National Public Health Week runs April 7-11

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  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 82nd Medical Group public health flight wants everyone to know National Public Health Week runs Apr. 7-11. In addition, they would like to provide helpful tips and information every day during the week to help build a healthier community. Each year, NPHW focuses on a different theme. This year's theme is "Public Health: Start Here."

For nearly two decades, public health professionals have united communities nationwide every first week of April to celebrate NPHW. While the theme may change from year to year, the core commitment to public health and prevention has remained unchanged.

In honor of NPHW, the 82nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron public health flight would like to highlight this year's theme with some select events.

Monday: Being healthy from the start- From maternal health and school nutrition to emergency preparedness, public health starts at home. Visit pediatrics, the Health and Wellness Center, or your primary care provider for more information.

Prenatal care can help keep mothers and their babies healthy. Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care. Breastfeeding is recommended for at least the first year of a child's life and exclusively for the first six months.

Globally, an estimated 43 million pre-school children were overweight or obese in 2010, a 60 percent increase since 1990. Children's early-life experiences, such as lack of breast feeding, too little sleep and overconsumption of television can increase the risk of obesity later on in life. That's why early child care providers have such a crucial role to play in turning around the obesity epidemic.

Tuesday: Don't panic- Disaster preparedness starts with community-wide commitment and action. Its primary purpose is to weather the unexpected. Public Health can help prepare an emergency bag or kit in case of any unexpected weather such as tornadoes or power outages.

Thousands of people are affected by severe weather threats every year such as tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Preliminary data for 2012 shows there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries.

Wednesday: Prioritize prevention- Prevention is now a nationwide priority. Contact a primary care provider to get regularly tested for HIV, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and cancer screenings.

Today, seven in 10 deaths in the U.S. are related to preventable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. Another striking fact is that 75 percent of our health care dollars are spent treating such diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, estimates that 1,144,500 people ages 13 and older are living with HIV infection, including 180,900, or 15.8 percent, who are unaware of their infection. Over the past decade, the number of people living with HIV has increased, while the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable.

Thursday: Eating well- The system that keeps our nation's food safe and healthy is complex. The HAWC offers courses like the Better Body Better Life to discuss healthy choices. Visit the dietitian for a personal meal plan.

The Affordable Care Act extends to food safety and information with new requirements for food labeling. Under the new law, restaurants are required to list the number of calories in each standard menu item, put the caloric content in context, have additional nutritional information be made available to consumers and have the number of calories per serving be visible on self-service foods.

Food borne contaminants cause an average of 5,000 deaths, 325,000 hospitalizations and 76 million illnesses, which cost billions of dollars annually. The five most common food borne pathogens cost the U.S. economy more than $44 billion each year in medical costs and lost productivity.

Friday: Be the healthiest nation in one generation- The best practices for community health come from around the globe. Stay active, eat healthy, stay current on vaccinations and be a role model for others.

By 2020, the direct benefits of the federal Clean Air Act will have reached almost $2 trillion, much more than the $65 billion it will have cost to implement the law. About 85 percent of the $2 trillion is attributable to decreases in premature death and illness related to air pollution.

For more information about NPHW, please visit: www.nphw.org or the 82nd MDG Facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/pages/AFMS-Sheppard-82d-Medical-Group/365721490202074