FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations
Statement from APHA Executive Director George C. Benjamin, MD
The American Public Health Association celebrates Public Health Thank You Day today with appreciation to the thousands of professionals who work tirelessly on our behalf.
Improving the public’s health is not an impossible quest. It requires a 24 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week commitment to safer, healthier and stronger communities. It is about people who devote their knowledge, time and talent to health promotion, disease prevention and ensuring access to care. They do this with the goal of achieving health equity and the best possible health for all. To the public health workforce: thank you not only for what you do, but for the passion, empathy and inclusiveness you bring to this effort, especially during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
APHA stands with Research!America and other organizations this Monday before Thanksgiving to take time to salute the public health professionals who impact our lives in countless ways, from treating and preventing disease outbreaks to preparing us for natural disasters, to ensuring everyone has access to quality, affordable care.
Day after day, year after year, public health professionals are going above and beyond to keep our communities safe, protecting us from disease, injury and other health threats. In 2020, the year of COVID-19, the most dangerous pandemic in a century, their work resonates each day, and many of these heroes have sacrificed their own lives.
To the public health workforce, thank you not only for what you do, but for the passion, empathy and inclusiveness you bring to this effort, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We thank you for your extraordinary commitment.
Somehow, it doesn’t seem like enough, because mere words can only reflect what’s in our hearts. So, let’s shout it out again: Thank you, public health!
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The American Public Health Association champions the health of all people and all communities. 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. Learn more at www.apha.org.