Peoria City/County Health Department Celebrates National Public Health Week

From the Peoria City/County Health Department:

Since 1995, communities across the country have celebrated the first full week of April as National Public Health Week. This year during April 2-8, 2012, the Peoria City/County Health Department will celebrate the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving the health of the community.

"Public health departments contribute to health by protecting the water we drink, the food we eat, and providing health protection through immunizations," says Greg Chance, Public Health Administrator for Peoria City/County Health Department. "Additionally, it is the local health department that serves as the sentinel to ensure that infectious diseases do not gain a foothold in our community."

Chance states, "The health of a community depends on many different factors, including quality of health care, individual behavior, education and jobs, and the environment. The Peoria County Community Health Improvement Plan 2011 identifies three priority community health challenges that must be addressed to improve public health in Peoria County - obesity, oral health, and reproductive health. The Plan outlines suggested community-based health improvement programs and services to address these public health challenges. However, the Community Health Improvement Plan emphasizes that Peoria County will not make significant public health improvements unless all Peoria County residents get involved in creating a healthier community."

"The community health system includes everyone who has a responsibility to promote good health in our communities," Chance adds. "If just one neighborhood enhances the ability for local residents to exercise more, one employer launches an exercise program, or one group of people join together to bring fresh fruit to schools, we can create a group of community health successes. Celebrate public health success and commit to health improvement during National Public Health Week and all year long as we work together. A healthier Peoria County begins today, join the movement."

For more information about Peoria City/County Health Department and public health issues, visit our website at www.pcchd.org or "Like" us on Facebook.