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 as a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight
issues that are important to improving our nation. Did you know Americans are living 20 years longer than their
grandparents’ generation, thanks largely to the work of public health? Still,
people in many other high income countries live longer and suffer fewer health
issues than we do. This is the defining challenge of our generation – a
challenge that we, the public health community, are uniquely positioned to help
overcome. That’s why, National Public Health Week 2016, is rallying around a goal of making the U.S. the Healthiest Nation
in One Generation — by 2030. This week highlights the changes
that must be made within our health system to realize this goal. Changing our health means ensuring conditions that
give everyone the opportunity to be healthy.
Health must be a priority in designing our communities, from healthy housing to parks and playgrounds. Walking and biking must coexist with cars and public transportation. We need lower levels of violence and crime so everyone can safely live, work, learn and play. Support farmers markets and local businesses that value health, such as retailers that don't sell tobacco.
Education is the leading indicator of good health, giving
people access to better jobs, incomes and neighborhoods. Call for policies that
start with early school success and lead to higher on-time high school
graduation rates. Be a champion for school-based health centers in your local
schools. Become a mentor — you can make a difference!
The science is clear: Poverty and poor health go hand-in-hand.
It’s time to fix our country’s growing income inequality and the unhealthy
stresses it puts on adults and children. Support policies that ensure a living
wage and remove barriers that make it harder to advance to higher incomes.
Everyone has the right to good health.
We must remove barriers so everyone has the same opportunity to improve their
lives and their health. Speak out against racism and an unequal criminal
justice system. Demand a fair allocation of community resources. Fight against
the trend of growing voter restrictions. Everyone needs a voice in improving
our communities.
Our food system should provide
affordable food with nutritious ingredients, free from harmful contaminants.
For many families, eating healthy is a daily challenge. Call for policies that
help eliminate food deserts and bring healthy food to all neighborhoods and
schools. Support measures like menu labeling that help people make healthier
choices. Start a community garden. Volunteer for a local food bank!
Our health
is connected to our environments. What happens upstream to our environments at
work, school and home affects our health downstream. Support policies that
protect the air we breathe indoors and outdoors and the clean water we drink as
well as those that help protect our health from natural and manmade weather
events and disasters.
Health
reform was just a start. To fulfill its potential, we must continue to pursue
options for expanded access to quality care at the federal, state and local
levels. But we also need to shift the main focus of our health system from one
that treats illness to one that equally emphasizes prevention.
Strong and consistent funding levels are necessary for the
public health system to respond to both everyday health threats and also
unexpected health emergencies. Support more funding for key public health
agencies like the CDC and HRSA. These agencies strengthen the public health
workforce and are a major source of funding for state and local programs.
No comments:
Post a Comment