FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Megan Lowry, 202-777-3913
Communities to celebrate public health accomplishments, take action on public health priorities nationwide
Washington, D.C., April 1, 2019 – Today the American Public Health Association and hundreds of partners across the country kicked off National Public Health Week, April 1-7, to celebrate and advocate for public health. Hundreds of events, conversations and activities planned for the week in every state will encourage and support communities to take action on public health priorities.
This year’s theme, “Creating the Healthiest Nation 2030: For science. For action. For health.,” will rally APHA members and communities around the core values of public health, encouraging them to discuss evidence and action that can improve health for all Americans.
“I’m excited this week to highlight the inspiring work of public health efforts in every community across the country,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, executive director of APHA. “National Public Health Week is a chance to step back and appreciate public health accomplishments, promote the importance of our work and share knowledge between communities. This year’s theme perfectly describes our field’s commitment to creating the healthiest nation.”
In addition to National Public Health Week events hosted by partners, APHA will host the National Public Health Week Forum today from 1-3 p.m. ET in Washington, D.C. Noted reproductive justice expert and advocate Joia Crear-Perry, MD, FACOG, will deliver the keynote address, and a panel discussion focused on grassroots public health efforts will follow. The event will be livestreamed and is open to the public.
APHA will also host a National Public Health Week Twitter Chat on Wednesday, April 3, 2-3 p.m. ET. The chat will spark discussion on public health priorities ranging from students to research, evidence, climate change and more. APHA’s Twitter accounts will be joined by federal agencies, leading nonprofits and APHA members, Affiliates and Sections. Participants can follow the chat at #NPHWChat.
APHA’s Billion Steps Challenge, a national walking and moving competition that concludes during National Public Health Week, reached its goal of 1 billion steps in March with weeks to spare. Hundreds of teams continue to track their steps from January through April 7, inspiring communities across the country to encourage walking, rolling and moving.
Each day during National Public Health Week will focus on a different daily theme, starting with healthy communities on Monday and ending with global health on Saturday and Sunday. Public health experts will discuss the themes in detail on APHA’s Public Health Newswire throughout the week.
To learn more about National Public Health Week events happening in your area, visit our calendar.
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APHA champions the health of all people and all communities. We strengthen the public health profession. We speak out for public health issues and policies backed by science. We are the only organization that combines a nearly 150-year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public's health. Visit us at www.apha.org.