North Dakota Public Health Association

06/12/2026

🇺🇸 America 250: Public Health in North Dakota 🇺🇸
1826-1851: The Gift of the Buffalo

For generations, the buffalo was the foundation of health and well-being for Indigenous communities across the Northern Plains. It provided a reliable source of nutritious food, warm clothing, shelter and tools, while supporting strong communities and a sustainable way of life. Nearly every part of the animal served a purpose, reflecting values of conservation, stewardship and respect for natural resources.

During this period, the buffalo remained central to the health, culture and economy of the Plains tribes. As westward expansion and trade increased among American and European settlers, however, pressures on buffalo herds and Native communities began to grow, foreshadowing significant public health challenges in the decades ahead.

Far from the Great Plains, formal public health was also beginning to take shape in the United States. In 1850, Massachusetts statistician Lemuel Shattuck published the Report of the Sanitary Commission of Massachusetts, a landmark document that called for government-led sanitation and laid the foundation for modern public health.

While these early public health advances marked important progress, they provided little benefit to Native communities, highlighting the unequal access to public health protections that would continue for generations.

As we celebrate 250 years of America and reflect on 250 years of public health in North Dakota, this chapter reminds us that public health has always been shaped by the relationship between people, the environment and access to essential resources. It is also a reminder to persist in pursuing the public health goal of health equity.

Next up: Settlement and Change (1851–1876)

06/12/2026

Thank you to Western Plains Public Health for helping promote smoke-free environments and to***co cessation resources in North Dakota.

Creating healthier communities takes all of us. Learn more by checking out their post below.

🚭 Fresh air matters!

To keep our shared spaces comfortable and healthy, remember:
Smoking and va**ng are not allowed indoors or within 20 feet of entrances in North Dakota.

We appreciate everyone doing their part! 🙌

💪 Thinking about quitting? We’re here for you.
Western Plains Public Health offers programs tailored to your needs to support you every step of the way.

👉 Learn more and choose your path:
www.westernplainsph.org/to***co-prevention-control

06/11/2026

This kind of packaging for to***co products is now common around the world. To***co Free North Dakota

📍 Paris, France
📸 Submitted by Dr. Mark Strand

As part of our Summer Through a Public Health Lens series, Dr. Strand shared this observation from Paris, where cigarette packaging includes warning labels such as “Smoking kills” and “Smoking can cause a slow and painful death,” or an image of a person suffering from cancer.

Public health messaging and to***co prevention efforts can look very different around the world, offering insight into how countries approach awareness and health communication in everyday life.

During North Dakota Quit Week, this serves as one example of how public health policies and messaging are woven into daily experiences across communities and countries.

06/11/2026

Be sure to check out this Summer Safety Webinar on Monday, June 15! ☀️

See the post below for additional details and the registration link.

Thank you to Foundation for a Healthy North Dakota for hosting this Webinar and helping North Dakotans stay healthy and safe this summer! ☀️

Sign up today for our next educational webinar! We'll be joined on Tuesday, June 15th by Alyssa Preszler of Safe Kids Bismarck-Mandan for a conversation about all things summer safety. Get the peace of mind you need to let your family enjoy the sun and fun responsibly! Register: bit.ly/49rLpqI

06/10/2026

🇺🇸 America 250: Public Health in North Dakota 🇺🇸
1801–1826: Sports, Trade and Disease

Long before organized public health systems existed, Indigenous communities across present-day North Dakota understood the importance of physical activity, social connection and community well-being. Running races, horse racing, lacrosse and other traditional games provided recreation while promoting physical health, teamwork and cultural connection.

During this period, however, increasing contact with European traders and military expeditions brought new public health challenges. Diseases such as whooping cough and measles spread through Native communities, causing illness among populations with little prior exposure to these diseases.

New environmental threats also emerged. Rats, introduced through increased trade and military activity, damaged food supplies and created additional health concerns. In response, Indigenous communities developed innovative solutions, including specialized underground storage pits designed to protect valuable food resources.

The story of public health in North Dakota is also a story of resilience, adaptation and community-driven solutions in the face of changing challenges.

Next up: The Gift of the Buffalo to Public Health (1801-1826)

06/09/2026

Fascinating reminder about the public health of Native persons in the late 1700’s. This should be recognized and honored.
Pembina County Public Health Fargo Cass Public Health First District Health Unit Southwestern District Health Unit City-County Health District NDSU Public Health Association NDSU CAP Center - Collaboration and Advancement in Pharmacy Public Health at North Dakota State University Central Valley Health District Center for Rural Health Grand Forks Public Health Department Traill District Health Unit American Heart Association - North Dakota American Public Health Association North Dakota Department of Environmental Recovery Reinvented North Dakota Foster County Public Health Towner County Public Health Minnesota Public Health Association Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health UND Public Health Program To***co Free North Dakota NDSU Indigenous Student Community American Indian Public Health Resource Center

06/08/2026

🇺🇸 America 250: Public Health in North Dakota 🇺🇸
1776–1801: Public Health Among the First Residents

When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, the land we now call North Dakota was home to thriving Indigenous nations, including the Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara and Anishinaabe (Chippewa) peoples. For generations, these communities developed practices that supported health, wellness and community well-being. Food security was achieved through gardening practices and hunting; creating a balanced diet of corn, beans, squash, wild rice, meat, and other products.

Traditional healing emphasized the whole person and the health of the community. Indigenous peoples used medicinal plants and herbs, sweat lodges, nutritious food systems, spiritual practices and strong social connections to prevent illness and promote health. Their knowledge of medicine and healing was so respected that European traders and explorers, including Lewis and Clark, often relied on Native healers for care.

This period also marked increasing contact with Europeans, bringing devastating diseases such as smallpox. In 1781, a smallpox epidemic caused significant loss of life among the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara peoples, forever changing communities across the region.

As we look back on North Dakota's public health history, we recognize the enduring knowledge, resilience and contributions of Indigenous communities.

Next up: Sports, Trade and Disease (1801–1826)

06/06/2026

This month, please enjoy our historic 250 year celebration of public health in North Dakota. This will include 11 more posts. Pembina County Public Health Fargo Cass Public Health First District Health Unit Southwestern District Health Unit City-County Health District Ndsu American Indian Public Health Resource Center Central Valley Health District Center for Rural Health NDSU CAP Center - Collaboration and Advancement in Pharmacy Grand Forks Public Health Department Traill District Health Unit American Heart Association - North Dakota American Public Health Association North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality North Dakota Perinatal Quality Collaborative North Dakota Cancer Coalition North Dakota Nurses Association Recovery Reinvented North Dakota Public Health at North Dakota State University To***co Free North Dakota Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota

🇺🇸 Celebrating 250 Years of the United States 🇺🇸

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, marking the birth of a new nation founded on ideals of liberty, self-governance and opportunity. As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the North Dakota Public Health Association is taking a look back at the public health milestones, challenges and achievements that have shaped the health of North Dakotans.

Over the next several weeks, we'll travel through time in 25-year increments, beginning in 1776 and continuing to the present day. While North Dakota would not become a state until 1889, the story of public health in the region began long before statehood. Along the way, we'll explore important moments, challenges and achievements that helped shape the health of North Dakotans and the communities they call home.

Join us as we celebrate America's 250th anniversary by exploring 250 years of public health, community and history in North Dakota. Follow along and help us share North Dakota's public health story by liking and sharing these posts throughout the series.

Next up: Public Health Among the First Residents (1776–1801)

06/05/2026

🇺🇸 Celebrating 250 Years of the United States 🇺🇸

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, marking the birth of a new nation founded on ideals of liberty, self-governance and opportunity. As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the North Dakota Public Health Association is taking a look back at the public health milestones, challenges and achievements that have shaped the health of North Dakotans.

Over the next several weeks, we'll travel through time in 25-year increments, beginning in 1776 and continuing to the present day. While North Dakota would not become a state until 1889, the story of public health in the region began long before statehood. Along the way, we'll explore important moments, challenges and achievements that helped shape the health of North Dakotans and the communities they call home.

Join us as we celebrate America's 250th anniversary by exploring 250 years of public health, community and history in North Dakota. Follow along and help us share North Dakota's public health story by liking and sharing these posts throughout the series.

Next up: Public Health Among the First Residents (1776–1801)

06/05/2026

Enjoy the latest Public Health Matters podcast.

Western Plains Public Health (WPPH) is a five county local health district providing health services to the people of Grant, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, and Sioux Counties located in southwest central North Dakota.