READYidaho.org Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) —
- The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (formerly the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness) serves as the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary's principal advisory staff on matters related to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. ASPR also coordinates interagency activities between HHS, other Federal departments, agencies, and offices, and State and local officials responsible for emergency preparedness and the protection of the civilian population from acts of bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. ASPR is comprised of four main offices; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations (OPEO), Office of Medicine, Science, and Public Health (OMSPH), and Office of Policy and Strategic Planning (OPSP). Link to website »
- Avian Influenza —
Influenza viruses
that occur naturally among wild birds. Low pathogenic AI is common in birds and causes few problems. Highly pathogenic
H5N1 is deadly to domestic fowl, can be transmitted from birds to humans, and is deadly to humans. There is virtually
no human immunity and human vaccine availability is very limited.- Bureau of Health Planning and Resource Development —
- A Bureau within the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Health that consists of the Health Preparedness Program (HPP) and the State Office of Rural Health. Both programs work closely with hospitals, federally-qualified health centers, rural health clinics, emergency medical services providers, local district health departments, associations, universities, and other key entities in the health system. Link to website »
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) —
- United States government agency at the forefront of public health efforts to prevent and control infectious and chronic diseases, injuries, workplace hazards, disabilities, and environmental health threats. CDC is one of 13 major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services. Link to website »
- Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) —
- An effective means of emergency planning to assess and plan how quickly an organization can get back to business after an emergency or disaster. COOP assesses how an organization functions to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are necessary to keep the organization in operating status.
- Disease —
- The condition in which the functioning of the body or a part of the body is interfered with or damaged. In a person with an infectious disease, the infectious agent that has entered the body causes it to function abnormally in some way or ways. The type of abnormal functioning that occurs is the disease. Usually the body will show some signs and symptoms of the problems it is having with functioning. Disease should not be confused with infection.
- District Health Departments (DHDs) —
As independent
agencies, Idaho's seven health districts are primary outlets for public health services. Districts work closely
with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and other state and local agencies. Each district
has a board of health appointed by county commissioners within that area. The districts are not part of any state
agency.
Each district responds to local needs to provide services that may vary from district to district, ranging from community and home health nursing to environmental health, dental hygiene, health preparedness, and nutrition. Many services are provided through contracts with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.- Division of Health —
- The Division of Health, one of seven Divisions in the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, provides public health services including immunizations, testing for communicable diseases, regulating food safety, certifying emergency medical personnel, vital record administration, compilation of health statistics, and public health preparedness. The Division’s programs and services actively promote healthy lifestyles through prevention activities, in addition to monitoring and intervening in disease transmission and providing public health education on health risks to safeguard Idahoans. Link to website »
- Epidemiology —
- The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) —
- A United States government agency that leads the nation’s environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts. Organized in 1970, EPA is working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people. Link to website »
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) —
An agency within
the United States Department of Health and Human Services that is responsible for protecting the public health
by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices,
the United States’ food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. Link
to website »- Health Preparedness Program (HPP) —
- A federally funded program within Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) whose purpose is to ensure oversight and coordination through cooperative agreements with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
- Idaho Bioterrorism Awareness and Preparedness Program (IBAPP) —
Provides bioterrorism
and emergency preparedness training to Idaho's healthcare workforce. IBAPP is funded by a grant provided through
the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to the Institute
of Rural Health at Idaho State University. Trainings include webcasts, virtual table-top exercises and drills,
simulations, seminars, hands-on laboratory scenarios, satellite broadcasts, and on-site courses. Link
to website »- Idaho Bureau of Labs (IBL) —
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare laboratory that provides services to state agencies, Idaho’s seven district
health departments, private physicians' laboratories, clinical and environmental laboratories, and the general
public. Services include:
- Testing environmental, food, human, and animal samples for disease and chemical content;
- Training and certification of private laboratories in the state; and
- Certifying x-ray and mammography machines.
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) —
- A state executive branch agency whose mission is to promote and protect the health and safety of all Idahoans.
IDHW offers programs that deal with complex social, economic and individual issues. These programs include, but are not limited to, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Child Protection, and Disease Prevention. In 2007, IDHW helped almost 340,000 people statewide (one out of every four Idahoans).
Many IDHW programs are designed to help families in crisis situations, giving a helping hand to vulnerable children and adults. IDHW programs are integrated to provide the basics of food, health care, job training, and other assistance to get Idahoans back on their feet as self-reliant community members. Link to website »
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Operations Center (IDHWOC) —
- A central command and control center during an emergency for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. IDHWOC includes key members to carry out emergency management functions.
- Idaho Prepares Learning Management System (LMS) —
A secure online
learning management system for public health preparedness education. The system, administered by the Idaho
Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) and the Idaho State University Institute of Emergency
Management (ISU-IEM), provides student transcripts, a library of archived trainings, and resources pertaining
to public health and emergency management. Link to website »- Idaho State University, Institute of Emergency Management (ISU-IEM) —
- A program within Idaho State University offering workshops, courses, certificates, and in the future, degrees, to meet the professional and career development needs of Idahoans employed in or planning a career in emergency management. The institute was approved by the Idaho State Board of Education in July 2003 and is located at Idaho State University — Boise. Link to website »
- Infection —
- Invasion of the body or a body part by a pathogenic organism, which multiplies and produces harmful effects on the body’s tissues.
- Influenza —
- A serious disease caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract. There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C. Only influenza A viruses are further classified by subtype on the basis of the two main surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Influenza A subtypes and B viruses are further classified by strains. Humans can be infected with influenza types A, B, and C viruses. Subtypes of influenza A that are currently circulating among people worldwide include H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2 viruses. Wild birds are the natural host for all known subtypes of influenza A viruses. Typically, wild birds do not become sick when they are infected with avian influenza A viruses. However, domestic poultry, such as turkeys and chickens, can become very sick and die from avian influenza, and some avian influenza A viruses also can cause serious disease and death in wild birds.
- Medical Surge Capacity —
- The ability of a healthcare system to adequately care for increased numbers of patients.
- Northwest Center for Public Health Practice (NWCPHP) —
- A center for public health practice whose efforts are focused on the Northwest Portland Indian Health Board (NPAIHP)
and the six Pacific Northwest states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. The Northwest
Center for Public Health Practice at the University of Washington provides just-in-time training, ongoing learning
resources, and evaluation expertise for professionals to stay current and build capacity. Trainings are tailored
to meet the needs of state, tribal, and local communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Link
to website »
- Office of Epidemiology and Food Protection —
- Located within Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) and in coordination with the seven District Health Departments (DHDs), this bureau carries out epidemiology activities the Idaho public health system. These activities include disease investigation, data collection, data analysis, and outbreak investigation and control. The OEFP also works with other local, state, and federal agencies to obtain and provide public health information and resources to assist in effectively carrying out epidemiology activities in Idaho. Link to website »
- Outbreak —
- Sudden appearance of a disease in a specific geographic area (e.g., neighborhood or community) or population (e.g., adolescents)
- Pandemic Influenza (Pan Flu) —
- Virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Link to website »
- State Communications Center (StateComm) —
- A branch of Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Health that supports a statewide system for responding to critical illness and injury. Services of StateComm include: licensing ambulance and non-transport EMS services, certification and recertification of EMS personnel, technical assistance and grants to community EMS agencies, and evaluation of EMS system performance. Link to website »
- State Office of Rural Health and Primary Care —
A program within Idaho
Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Health, Bureau of Health Planning and Resource Development
that strives to promote access to quality healthcare for people in Idaho. This is accomplished through the collection
and dissemination of health information; coordination of health resources and activities statewide; provision
of technical assistance to communities; support of health professional recruitment and retention efforts; and
promotion of local, state and federal partnerships. Link
to website »- US Department of Health and Human Services —
A department of
the federal executive branch responsible for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human
services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. The department includes more than 300 programs
and is responsible for the Social Security Administration, the Public Health Service, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other programs designed to promote public welfare. Link
to website »
