Celebrate National Public Health Week — April 3-9, 2017 — by learning more about JCPH

From immunizations to restaurant inspections, from early childhood health to emergency preparedness, the programs at Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) affect our communities each day.

That’s why we celebrated National Public Health Week from April 3-9, 2017. It’s a chance to tell you about all the ways we can serve you and your family, and an opportunity to make a difference.

The theme for 2017 National Public Health Week is “Healthiest Nation 2030,” and is based around The American Public Health Association’s (APHA) goal to cultivate the healthiest nation in the world in just one generation. Jefferson County Public Health is joining the APHA in this goal by advocating for healthy and equitable policies, the power of prevention, successful community partnerships and the importance of a strong public health system.

Each day this week, JCPH we shared videos on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channel to highlight some of the programs and people that work to keep our communities healthy and safe. We encourage all members of the community to celebrate National Public Health Week by engaging with us on social media and sharing the ways public health makes a difference in their lives using the hashtag #JCPH.

Here's the link to our YouTube channel where you can find our videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/JCDHE



Other ways to get involved any time of year:

• Join a local public health coalition. The Healthy Jeffco Network is a partnership of more than 400 community partners in seven coalitions who work to make the county a healthier place to live, learn, work and play. The coalitions include: Active Living, Food Policy, Jeffco Sips Smart, Health in Early Childhood, School Wellness, Preventive Care & Behavioral Health Resources and Jeffco Thrives. Visit Healthy Jeffco’s website to learn more about how to get involved.
• Attend a screening for The Raising of America. The Raising of America is a documentary that explores how a strong start for all children can lead to a healthier, more equitable America. Healthy Jeffco’s Health in Early Childhood Coalition will host a screening and community discussion about the film from 5-7 p.m. April 17, 2017 at the Golden Library. To RSVP or get more information, go to roa-golden.eventbrite.com.

• Sign the Healthy Beverage pledge. Did you know that one bottle of fruit punch has as much sugar as 10 chocolate chip cookies? Take a pledge to serve your family healthy beverages for 30 days and be entered to win a variety of prizes for the whole family.

• Get yourself, your family and your pets immunized! From infancy to adulthood, immunizations help prevent serious illness and even death. The Jefferson County Public Health clinic at 645 Parfet Street in Lakewood offers vaccines for the whole family. Remember to take care of furry family members, too — important vaccines, such as the rabies vaccine, are essential to maintaining health and safety for Fido. 

• Join a local prevention team. Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in Colorado. You can help prevent youth tobacco use and support smoke-free environments in your community by joining an action committee such as the Smoke-Free Places Action Committee or the Citizens for a Healthier Lakewood coalition. Learn more about these groups and more by visiting tobaccofreejeffco.com.

• Test the water and air around your home. Keeping your family as healthy as possible starts at home. You can create healthier environments by testing your home for radon gas, testing your well water for contaminants, and more. Learn more about air and water quality at http://jeffco.us/public-health/healthy-environments/.
• Visit us online at jeffco.us/public-health for more information about all our services.

Follow Jefferson County Public Health on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to see behind-the-scenes videos of our programs and keep up with the latest in public health. To learn more about National Public Health Week and ways you can get involved in making a healthier America, go to http://www.nphw.org/.

APHA Invites YOU to Help with the 1 Billion Steps Challenge

By April 9, the American Public Health Association (APHA) has a goal of taking 1 billion steps, and needs your help.

One of the easiest ways to improve your health is to walk — going for a 5-10 minute walk before breakfast, after dinner or up and down the hall while talking on the phone or during television commercials is a quick and easy way to get more exercise during the day.

Starting on Jan. 9, the APHA encouraged anyone interested to sync their step-counting device, such as a Fitbit or a smart phone, or to enter their steps manually on the National Public Health Week website. The challenge runs until April 9, the end of National Public Health Week. Walk on your own or with a team — just start walking!

Dr. Margaret Huffman, Director of Jefferson County Public Health's Community Health Services, along with some Public Health Nurses, have developed a team for the APHA Billion Steps Challenge. The team has a goal of walking 380 miles. They have also challenged the public health nurses from Wyoming, who have also created a team for the Billion Steps program.

Dr. Huffman is the current president of the Public Health Nurses Association of Colorado (PHNAC).

To learn more about the 1 Billion Steps Challenge, including how to register and get others involved, click here.  

Healthy Jeffco, a network of more than 300 community partners dedicated to furthering our community’s health, also has an Active Living coalition. To learn more or get involved, visit http://www.healthyjeffco.com/activeliving.

Health Starts Here . . . Public Health Week April 7-13, 2014

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. This year, the theme is, “Public Health: Start Here.”  Each day of the week highlights a different aspect of public health and portrays just how important public health programs and services are in creating healthier communities.

 Daily Themes

·         Monday, April 7- Be healthy from the start:
From maternal health, breastfeeding support, family nutrition to emergency preparedness, public health starts at home. Did you know that prenatal care helps keep mothers and their babies healthy. Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care. (Womenshealth.gov Prenatal Health Fact Sheet, http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/prenatal-care.html)

·         Tuesday, April 8: Don't panic:
Public health professionals help communities withstand the impact of a natural or man-made disaster by planning ahead, acting as a source of information during the crisis and helping to mitigate the long- and short-term effects.  The JCPH Emergency Preparedness Program is here to help you weather the unexpected.

·         Wednesday, April 9: Get out ahead:
Prevention is now a nationwide priority. Today, seven in 10 deaths in the U.S. are related to preventable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer.  A striking fact is that 75 percent of our health care dollars are spent treating such diseases, while only 3 percent of our health care dollars go toward prevention. (Public Health & Prevention Fund Fact Sheet, APHA, http://www.apha.org/advocacy/Health+Reform/PH+Fund/)
Consider that more than half of all cancer deaths could be prevented by making healthy choices such as not smoking, staying at a healthy weight, eating right, keeping active and getting recommended screening tests. (American Cancer Society- http://www.cancer.org/healthy/index)  View the JCPH 2013 health assessment and preliminary health improvement plan: http://healthypeoplehealthyplacesjeffco.com to learn more about JCPH and its many programs dedicated to prevention.

·         Thursday, April 10: Eat well.
The system that keeps our nation's food safe and healthy is complex. Public health is here to help you guide through the choices. The JCPH Food Safety Program helps to assure that foodborne illness stays off the menu at Jefferson County food service establishments. Other JCPH programs work to encourage healthier eating and active living. Did you know, that in total, we are now eating 31 percent more calories than we were 40 years ago — including 56 percent more fats and oils and 14 percent more sugars and sweeteners? The average American now eats 15 more pounds of sugar a year than in 1970. (Let’s Move, http://www.letsmove.gov/learn-facts/epidemic-childhood-obesity)

·         Friday, April 11: Be the healthiest nation in one generation.
For the first time in decades, the current generation isn’t as healthy as the one that came before.  It is time for communities to come together to take a stance against this disturbing trend to make sure that children and young adults have bright, healthy futures. Get involved in creating a healthier Jefferson County by learning more about what your city or community is doing to improve health for all. Consider attending city council meetings and other opportunities for your voice to be heard.  The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County provides useful links to government information and web sites as a public service to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government.