A Healthier America is Public Health Week Focus

            The Douglas County Health Department invites you to participate in National Public Health Week, April 2-8. This year’s theme of “A Healthier America Begins Today – Join the Movement” is a perfect fit for Douglas County.

            “We are encouraging everyone to join the movement and start live healthier lives during National Public Health Week,” said Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour. “If people become more active and eat better foods, Douglas County will become a healthier place to live.”

            The American Public Health Association has selected daily themes including:

• Monday - Active Living and Healthy Eating: Douglas County Putting Prevention to Work has taken the lead in providing healthier living options. For the first time Omaha has clearly marked bike lanes throughout the city and bicycle events are a near-weekly event. Farmers markets have become a familiar sight throughout the county, and eight smaller groceries have new life as Healthy Neighborhood Stores, making fresh fruits and vegetables available in areas that previously did not have those options.  

·         Wednesday - Communicable Diseases: In addition to encouraging good hygiene through hand washing and covering coughing, DCHD staff performed more than 3,000 food and drink inspections, conducted more than 1,400 swimming pool inspections, sampled water in more than 200 wells, provided more than 11,000 immunizations, investigated or responded to more than 300 rodent complaints, and investigated more than 4,700 communicable disease reports. 

• Thursday - Reproductive and Sexual Health: In leading the fight against the local STD epidemic, the Douglas County Health Department and its partners have formed a coalition that aims to test 1,000 people during April at 22 events in 17 days. Last year the DCHD received more than 15,000 STD reports. In addition, DCHD formed the Baby Blossoms Collaborative, mobilizing more than 30 partners who are working to improve birth outcomes and reduce infant mortality. 

            The focus, as always, is on prevention.

            “This year’s national theme is perfect for us,” Dr. Pour said. “If you eat right, exercise more and practice good hygiene, you can do your part to make Douglas County a healthier community. That’s what we work for every day of the year.”

            For more on National Public Health Week, visit www.nphw.org/.