Defense Public Health Kicks Off National Public Health Week

Image of Defense Public Health Kicks Off National Public Health Week. The Department of Defense will join with other public health officials across the globe to celebrate National Public Health Week April 1–7. This year’s theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” Across the DHA public health experts are sharing best practices with DHA beneficiaries on how to promote a healthy lifestyle. (Defense Health Agency Public Health graphic illustration by Jason Embrey)

Public health officials from across DHA Public Health will host several activities this week in observance of National Public Health Week, April 1–7.

Celebrated annually by the American Public Health Association, NPHW is an opportunity to honor the contributions of public health officials across the world, and to educate society on how to build and sustain their own good health.

This year’s theme for NPHW is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” Across DHA Public Health, experts are sharing best practices with DHA beneficiaries on how to promote a healthy lifestyle.

“Prevention is the best way to health,” said U.S. Public Health Service Rear Adm. Brandon Taylor, DHA public health director. “Rather than treating individuals when they are ill, public health aims to prevent our DOD community from getting sick in the first place.”

In addition to the overall theme for NPHW, there is a dedicated daily theme to one area of Public Health reflecting the NPHW theme.

These daily themes are:

  • Monday, April 1; Civic Engagement.
  • Tuesday, April 2: Healthy Neighborhoods.
  • Wednesday, April 3: Climate Change.
  • Thursday, April 4: Reproductive and Sexual Health.
  • Friday, April 5: New Tools and Innovations.
  • Saturday, April 6: Emergency Preparedness.
  • Sunday, April 7: Future of Public Health.

Across DHA, multiple events are underway to commemorate NPHW.

Public health activities include several online lunch seminars to discuss the various public health topics and a blood drive at the Defense Health Headquarters. There are also public health walks scheduled at the various Defense Centers for Public Health. DHA employees can expect to see messaging from DHA PH leadership, NPHW commemorative banner stands in DHA buildings, and social media posts on the contributions of public health professionals.

Public health leaders emphasize that although NPHW ends April 7, the good work of public health continues year-round.

“Since the first inoculations were developed, public health has been integral to DOD forces,” said Sean Friendly, deputy director of DHA Public Health. “We want to ensure our force remains fit and ready for the future.”

You also may be interested in...

Article
Apr 24, 2023

Report Reveals Military Hearing Loss is Stable

U.S. Navy Lt. Kyle Rodgers, an occupational audiologist at Naval Branch Health Clinic Jacksonville, uses an otoscope to conduct an ear exam.  (U.S. Navy photo by Deidre Smith, Naval Hospital)

The Defense Health Agency’s Hearing Center of Excellence Military Hearing Conservation Report for fiscal year 2021 revealed that hearing loss in the Department of Defense remains relatively stable among service members and civilians enrolled in hearing conservation programs.

Article
Apr 11, 2023

Navy Entomology Center of Excellence Arms the Department of Defense’s Experts in the Fight for Public Health

U.S. Air Force Capt. Deanna Scheff (left) receiving pesticide application training from U.S. Air Force Ensign Benfry DeJesus (right) during the largest inter-agency pesticide certification course delivered in nearly five years on Naval Air Station Jacksonville. (Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. Nicholas Johnston)

Navy Entomology Center of Excellence staff trained and equipped active duty preventive medicine and civilian pest control personnel representing U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army during the largest inter-agency pesticide certification course delivered in nearly five years on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, Jan. 23.

Article
Feb 28, 2023

Dental Team First to Treat Patients at New Redi Doti Dental Clinic

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Susan Gjekaj, Air Expeditionary Squadron pediatric dentist, operates on a student of the Johan Chelius School in Redi Doti, Suriname, on Feb. 13. Dental personnel from the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team engaged with members in the Lokono and Kalin'a villages to provide extractions, fillings, cleanings and teach best practices for sustaining good oral hygiene. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alexus Wilcox)

The dental professionals of the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team were the first to see patients in a newly opened dental clinic in Redi Doti, Suriname. The Youth Dental Care Foundation’s Redi Doti clinic will serve patients in rural communities, making dental services and preventative care more easily accessible for the region in South America.

Refine your search