Greene County Public Health Celebrates National Public Health Week 2022
During the first full week of April each year, the American Public Health Association (APHA) brings together communities across the United States to observe National Public Health Week (NPHW) as a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation's health. No matter where you are, APHA invites you to join us as we celebrate National Public Health Week!
This year’s theme, Public Health Is Where You Are, celebrates what we know is true: The places where we are, physically, mentally, and societally, affect our health and our lives. As we celebrate the 27th NPHW, April 4-10, we want everyone to know they can make their communities healthier and safer for all. And as we move slowly back toward gathering in person, we’re focusing not just on what we can do as individuals, but what we can do as communities to protect and prioritize the health of the public.
This NPHW, we’re looking at the intersections of our lives that affect our health and well-being. And we’re encouraging everyone — public health professionals, students, elected leaders, and the public — to step in and do what they can to make our world a more equitable, safe, healthy and just place.
This year’s daily themes from APHA include:
MONDAY: RACISM – A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS Racist inequities in health care, income, housing, education have widened during the COVID-19 pandemic, harming health and well-being. We must address the public health crisis of racism and advance racial equity to improve health.
TUESDAY: PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE – ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUTURE The public health workforce is essential to our future. Let’s support these professionals and strengthen the public health authority for better health outcomes in all of our communities, now and in the future.
WEDNESDAY: COMMUNITY – COLLABORATION AND RESILIENCE We must work together to improve housing, education, food, transportation, and the environment to support equity, resilience and the health of our communities and the people who live, work, play and learn there.
THURSDAY: WORLD HEALTH DAY – HEALTH IS A HUMAN RIGHT Celebrate World Health Day this National Public Health Week by supporting continued funding for U.S. global health efforts. We are all connected, as the COVID-19 pandemic has shown. Let’s work together to make the world a safer place for everyone.
FRIDAY: ACCESSIBILITY – CLOSING THE HEALTH EQUITY GAP We can close the health equity gap by reducing health disparities in health insurance, increasing physical accessibility to care, improving availability of appropriate care and building more inclusive public health programs and communities.
SATURDAY: CLIMATE CHANGE – TAKING ACTION FOR EQUITY While climate change hurts everyone, people of color and those with lower incomes experience greater health harms. APHA is at the forefront, calling for equity and investment in local solutions that meet community needs.
SUNDAY: MENTAL WELLNESS – REDEFINING THE MEANING OF HEALTH Each year, one in five Americans will experience mental illness. Mental health is public health. Prevention, early detection, and treatment of mental health conditions can lead to improved physical and community health.
PLEASE NOTE: On Thursday, April 7, 2022, the main office of Greene County Public Health located at 360 Wilson Drive in Xenia will be CLOSED from 8:00am-10:30am for the Board of Health to honor and recognize its employees in a special, private event. The office will reopen at 10:30am for regular business.
To learn more about National Public Health Week, visit www.nphw.org. For more information about local public health efforts, check out our website at www.gcph.info and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for daily updates and information.
