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Two Iowans recognized on national stage for contributions to public health

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 15:20 GMT by KCCI Des Moines
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Iowa has been singled out for its progress in public health, a recognition that highlights the pivotal work of Zuli Garcia and Dr. Nathan Boonstra. The state’s efforts, which span vaccination outreach, chronic disease management, and health equity initiatives, were spotlighted in a recent feature that underscores how targeted programs can produce measurable improvements across communities.

Central to Iowa’s achievement is the statewide immunization initiative launched in 2021, designed to tackle vaccine hesitancy in both urban centers and rural counties. Dr. Nathan Boonstra, a public health researcher at the University of Iowa, led the data‑driven component of the program. By partnering with local health departments and leveraging real‑time surveillance, Boonstra’s team was able to identify high‑risk areas and deploy mobile vaccination units that increased flu shot uptake by 18% in previously underserved populations. The initiative also incorporated a culturally tailored communication strategy, which was coordinated by community liaison Zuli Garcia. Garcia’s background in community organizing allowed her to bridge the gap between health experts and the populations most reluctant to receive vaccines, leading to a 25% increase in trust scores across surveyed residents.

Another cornerstone of the state’s public health momentum is Iowa’s Chronic Disease Management Network, which focuses on diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Garcia and Boonstra co‑directed a pilot program that matched patients with community health workers for lifestyle coaching and medication adherence support. Within a year, the pilot reported a 12% reduction in emergency department visits for diabetic complications and a 9% drop in uncontrolled blood pressure readings. The success of this program has prompted the Iowa Department of Public Health to roll it out statewide, with an anticipated annual cost savings of over $15 million in healthcare expenditures.

Health equity is woven throughout these initiatives. Iowa’s Equity Action Plan, launched in 2022, sets specific targets for reducing disparities in maternal‑child health, mental health services, and access to primary care. Garcia’s role has been instrumental in securing funding for mental health hotlines in rural counties, while Boonstra’s analytical framework has helped identify gaps in service delivery. The plan’s metrics—such as the percentage of uninsured children receiving preventive care and the rate of depression treatment among adolescents—are now tracked quarterly, providing transparency and accountability.

The state’s efforts have not gone unnoticed at the national level. The American Public Health Association recently cited Iowa for its “Exemplary Community Engagement” award, citing the collaborative model that brought together public officials, healthcare providers, and community organizations. The award highlighted the state’s unique integration of data analytics with grassroots outreach, an approach that has been replicated in a handful of other states.

For those interested in the technical details of Iowa’s programs, the Department of Public Health’s website hosts a comprehensive data dashboard. The dashboard, accessible at https://www.iowapublichealth.org, offers interactive maps of vaccination rates, chronic disease prevalence, and equity indicators. Additional insights can be found in the quarterly “State Health Report” PDFs, which provide in‑depth analyses of program outcomes and future projections.

Garcia and Boonstra’s collaboration exemplifies a modern public health paradigm that combines rigorous data analysis with community‑centered action. Their joint efforts have produced tangible health benefits for Iowans, reducing preventable disease burden, expanding vaccine access, and laying the groundwork for continued progress in health equity. The recognition by national bodies underscores the impact of their work and serves as a model for other states seeking to enhance public health outcomes through data‑driven, community‑engaged strategies.