ECHD recognizes 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week

ELIZABETHTOWN | If you could invest your money and expect a 14.3 percent return on that investment, would you consider it worthwhile? We think most people would. That is what public health programming provides on average - a 14.3 percent return on investment (ROI) across all interventions1. This means that for every dollar spent on public health, society can expect an average cost savings of $14.30 in return. National Public Health Week, occurring from April 7 to 13 this year, seeks to recognize the contributions of Public Health in creating healthier communities, implementing proven strategies to reduce disease burden, and protecting human life and safety through policy and systems change. "In the earlier part of the 20th century, the leading causes of death were due to infectious diseases – like tuberculosis, diphtheria, pneumonia, and gastrointestinal diseases - and the average life expectancy was 47 years," noted Linda Beers, Director of Public Health for the Essex County Health Department (ECHD). "At the end of the century, the leading causes of death shifted from infectious disease to chronic conditions – and people could expect to live a full 30 years longer. Of this total gain in life expectancy, 25 of those years are attributable to advances in public health," Beers stated. "Most people know that vaccine promotion and control of infectious disease outbreaks is the work of public health," explained Jessica Darney Buehler, Director of Health Promotion and Planning for ECHD. "But many may not realize that reductions in maternal and infant mortality, the thriving of all children through early intervention, safer workplaces, tobacco control, safer food and drinking water, seat belt, helmet and injury prevention initiatives are also the work of public health in action". The theme of National Public Health Week 2025 is "It Starts Here". The movement encourages everyone to act locally – within their own homes and communities – to create a healthier society for all. Get to know your neighbors, support local farms and food, frequent community-gathering spaces, increase civic engagement, and advocate for a strong public health system. Beers stressed the importance of that connection. "When we form relationships with our neighbors, we create more social cohesion and we realize that, more often than not, we have very similar hopes and dreams for our families and our futures. We can take this shared vision and make real and lasting change that benefits everyone". To learn more about National Public Health Week, go to nphw.org. For more information about Essex County Health Department programs and services, visit essexcountyny.gov/Health. 1 Masters R, Anwar E, Collins B, et al. Return on investment of public health interventions: a systematic reviewEpidemiol Community Health 2017;71:827-834.https://jech.bmj.com/content/71/8/827

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ECHD recognizes 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week

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