Island County Board of Health Details 2025 Achievements and Priorities
The Island County Board of Health published a six page year in review on December 8, outlining major initiatives launched in 2025 and priorities for 2026. The report highlights new community planning efforts, expanded outreach services, and policy advocacy that affect access to housing, mental health care, and foundational public health services across the island.
Island County officials released a six page year in review on December 8 that summarizes Board of Health work in 2025 and sets priorities for 2026. The report emphasizes system level efforts to improve health equity and access, including the formal launch of the Community Health Improvement Plan in February 2025 and stronger integration of the Community Health Advisory Board as a channel for resident feedback.
Top items in the review reflect a blend of program expansion and policy advocacy. The board described work to advance Foundational Public Health Services, and identified improved access to mental health services as a central goal. The county also highlighted a newly deployed mobile outreach van intended to extend essential public health programs across the island, expanding reach to residents who face transportation barriers or limited local services.
A notable cross sector initiative in the report addresses housing and infrastructure, where the board said staff and partners are exploring innovative wastewater solutions aimed at supporting affordable and workforce housing development. These explorations are significant locally because constraints around septic and wastewater systems have long limited housing supply and affordable options in Island County. Progress on wastewater options could affect housing policy, developers, and families seeking affordable units.
The review frames these accomplishments as part of a broader drive to center resident voices and equity in public health planning. By formalizing Community Health Advisory Board engagement, the Board of Health aims to bring direct resident input into priorities and program design, which may influence where funds and services are targeted in 2026.
The county notice invites the public to review the full report on the Island County Public Health CivicAlerts page and to attend the next Board of Health session that is open to the public. The meeting offers an opportunity for community members to hear updates and to participate as the board finalizes priorities for the coming year. For Island County residents, the report signals a shift toward coordinated public health planning, targeted outreach, and policy work intended to reduce disparities and strengthen local health infrastructure.
