April Public Health

April 6-12 Public Health Week:

Everyone deserves to live a long and healthy life in a safe environment. Public Health Week addresses the causes of poor health and disease risk among individuals and within communities. Where we live, learn, work, worship and play effects each of us and can determine our health and life expectancy. Working together, we can build healthier communities and eventually, the healthiest nation.

During each day of National Public Health Week, the focus is on a particular public health topic. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, public health is the topic of the day worldwide and applies to the National Public Health Week daily themes in the following ways:

MONDAY: MENTAL HEALTH —emotional well-being

COVID-19 is causing heightened levels of stress. Isolation, quarantine and separation from loved ones all can be highly stressful. at this time, many in the public health care sectors are shouldering a significant mental health burden.

Reach out and check on your loved ones and community members. Read and share such resources as the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) Mental Health Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) tips on managing anxiety and stress.

TUESDAY: MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH —health of mothers and babies

Research to date finds pregnant women and young children do not seem to be more susceptible to COVID-19. Still, pregnant women and children are considered “at-risk populations” and need special support during the pandemic.

WEDNESDAY: VIOLENCE PREVENTION — reduce personal and community violence

Increased stress can lead to increased aggression, feeding a cycle of violence especially in communities already under strain. Much of the stress people are feeling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is linked to fear fed by misinformation. Help counteract the “infodemic” of bad and troubling information by sharing WHO’s mythbusters and resources on APHA’s COVID-19 page and Get Ready site.

THURSDAY: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH —protect and maintain a healthy planet

Changes in lifestyle patterns can have unexpected consequences on our environment. Advocate for increased funding to improve our infrastructures and to support public health workers in monitoring, preparing for and responding to the health effects of climate change.

FRIDAY: EDUCATION —quality education and schools

As with any illness, reliance on science-based information and response is key. Schools at all levels are now using distance learning, heightening the need for access to technology and high-speed internet. If you have found yourself suddenly at home with your school-aged children, the CDC has advice on how to talk to them about COVID-19.

SATURDAY: HEALTHY HOMES —affordable and safe housing

During the COVID-19 quarantine, people are spending even more time in their homes than usual. Although the CDC’s Protect Your Home page was designed to help people prepare their homes for an outbreak, it is useful even in the midst of the pandemic.

SUNDAY: ECONOMICS —economic empowerment is the key to a healthy life

One of the most dramatic reactions to COVID-19 has been the revelation that many industries and their employees will suffer a significant financial hardship. The burden of being out of work and (potentially) hospitalized for an extended period of time can have disastrous impacts on financial health. Urge your members of Congress to prioritize public health infrastructure in any future legislation to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

April Public Health