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.

FY19 OPERATING BUDGET: $ 175,593,300

• General Funds: $ 49,775,300
• Other Transfers: $ 14,664,500
• Federal Funds: $ 69,804,400
• Other State Funds: $ 41,349,100

During the first quarter of FY19, some of PHD’s accomplishments included:

• A critical role in a Blood-Borne infection investigation that centered on persons who received injection related services, including a vampire facial, at a cosmetology spa located in Albuquerque. Services included HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C confidential lab testing and counseling services for clients via Public Health Offices statewide. In addition, Disease Investigation Specialists (DIS) conducted client interviews to reduce new infections and assist with the investigation.   
• For a second year in a row, the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) and Albuquerque Isotopes partnered for "Throw Diabetes a Curve" during the Isotopes home game on August 16th. DPCP and Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (HDSP) staff provided information to fans about the seriousness of both prediabetes and diabetes and promoted the DPCP's diabetes prevention and self-management programs and the Paths to Health NM: Tools for Healthier Living initiative. One hundred thirty-five (135) referrals were collected throughout the night from fans who expressed an interest in wanting to enroll in a diabetes prevention or self-management class, as well as other program's available through Paths to Health NM.
• The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program was recognized for promoting the importance of teaching child development to parents in order to extend breastfeeding duration. The Journal of the United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA) published research conducted with the New Mexico WIC Program, which shows how teaching normal infant/child development and behavior to WIC professionals can positively impact breastfeeding duration.
• The Northwest Public Health Region and the New Mexico Medical Reserve Corp provided Emergency Medical Services during the 2018 Senior Olympic State Games. The Games were held July 18 - July 22, 2018 at numerous locations in the Albuquerque Metro Area. New Mexico Senior Olympics provides adults 50+ with opportunities for a healthy active lifestyle. Their mission is to promote physical fitness for seniors statewide by providing year-round opportunities and motivation for adults 50+ to participate in local, state, and national games.  PHD Region staff provided over 66 hours of service at the event.