Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) have introduced resolutions in Congress to recognize this week, April 6th through 12th, as National Public Health Week.

Since 1995, public health organizations have used National Public Health Week to educate the public, policymakers, and health professionals about issues that are important to improving America’s public health.  The theme for this year’s National Public Health Week is “Healthiest Nation 2030,” emphasizing a goal of making America the healthiest nation in one generation.  National Public Health Week is organized by the American Public Health Association (APHA).

“National Public Health Week offers a reminder to all of our nation’s families that the choices we make in our daily lives have a direct impact on how long and how well we live,” said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, the co-founder of the Congressional Study Group on Public Health, a member of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and a 2009 recipient of the APHA’s Distinguished Public Health Legislator of the Year Award.  “Our behavioral choices, our environment, and our social circumstances all have major impacts on our quality of life.  As we observe National Public Health Week, I urge everyone to learn more about the small, yet important, changes that we can make to limit our chances of developing chronic diseases.  We can resolve to eat better, exercise more, drink less alcohol, and stop smoking.  We can also push for increased public health spending, because we know that education and prevention spending can save lives.  Each and every one of us has an important role to play in building a healthier future for all Americans.”

“Supporting public health is one of the best ways to invest in our economy and the future of our families,” said Senator Udall.  “National Public Health Week recognizes that by promoting healthy living and focusing on disease prevention rather than treatment, we can save lives and money.  All of us can take steps to improve our health, from stopping smoking to eating well and exercising regularly.  Together, we can make the United States the healthiest nation in one generation.”

“We’re grateful to Rep. Roybal-Allard, Sen. Udall and the other cosponsors of the House and Senate National Public Health Week resolutions for showing their strong support for public health and recognizing our efforts to improve the health status of all Americans and create the healthiest nation in one generation,” said APHA Executive Director Georges C. Benjamin, MD.  “National Public Health Week brings together communities across the country to demonstrate the considerable impact public health programs and services have on protecting and improving our nation’s health and well-being.”

The House Resolution (H. Res. 187) reads: 
 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week.

Whereas the week of April 6, 2015, through April 12, 2015, is National Public Health Week;

Whereas the theme for National Public Health Week in 2015 is `Healthiest Nation 2030' with the goal of making the United States the healthiest nation in one generation;

Whereas public health organizations use National Public Health Week to educate the public, policymakers, and public health professionals about issues that are important to improving the health of the people of the United States;

Whereas the value of a strong public health system is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the places where we all live, learn, work, and play;

Whereas there is a 16 percent difference in the health status of people living in the healthiest States compared to people living in the least healthy States;

Whereas public health professionals help communities prevent, prepare for, withstand, and recover from the impact of a full range of health threats including disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and disasters caused by human activity;

Whereas public health professionals collaborate with partners that are not in the health sector, such as city planners, transportation officials, education officials, and private sector businesses, recognizing that other sectors have an important influence on health;

Whereas according to the Institute of Medicine, despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States ranks below many other economically prosperous and developing countries with respect to many indicators for healthy life, including life expectancy, infant mortality rates, low birth weight rates, and the rate of drug-related deaths;

Whereas studies show that small strategic investments in prevention can result in significant savings in health care costs;

Whereas each 10 percent increase in local public health spending contributes to a 6.9 percent decrease in infant deaths, a 3.2 percent decrease in cardiovascular deaths, a 1.4 percent decrease in deaths due to diabetes, and a 1.1 percent decrease in cancer-related deaths;

Whereas in communities across the country, more people are changing the way they care for their health by avoiding tobacco use, eating healthier, becoming more physically active, and preventing unintentional injuries at home and in the workplace;

Whereas despite having an infant mortality rate that is higher than any of its other 27 economically prosperous peer countries, the United States has begun to make progress with the infant mortality rate declining 12 percent from 2005 to 2011;

Whereas in 2013, the percentage of adults smoking in the United States decreased from 21.2 percent to 19.6 percent and the percentage of physically inactive adults in the United States decreased from 26.2 percent to 22.9 percent; and

Whereas efforts to adequately support public health and prevention can continue to transform a health system focused on treating illness to a health system focused on preventing disease and promoting wellness: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week;
(2) recognizes the efforts of public health professionals, the Federal Government, States, Tribes, municipalities, local communities, and individuals in preventing disease and injury;
(3) recognizes the role of public health in improving the health of people in the United States;
(4) encourages increased efforts and resources to improve the health of people in the United States to create the healthiest nation in one generation through--
     (A) greater opportunities to improve community health and prevent disease and injury; and
     (B) strengthening of the public health system of the United States; and
(5) encourages the people of the United States to learn about the role of the public health system in improving health in the United States.

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