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Kane Co. Health Dept. celebrates National Public Health Week

During the first full week of April each year, the Kane County Health Department celebrates National Public Health Week.

Presented by the American Public Health Association, the goal is to bring together communities across the United States to observe the week as a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation.

For over 20 years, the association has served as the organizer of National Public Health Week.

Every year, the association develops a national campaign to educate the public, policymakers and practitioners about issues related to each year's theme.

The association champions the health of all people and all communities, while working to strengthen the public health profession. Together, they are creating the healthiest nation in one generation. This year's theme features eight "Facts for the Week" with the goal of "Creating the Healthiest Nation."

• Build a nation of safe, healthy communities: Health must be a priority in designing our communities, from healthy housing to parks and playgrounds.

• Help all young people graduate from high school: Education is the leading indicator of good health, giving people access to better jobs, incomes and neighborhoods.

• The relationship between increased economic mobility and better health: It's time to fix our country's growing income inequality and the unhealthy stresses it puts on adults and children.

• Social justice & health: Everyone has the right to good health. We must remove barriers so everyone has the same opportunity to improve their lives and their health.

• Give everyone a choice of healthy food: Our food system should provide affordable food with nutritious ingredients, free from harmful contaminants.

• Preparing for the health effects of climate change: Our health is connected to our environments. What happens upstream to our environments at work, school and home affects our health downstream.

• Provide quality health care for everyone: Health reform was just a start. To fulfill its potential, we must continue to pursue options for expanded access to quality care at the federal, state and local levels.

• Strengthen the public health infrastructure: Strong and consistent funding levels are necessary for the public health system to respond to both everyday health threats and unexpected health emergencies.

To read more about the eight "Facts for the Week," visit www.nphw.org.

According to the APHA, studies show that even wealthy, highly educated Americans with access to quality care suffer a health disadvantage to peers in other high-income countries. Watch this video "Generation Public Health" to learn more.

They will be highlighting these themes throughout the week, so be sure to follow the Kane County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter.

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