National Public Health Week to focus on 'Creating the Healthiest Nation'
On April 2-8, the Kane County Health Department will celebrate 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, association has served as the organizer. Where you live, work, worship and play impacts everyone and can determine your health and how long you live.
The American Public Health Association champions the health of all people and all communities, while working to strengthen the public health profession. Together, we are creating the healthiest nation in one generation. This year's theme is "Changing Our Future Together" with the goal of "Creating the Healthiest Nation."
Each day of National Public Health Week 2018 will focus on a different public health topic that's critical to creating the healthiest nation:
• Monday: "Behavioral Health: Advocate For and Promote Well-being." Focus on and advocate for improved access to mental and behavioral health services. Use education and training to de-stigmatize mental health diagnoses and encourage people experiencing mental illness to seek treatment. Coverage for mental health services must be on par with physical health services in all health insurance coverage.
• Tuesday: "Communicable Diseases: Learn About Ways to Prevent Disease Transmission." Wash your hands. Know your HIV status. Call on employers to support and provide sick leave so sick workers can care for themselves and avoid spreading disease to others. Support comprehensive sexual health education in schools, which can reduce rates of sexually transmitted disease (as well as teen pregnancy). Keep yourself and your families immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases - and get your flu shot!
• Wednesday: "Environmental Health: Help to Protect and Maintain a Healthy Planet." Reduce our collective carbon emissions footprint. Transition to renewable energies. Protect our natural resources and use evidence-based policy to protect our air, water and food. Support environmental health efforts that monitor our communities for risks and develop health-promoting interventions. Call for transportation planning that promotes walking, biking and public transit - it not only reduces climate-related emissions, but helps us all stay physically active.
• Thursday: "Injury and Violence Prevention: Learn About the Effects of Injury and Violence on Health": Increase funding to programs that reduce and prevent community violence. Advocate for occupational health and safety standards that keep workers safe on the job. Support policies that save those struggling with addiction from a fatal drug overdose. Many injuries are preventable with the appropriate education, policy and safety measures.
• Friday: "Ensuring the Right to Health: Advocate for Everyone's Right to a Healthy Life": Everyone deserves an opportunity to live a life free from preventable disease and disability. The places where we live, learn, work, worship and play should promote our health, not threaten it. That's why creating the healthiest nation requires a dogged focus on achieving health equity for all.
Join the Kane County Health Department in observing National Public Health Week 2018 and become part of a growing movement to create the healthiest nation in one generation. During the week, they will celebrate the power of prevention, advocate for healthy and fair policies, share strategies for successful partnerships, and champion the role of a strong public health system.
More information on National Public Health Week is available at www.nphw.org.