This week, we're asking you to think about the health of all Americans. It's a time to recognize that everyone should lead healthier lives and that no one should be left out or excluded from these efforts.
It is National Public Health Week, a week to recognize the importance of health and wellness in our lives. The initiative focuses on issues such as obesity, mental illness, and substance abuse disorders, as well as tobacco use among teens and young adults. The goal is also to reduce racial disparities in access to healthcare services by working with community partners in order to promote health literacy among diverse populations at risk for poor health outcomes, including those who live in rural areas or urban centers where resources are limited or inaccessible.
The theme this year is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in health”. Feeling like we belong, being a part of our communities, and fostering cultural connections supports our health and the quality of our lives.
The American Public Health Association organized the first National Public Health Week. Since then, the initiative has received tremendous support from civil societies and administrations across the United States. The day recognizes the long history and achievements in public health. It also serves to highlight critical issues to help people lead healthier and happier lives.
During the first full week of April each year, APHA brings together communities across the United States to observe National Public Health Week as a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation's health. For over 25 years, APHA has served as the organizer of NPHW. Every year, the Association develops a national campaign to educate the public, policymakers, and practitioners about issues related to each year's theme. APHA creates new NPHW materials each year that can be used during and after NPHW to raise awareness about public health and prevention.
In attempting to reach these goals, National Public Health Week seeks to address the root causes of poor health, disease, and lifestyles. It starts with recognizing that healthcare is still a privilege many cannot afford. Where people are born, their neighborhoods, places of work, different lives, and backgrounds determine the quality of healthcare access.
A child who goes to school hungry will not be an engaged student. People working for minimum wages sacrifice health for the sake of income. It’s thousands of families who have no access to nutritious food in their communities. Or those without the means to travel to access quality healthcare, often located far away.
National Public Health Week is committed to making health inclusive and equitable. It hopes to foster decision-making that considers the health of all communities — irrespective of income, race, or gender. Each year, the first full week in April celebrates the power of the community in realizing this vision. The APHA usually announces different themes for each day of the week. From fitness challenges and discussions to sharing healthy recipes — it’s seven days of committing to health as a country.
Wednesday: Reproductive and Sexual Health
There are several ways to get involved in Public Health Week. You could start by browsing the National Public Health Week website for more on the initiative. The website lists numerous tips and resources on keeping healthy with communicable diseases, sexual health, and chronic diseases. Share these resources widely!
Whether you want to start by crushing a workout or eating healthy, this is a great week to be proactive about your health and stick with it. Whatever you do, remember to involve your friends, family, and the larger community. It’s also a week when we campaign for health policies that are fair, inclusive, and accessible to all communities in the United States.
Organize an event in the neighborhood to encourage physical activity. Think of fun workout challenges, step counting, or going for a run together. Anything to keep people moving!
What we feed our bodies is as important as exercise. Make nutritious meals for yourself and the family this week. Contrary to popular perception, healthy food can be tasty. All you need is commitment and some kitchen ingenuity.
Sources:
https://nationaltoday.com/national-public-health-week/