National Public Health Week
April 4-10, 2016
The theme of National Public Health Week 2016 is Healthiest Nation 2030. The US ranks 34th in life expectancy, a figure that varies widely by race, income, education, and where we live. We trail most other developed nations in preventive health measures, focusing our resources on treatment rather than prevention of disease. This year National Public Health week is asking all of us to consider what steps we need to take in the next 15 years to be the healthiest nation by 2030?
According to the American Public Health Association, “Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. While a doctor treats people who are sick, those of us working in public health try to prevent people from getting sick or injured in the first place. We also promote wellness by encouraging healthy behaviors.”
Behaviors like breastfeeding. Many public health campaigns involve widespread education, promotion and acceptance of biologically normal behaviors – exercise, eating well – proper quantities, less processed and more fresh whole foods, hand washing and other hygiene measures, drinking in moderation, not smoking… anything… ever.
Breastfeeding is a normal behavior crucial for preventive care, which is important for making the US the Healthiest Nation it can be by 2030. In honor of National Public Health Week 2016, we are featuring a series of three blogs; Breastfeeding is normal; Imagining breastfeeding as normal; and, Is milk exchange normal? As always we welcome your feedback, comments, stories.
To a healthy nation now and to the healthiest nation we can be by 2030.
