Author: Aimee Gogan, Health Professionals and Evaluation Coordinator, NNLM SEA
For over twenty years, the American Public Health Association has organized National Public Health Week during the first full week of April. National Public Health Week is observed throughout the United States and aims to highlight pressing national health issues and honor important contributions to the field of public health. This year’s theme, “Changing Our Future Together,” emphasizes the power of partnerships in creating change and improving the health of our communities. Each day of National Public Health Week focuses on one critical public health topic. The links below provide a framework for each topic area, including a summary of the issue, educational resources for health professionals, and how to be an advocate in your community:
- Monday, April 2: Behavioral Health – Advocate for and promote well-being
- Tuesday, April 3: Communicable Diseases – Learn about ways to prevent disease transmission
- Wednesday, April 4: Environmental Health – Help protect and maintain a healthy planet
- Thursday, April 5: Injury and Violence Prevention – Learn about the health effects of injury and violence
- Friday, April 6: Ensuring the Right to Health – Advocate for everyone’s right to a healthy life
Ways to participate in National Public Health Week:
- Attend a National Public Health Week event in your area
- Become a National Public Health Week partner and host an activity in your community
- Join the National Public Health Week twitter chat on Wednesday, April 4 from 2PM-3PM EST
- Sign the Generation Public Health pledge and join the movement to eliminate health disparities
Thinking about hosting your own event next year? The next National Public Health Week runs from April 1-7, 2019!