Date April 11, 2014                             

CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov

Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925

 National Public Health Week Recognizes Important Work Done by Local Health Departments

Goal is to Improve Health and Wellness of all Erie County Residents

ERIE COUNTY, NY—The Erie County Department of Health (“ECDOH”) is joining other public health agencies in observing National Public Health Week  from April 7 – 13, 2013 as a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation.

Each year, National Public Health Week helps to educate communities and raise awareness about the important preventive role that public health departments play in keeping residents healthier and more informed about public health issues. In addition, public health departments promote a health care system that values prevention as much as treatment. Public health professionals and organizations are the key to empowering people to participate in this exciting evolution of the public health system to improve the health and wellness of the whole community.

“Every year in the United States, seven out of 10 deaths are due to preventable chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Chronic diseases actually account for an astounding 75 percent of national health care costs.” said Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County Commissioner of Health. “Fortunately, we know that investments in prevention and public health can make an enormous difference. National Public Health Week helps educate and engage Americans in the movement to create a healthier America today and for generations to come.”

This year’s observation highlighted five themes:

• Be healthy from the start. From maternal health and school nutrition to emergency preparedness, public health starts at home.
• Don’t panic. Disaster preparedness starts with community-wide commitment and action.
• Get out ahead. Prevention is now a nationwide priority.
• Eat well. The system that keeps our nation’s food safe and healthy is complex.
• Be the healthiest nation in one generation. Best practices for community health come from around the globe.

Each of these themes can be tied to the varied and comprehensive programs and services provided the ECDOH. 

“We are fortunate to have a dedicated and experienced team of professionals at the ECDOH. They never lose sight of their goal to serve the citizens of Erie County and to help everyone live healthier lives” concluded Burstein.

For more information on these services, please visit our website at www.erie.gov/health.

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For more information:

Erie County Department of Health – http://www.erie.gov/health/

National Public Health Week -- http://www.nphw.org/

American Public Health Association -- http://apha.org/