During each day of National Public Health Week, we focus on a particular public health topic. Then, we identify ways each of us can make a difference on that topic. These areas are critical to our future success in creating the healthiest nation, and everyone can do their part to help.
National Public Health Week Topics
It Starts Here: Your Health is Our mission
Public health isn’t just for a single person—it’s for you, your friends, your family and everyone in your community. Public health affects how we all live, work, and play— it’s an invisible force that protects our safety and well-being.
Public health continues to prioritize health at every level, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Recent efforts have led to the eradication of various diseases in regions across the globe, the expansion of vaccination programs to protect children and older adults, and the securing of funding for foundational public health services to address urgent needs like reproductive care, behavioral health and climate resilience.
Climate Action Starts Here: Championing Resilience for Health
Climate change impacts both physical and mental health through rising temperatures, poor air quality, extreme weather events and disrupted ecosystems. These effects are felt most in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods, which have faced years of underinvestment and systemic inequities, making them more vulnerable to climate risks. However, there is hope and a clear path forward. By taking bold and equitable action, we can reduce the health effects of climate change and build stronger, healthier communities. Solutions include rapidly transitioning to clean energy, improving energy efficiency, and supporting sustainable food systems.
Health Equity Starts Here: Optimizing Health for All
Health equity is important because it means that all individuals have access to the resources and opportunities needed to achieve their full health potential, regardless of socioeconomic, racial, geographic, or disability-related disparities. By addressing the root causes of health inequities, such as discrimination,
unequal access to care and barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, communities can reduce preventable diseases and improve overall well-being. For example, the expansion of telehealth services has been a significant public health win, improving access to care for people with mobility or transportation
challenges and those in rural areas. Promoting health equity fosters healthier populations, reduces health care costs and builds more resilient societies.
Advocacy Starts Here: Amplifying Voices for Public Health
We’ve all been advocates in our own way. Whether it was asking for a raise, standing up for your child’s needs, or sharing your opinion, we have all used our voices to influence change. Public health advocacy is no different. It’s about using your voice to create a healthier world for everyone.
Advocates have helped create big changes in public health. Because of them, we now have laws that make us wear seatbelts in cars, vaccines that stop us from getting sick, food labels that tell us what we’re eating and rules that keep smoke out of public places. These wins show how using our voices can make life better
and safer for everyone.
Using an equity lens can transform public health advocacy. When we listen to people who face the biggest health challenges and work to fix the deeper problems that cause poor health – like racism and unequal access to care – we create solutions that help all communities thrive.
The Future of Public Health Starts Here: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce
A strong and resilient public health workforce is key to keeping communities healthy and addressing the nation’s most urgent health challenges. Public health professionals work hard to prevent disease, promote wellness and protect communities.
Investments in education and training can support the public health workforce. Efforts to build a workforce that includes people who are from all backgrounds and who have the skills to tackle health inequalities are helping improve access to health services, share important information, and build trust within communities. We must continue these efforts and more to ensure that public health systems are equipped to meet everyday health needs and respond to crises.
We Are All Public Health
Inspired by the 2024 Public Health Week theme; Connecting, Protecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health; here are several ways Department of Health staff contribute to public health and strive to improve health for all.
Fun and Games
Public Health Week Word Search
Download and print
Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt
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