Each year, during the first full week of April, National Public Health Week is celebrated across the United States. This is used as a time to recognize the contributions of public health, highlight important issues, and advocate for change.
The Medina County Health Department is excited to honor this year’s theme in conjunction with the American Public Health Association: Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving: We are All Public Health.
What is Public Health? Public health is all of us: families, neighborhoods, communities, public health professionals. We all are interconnected.
Simply put: public health improves our quality of life. The professionals working within this industry, often behind the scenes, work every day to make improvements for the residents of our communities to keep them safe and healthy.
Public health professionals prevent the spread of disease, promote healthy lifestyles and clean & safe environments, uncover the root cause of complex health problems, empower individuals to manage disabilities, and so much more.
This year, during each day of National Public Health Week 2024, we will focus on a particular public health topic. We will share what we have been working on and how we are continuously evolving to create safer communities and a healthier environment.
Daily Themes:
Monday, April 1- Civic Engagement
Tuesday, April 2- Healthy Neighborhoods
Wednesday, April 3- Environmental Health
Thursday, April 4- New Tools and Innovations
Friday, April 5- Reproductive and Sexual Health
Saturday, April 6- Emergency Preparedness
Sunday, April 7- Future of Public Health
You may be wondering, what do these themes mean? Let’s break it down.
Civic Engagement:
The actions that we take as a community to identify and address problems such as exercising our right to vote.
Healthy Neighborhoods:
Where we live can have a huge effect on our health. A healthy neighborhood is one with safe ways for everyone to be active and provides easy access to fresh, affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food.
Environmental Health:
Addresses factors in the natural and built environment that affect human health such as air quality, water quality, hazardous chemicals, and food safety.
New Tools and Innovations:
The way individuals and communities receive and respond to health information. This can be in the form of warning systems for natural disasters for example or wearable fitness bands.
Reproductive and Sexual Health:
Access to quality care and education for all ages. Reproductive health is focused on improving the overall health and well-being of women and men by promoting healthy lifestyles.
Emergency Preparedness:
Being ready for emergencies is crucial. This involves planning, having supplies on hand, and knowing how to stay safe before a crisis happens.
Future of Public Health:
The future of public health is about removing barriers and making sure every person has access to the support and care they need for a healthier life. Communities are at the heart of decision-making.
Join us in celebrating National Public Health Week by following us on social media: Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Be a part of the conversation.
For more information on the programs and services offered by the Medina County Health Department, call 330-723-9688 or visit our web page at www.medinahealth.org.
