During the first full week of April each year, the American Public Health Association urges communities across the United States to observe National Public Health Week to recognize the contributions our public health organizations have made, and to highlight issues that are still important to improve the health of our nation.
For nearly 20 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.
This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will join in the promotion of NPHW daily themes to support their goal to make the United States the healthiest nation in one generation by 2030.
Here are the daily NPHW themes summarized:
Monday, April 6: Raising the Grade
“The U.S. doesn’t have the top health care system – we have a great ‘sick care” system,’” the National Public Health Week website states.
Although we have top-notch doctors and technologically advanced hospitals, studies show that we trail other countries in life expectancy and other measures of good health.
This is true despite the fact that we spend twice as much as many other countries do for health care.
To kick off NPHW 2015, the public health community will come together to talk frankly about what the data reveals concerning America’s public health.
Tuesday, April 7: Starting from Zip
Where you live, specifically your ZIP code, has been found to influence the level of health your community has. These differences are unacceptable.
During the second day of NPHW 2015, the public health community will focus on these regional disparities. Discussions about how the Affordable Care Act can equalize people’s access to care, and planning in regards to what other things are needed to achieve health equity, will be shared.
Wednesday, April 8: Building Momentum
Major companies, such as CVS, who stopped selling tobacco in their stores, and influential leaders such as Michelle Obama, who promoted the Let’s Move! Campaign, are working to help create a healthier nation.
On the third day of NPHW 2015, the public health community will review these and other major recent changes that have occurred, and discuss how to expand these significant events.
Thursday, April 9: Building Broader Connections
In order to become the healthiest nation, we need to collaborate with others. This means uniting city planners, education officials, along with public, private and for-profit organizations — everyone who has an impact on our health.
The fourth day of NPHW 2015 will focus on locating all the partners needed to make the United States the Healthiest Nation in One Generation by 2030.
Friday, April 10: Building on 20 Years of Success
In the last 20 years, we have made great strides in the areas of mother and infant health, immunizations, motor vehicle safety, family planning, reduction in tobacco use, and decline in deaths from heart attack and stroke.
During the fifth day of NPHW 2015, the public health community will gather together to celebrate these and other accomplishments and focus on what it will take to become the Healthiest Nation in One Generation.
And here is something you can do right now.
Sign the pledge to help build a healthier nation here .
Sign the petition asking our political leaders to address factors that affect our nation’s health here .
Sources:
National Public Health Week. The American Public Health Association. Retrieved April 4, 2015. http://www.nphw.org and http://www.nphw.org/tools-and-tips/themes
Michele is an R.N. freelance writer with a special interest in woman’s healthcare and quality of