Illinois Health Dept Recognizes National Public Health Week

State Health Department Recognizes National Public Health Week April 2-8

“A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) joins communities nationwide recognizing National Public Health Week April 2-8, 2012, and raising awareness about the importance of prevention and wellness through this year’s theme, “A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement.”

“Everyone has a role to play in creating healthier communities and this year’s theme encourages all of us to start now in taking active, strategic steps to get healthy and stay healthy,” said IDPH Acting Director Dr. Arthur Kohrman. “Little steps can lead to big changes.”

The first full week of April has been observed as National Public Health Week (NPHW) since 1995 for communities nationwide to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving the public’s health.

With nearly 1 million Americans dying every year from diseases that could be prevented, National Public Health Week will highlight five daily themes:

Active Living and Healthy Eating: Promote healthy choices in your communities, such as bike lanes and farmer’s markets.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs: Identify alcohol and drug use disorders early to reduce high-risk alcohol and drug consumption.
Communicable Diseases: Encourage proper hand-washing and food preparation habits.
Reproductive and Sexual Health: Practice safe sex, encourage responsible contraception behavior and promote access to preventive health services.
Mental and Emotional Well-Being: Refer people with signs of depression and suicidal thinking to appropriate resources and help centers.

During National Public Health Week – which also intersects with National Minority Health Month observed every April – the IDPH Center for Minority Health Services is also hosting its first-ever Minority Health Conference April 4-5 in Naperville. The Minority Health Conference will examine health disparities impacting communities of color in Illinois and work on proactive, preventative solutions for better health outcomes.