April 5-11, 2021, is National Public Health Week

National Public Health Week, April 5-11, 2021
Building Bridges to Better Health

April 5-11, 2021, is NationalPublic Health Week. The 2021 theme is “Building Bridges to Better Health.” 

What is included in public health? It is all efforts to promote health, prevent disease and encourage healthy behaviors. It can occur at national, state, and local levels.

You probably think of antismoking advertisements and other campaigns to increase awareness of health issues and wellness strategies. You may realize that fluoride in public drinking water is a public health effort. Presently, public health efforts include widespread vaccination programs.

Public health also promotes advocacy and action for health-related social justice. Making communities safe and healthy for all community members is public health’s top priority.

Although the most obvious and historically prevalent arenas for public health involve physical health, mental health is now understood to be equally important. Please mark your calendar to attend Virtual Ability’s Mental Health Symposium in Second Life, or watch the sessions live on Virtual Ability’s YouTube channel. The Symposium takes place on Friday, April 16, between 7am and 3:30 pm, Pacific Time.

A recent public opinion survey showed that almost three-quarters of Americans agree that “The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that major changes are needed to our public health systems.” What can be done by our nations, states, communities, and ourselves as individuals to improve public health? Where is public health headed?

Stay safe and stay healthy!

National Public Health Week
An initiative of the American Public Health Association