We Are All Public Health
April marks the observance of National Public Health Week, a time when we come together to acknowledge and celebrate efforts made to improve public health. National Public Health Week is organized annually by the American Public Health Association to highlight the pressing public health issues that need our attention. This year's theme, "Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health," encourages us to remember our inherent role in public health.
Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through organized community efforts. It focuses on the health of the entire population rather than individuals. It is critical because it helps us understand and tackle the root causes of health problems, such as social, economic and environmental factors.
One of the most important aspects of public health is being prepared for emergencies and knowing how to respond. We've all seen the crucial role this plays through our experience with the recent pandemic. When health crises arise—from disease outbreaks to natural disasters or even bioterrorism—our robust public health systems stand as our first line of defense, predicting, preventing and responding to these threats, keeping us safe and saving countless lives.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plays a pivotal role in promoting public health in the United States. The CDC Foundation, an independent nonprofit, supports the CDC's critical health protection mission. We help the CDC do more, faster, by forging effective partnerships between the CDC and others to fight threats to health and safety.
By supporting the CDC Foundation, you are helping to bolster our nation's health security and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life. Your contribution can help fund groundbreaking research, life-saving interventions and crucial education programs.
This National Public Health Week, let's pledge to increase our understanding of public health and commit to making healthier choices. We can all play a part in creating healthier communities and a healthier world.
