National Public Health Week April 6-8

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  • By Staff Reports
  • 82d AMDS Public Health flight
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Every year, during the first week of April, public health professionals around the country bring their communities together to celebrate National Public Health Week.

Each year has a different theme, and although the themes may change, the core commitment to public health and prevention remains consistent. National Public Health Week's theme for 2015 is "Healthiest Nation by 2030" or "The Healthiest Nation in One Generation."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of National Public Health Week. The accomplishments of the public health community over the last two decades are significant. In honor of this event, the 82d Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health flight would like to share the national focus of each day.

Monday: Raising the grade - We have great doctors, state-of-the-art hospitals and leaders in advanced procedures and pharmaceuticals. But, studies consistently show that despite spending twice as much, we trail other countries in life expectancy and almost all other measures of good health. This holds true across all ages and income levels. So what is missing?  We need a stronger public health system that supports healthy communities and moves us toward preventing illness, disease and injury.

Tuesday: Starting from zip - Within the United States, there are unacceptable disparities in health, state-by-state and even county-by-county. Believe it or not, your ZIP code can say a ton about your health. The effort to make the U.S. the Healthiest Nation in One Generation starts with ensuring equity across all communities and people.

Wednesday: Building momentum - Debates around the Affordable Care Act have brought added attention to prevention and public health. As a result, we're beginning to see a broad range of influential organizations taking important steps in line with creating the Healthiest Nation. Yet, as we celebrate the gains we've made, a key challenge will be to expand and build upon this momentum.

Thursday: Building broader communities - In the work to become the Healthiest Nation in One Generation, we can't do it all on our own. As public health professionals, we know it's not enough to ask people to make healthy choices when challenges such as poverty, poor education, housing and environmental factors have such a profound impact on health. The public health community must expand its partnerships to collaborate with city planners, education officials, public, private and for-profit organizations - everyone who impacts our health.

Friday: Building on 20 years of success - Celebrating accomplishments and talking about what it will take to become the Healthiest Nation in One Generation.

To become the Healthiest Nation in One Generation: experts need to support the integration of public health and primary care; policy decision makers need to understand and support funding for both a strong public health workforce and prevention programs proven to advance health; both national and local policy decision makers need to expand the consideration of health implications in all the policies they create; and the general public needs to make healthy choices for themselves and demand that everyone has an equal opportunity to make those same choices.

For more information contact the 82d AMDS Public Health flight at 676-1874/3052, for fun facts about each day, visit the National Public Health week website: http://www.nphw.org.