Epidemics, Wars, and The Great Depression

Early Public Health in a Rural State

By Ginger Floerchinger-Franks

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About the Book

Public health is often forgotten until a well-publicized food poisoning or epidemic occurs. But public health services affect us every day—providing pure water, uncontaminated foods, sanitary sewage disposal, and preventing illnesses. Epidemics, Wars, and The Great Depression: Early Public Health in a Rural State traces the advancement of public health in a large, rough-and-ready rural state that resents outside intervention from its early existence as territorial land through World II. The evolution of public health in Idaho reflects the ongoing push of political reality against the pull of public need. While Idaho’s conservative political stance rejected accepting federal assistance, it was federal assistance that did, and still does, make addressing public health needs possible.

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Testimonials

“Painstaking research combined with lively and revealing anecdotes of the experiences of citizens and the impact of public health efforts on their lives makes for delightful reading for anyone seeking to understand the early days of public health efforts in the western U.S. This important book fills a gap in knowledge about the major challenges and successes of public health in the western U.S., including Idaho, as it was settled and developed.”

—Christine Hahn, MD

“Franks takes us on a journey that discloses challenges, successes and major failures when public health approaches to epidemics are disjointed, siloed, or simply ineffective. Although this historical study primarily takes place in Idaho, this is an American story. Franks has captured the essence of how a coordinated, evidence-based, and well-funded public health approach can keep this vital prevention arm from becoming invisible.”

—Barbara DeBaun, MSN, RN, CIC

“Epidemics, Wars, and the Great Depression: Early Public Health in a Rural State is meticulously researched and provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of public health in Idaho from 1863 to 1945. Dr. Floerchinger-Franks weaves anecdotes into the factual account which provide the human connection and keep the reader engaged. The chapters are anchored on significant national and world events that also have a profound effect on Idahoans and shape the public health approaches in the state. The last chapter provides a sobering look at the lessons we can learn from the past…and the realities public health officials face every day.”

—Susanne Hildebrand-Zanki, MS, MBA

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About the Author

Ginger Floerchinger-Franks, DrPH, spent most of her career working in public health—first as a microbiologist and, after returning to school for a doctorate in public health, managing award-winning statewide unintentional and intentional injury prevention programs. She managed the development of Idaho’s first statewide suicide prevention plan and the Fit and Fall Proof senior fall prevention program. She established and directed Idaho’s statewide trauma registry and worked with hospitals on tracking and reporting hospital-acquired infections. Additionally, she has taught health behavior change theory at Idaho State University and Boise State University.