DELAWARE COUNTY – Since 1995, the American Public Health Association has sponsored the National Public Health  Week to educate the public, policymakers and public health professionals about important  issues to improve the public’s health. Over the years public health advocacy has contributed to  seatbelt laws, vaccines, food labels, clean water, healthier school lunches and smoking  regulations for public places. Continued advocacy for local community improvement, funding  for public health projects and the state and nation’s infrastructure for future disasters and  pandemics, is needed. 

Residents in our county face social determinants such as poverty, transportation barriers and  affordable housing, healthy food access, all of which negatively impact health. Our communities  are creative, resourceful and value a sense of community.  

We aim to increase physical activity and increase access to healthy foods by promoting parks,  trails and recreation spaces, and through food access programs and farmers markets. We  continue to foster mental wellness through community partnerships and projects, provide  support during extreme heat by recruiting local libraries to serve as cooling centers during heat  emergencies. 

During National Public Health Week, the public health community comes together to honor  public health work, advocate for policies and practices for a healthier future, celebrate  accomplishments and bring a renewed focus to the work ahead. Public health's future is all  about expanding our partnerships to collaborate with planners, education officials, public,  private, community agencies and the local community at large. Strong public health systems are  pivotal for sustaining and improving community health. 

Learn more about how National Public Health Week by visiting 

https://www.apha.org/initiatives/national-public-health-week