News & Statutes
Keeping the public, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders informed is crucial to promoting transparency and facilitating effective communication. On this page, you will find up-to-date news articles, press releases, and announcements covering a wide range of topics, including disease outbreaks, public health campaigns, vaccination updates, and more.
Latest News and Updates
dohmedia@state.sd.us
Tia Kafka serves as the Marketing & Outreach Director for the Department of Health. She oversees the Office of Communication and Marketing and manages the department's media, communications, and marketing initiatives. Tia is a skilled and trained communications professional with over a decade of serving in various capacities within the state government and the private sector. Before transitioning to the Department of Health, Tia worked for the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce as the Convention and Visitors Bureau Director and the Chamber CEO. She specializes in communication strategies including marketing, fundraising, event planning, customer services, public awareness, media relations, and education tactics.
Tia graduated from Minnesota State University, Moorhead in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with an emphasis on public relations and advertising. She and her husband moved to Pierre in 2011. Joe and Tia have two boys, Gavin and Aiden. Outside of work, Tia enjoys spending time with her family fishing, camping, and hiking outdoors. She also enjoys reading, dancing, watching movies, and snuggling with her kiddos and fur babies.
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The South Dakota Department of Health Strategic Plan includes efforts aimed at keeping South Dakotans healthy and strong, providing them with up-to-date health-related information.
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News
South Dakota Department of Health Expands All Women Count! Eligibility
The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) is expanding eligibility for the All Women Count! (AWC!) Program by lowering the minimum age from 30 to 21, allowing more South Dakota women to access breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services. The expanded eligibility will take effect Sept. 1, 2026.
Gov. Rhoden Awards Rural Health Transformation Technology and Data Grants
Governor Rhoden awarded 82 grants to accelerate digital health modernization, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance interoperability across rural and underserved communities. These grants represent $90 million in technology and data modernization funding statewide from the federal Rural Health Transformation initiative.
Trump Administration Announces $90 million to Modernize and Improve IT and Interoperability for South Dakota
The Trump Administration announced a $90 million investment is being delivered to South Dakota through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to accelerate digital health modernization, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance interoperability across rural and underserved communities. This investment will strengthen South Dakota’s health workforce, improve infrastructure, advance technology, and support innovative approaches tailored to the unique healthcare needs across the state.
Gov. Rhoden Awards Rural Health Transformation Project Grants
Governor Larry Rhoden awarded 28 Rural Strong grants totaling $31.5 million as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program. These grants will strengthen access, quality, and long-term sustainability of rural healthcare across the state.
WIC Program Announces New Income Guidelines Starting July 1, 2026
The Department of Health has released new income guidelines for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program effective July 1, 2026.
Brown County Mosquito Pool First West Nile Detection of Season 2026
The South Dakota Department of Health has confirmed the first West Nile virus (WNV) mosquito pools of the season have been detected in Brown County.