What We Do Page.