Governor Brad Little has officially proclaimed August as “Keeping Idaho Healthy Month”, recognizing the state’s leadership in advancing public health initiatives under the national Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. The announcement came during a visit from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who joined the governor in Boise to celebrate Idaho’s health progress and collaborate on new strategies to support behavioral health in tribal communities.
“I am honored to host Secretary Kennedy as we celebrate the many MAHA wins Idaho has championed in collaboration with President Trump’s administration,” Governor Little said. “Idahoans are active, engaged people who care deeply about creating strong, safe communities, and MAHA fits perfectly into our ethos here in Idaho.”
The two leaders convened a morning gathering with agency heads, Superintendent Debbie Critchfield, legislators, and local health stakeholders to highlight Idaho’s grassroots-driven efforts to improve nutrition, mental health, and community resilience—key pillars of the MAHA initiative.
Secretary Kennedy praised Idaho’s example: “Thank you, Governor Little, for leading the charge to keep Idaho healthy. While HHS drives our national effort to Make America Healthy Again, Idaho is taking bold action. You’re not waiting on Washington—you’re improving nutrition, strengthening behavioral health, backing farmers at the heart of this movement, and standing with Indian Country.”
Later today, Governor Little and Secretary Kennedy will host a tribal leadership roundtable to address growing behavioral health challenges on Idaho’s tribal reservations. Recent data has shown an uptick in suicide deaths among tribal populations, prompting both the state and federal government to increase mental health resources in these communities.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently deployed additional behavioral health support to tribal areas in Idaho. The roundtable aims to build on that response by fostering better coordination between state agencies, tribal governments, and federal partners.
Governor Little emphasized the importance of collaboration in this space: “I’m especially pleased we’re spending so much of our time today discussing how we can better support the behavioral health needs of our tribal members. These are conversations that matter—and they’re long overdue.”
As part of “Keeping Idaho Healthy Month,” the state will roll out a series of initiatives and public awareness campaigns encouraging healthy lifestyles, mental wellness, and community-based solutions across Idaho’s urban and rural regions.
The proclamation and visit mark a continued alignment between Idaho’s health priorities and the Trump administration’s broader MAHA agenda, which seeks to localize public health leadership and empower communities to take action.
By: DNU staff