Public health care workers honored for efforts in McHenry County

On the Monday before Thanksgiving, McHenry County Department of Health joins Research!America and leading U.S. public health organizations to recognize public health professionals who work 24/7 to protect the health of all Americans.

“Public Health Thank You Day” honors all those who protect the nation’s health throughout the year include our health inspectors, case workers, nurses, Animal Control Officers and support staff. At the local level, these professionals keep our drinking water safe, track and investigate infections and protect us against imminent threats to our health such as influenza, the recent whooping cough outbreak and natural disasters such as the floods last April.

In a statement to mark “Public Health Thank You Day,” Dr. Tom Frieden, MPH, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated, “Professionals throughout the public health system work 24/7 to protect Americans from health threats. The recent federal shutdown was a stark reminder of how much we rely on these professionals day in and day out to detect outbreaks, respond to health emergencies, and promote health every day. Their dedication reflects their scientific ethic as well as their continuing commitment to serving the public.”

At the national level, the CDC, along with local and state health departments, also protect Americans through health surveillance, front-line disease detection, research to enhance prevention, implementation of prevention strategies, promotions of healthy behavior and much more.

Research!America is the nation’s largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, it is supported by member organizations that represent more than 125 million Americans. For more information, visit www.researchamerica.org.