Each year, National Public Health Week is observed to recognize public health contributions and call attention to issues that are essential to protecting and improving our nation's health. This National Public Health Week, April 7-13, the theme: "It Starts Here!" reminds us that the health of our community starts with each of us making a difference in our homes and communities.
At home, we play a part by ensuring loved ones and children are up to date on vaccinations. On-time vaccination throughout childhood is particularly essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. And regular vaccination also limits the spread of disease, especially in childcare and school environments. Other practical and simple measures we can all take to prevent the spread of disease include washing our hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of our elbow, and staying home when sick. We can also lower our risk of exposure to vector-borne diseases from mosquitoes and ticks by eliminating standing water breeding sites around our home and by wearing repellents when spending time outdoors.
The power to share Fairfax's health lies within Fairfax - if you live, work, or play in Fairfax, then there is no better place to begin making a change than right here, in your own community. Join together with your neighbors, with our local health coalition (the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax), or with other community groups, to create change and advocate for it.
— Vinu Ilakkuvan, Founder and Principal Consultant of Pop Health, LLC and Co-Chair of the Healthy Environment and Active Living (HEAL) Team for the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax
The Health Department remains committed to protecting our residents from emerging and re-emerging public health threats, especially at-risk and vulnerable groups, such as older adults, children and those with underlying medical conditions. Public health faces a wide range of community challenges like the opioid epidemic and mental health disorders; communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and most recently, vaccine preventable diseases, like measles. To meet these challenges, we continue to build our capacity to access and analyze health data, strengthen our partnerships with county and state agencies and continually improve our public health surveillance capabilities to meet needs into the future.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has designated April 7-13 Public Health Week. Watch the proclamation reading along with Deputy Director for Innovation and Planning Christopher Revere's remarks.
The Fairfax County Health Department utilizes tools to increase public knowledge of local health data and initiatives. Follow the Fairfax County Health Department on Facebook, Nextdoor, Instagram, YouTube, and sign up to receive monthly updates through the Public Health in Action e-newsletter.