Thank you Public Health!
During this trying time, the nation is taking time to thank the dedicated public health professionals who work every day to protect our health. In honor of National Public Health Week, the Washington State Public Health Association released a Thank you, Public Health video message. The video features Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, Secretary of Health John Wiesman, PhD, and a number of legislators and public health professionals expressing their gratitude.
Department of Health also joined public health professionals across the nation to observe National Public Health Week. Thousands of Washingtonians took part in the NPHW conversation on DOH Facebook, Twitter and beyond! Topics DOH highlighted include:
Monday, April 6 — Mental Health
Isolation is hard on our bodies and emotions. It can worsen mental and physical health and trigger anxiety and depression. If you’re feeling lonely, stressed or anxious, check out our blog post for three ways you can take control.
Tuesday, April 7 — Maternal and Child Health
Is a #COVID19 baby boom on the way? Whether you’re a new parent, expecting a baby, or planning for one, check out this DOH-curated playlist of maternal and child health videos with essential info and tools for a happy, healthy baby.
Wednesday, April 8 — Violence Prevention
Intimate partner violence has serious health impacts for victims and their families, including fear, PTSD, mental and physical injury, and death. Between 2006 and 2015, 563 Washingtonians were killed by an abusive intimate partner. For help call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1–800–799-SAFE, text “LOVEIS” to 22522, TTY: 1–800–787–3224, or visit www.thehotline.org.
Thursday, April 9 — Environmental Health
Climate change action today can help protect our children and future generations. The CDC’s five-step Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) framework helps organizations take action. Learn more about climate change and health and the BRACE framework.
Friday, April 10 — Education
A lack of education is associated with poorer health. In general, people with less education are more likely to suffer from obesity, substance abuse, and intentional and unintentional injury, compared with those who are more educated. Good health is also linked with higher grades and improved student performance. Learn more about how education affects health.
Saturday, April 11 — Healthy Housing
Many of us are homebound right now, especially as we stay home and stay healthy. So how healthy is your home? Many factors influence the health and safety of your home, including allergens, contaminants and chemicals, drinking water, food safety, pests, smoking and injuries. To find out how to make your home safe and healthy visit https://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/HealthyHome.
Sunday, April 12 — Economics
Poverty and inequality are root causes of poor health. For every $1 invested in reducing child poverty, there is a $7 return to the economy. This is due to increased lifetime earnings, as well as savings from reduced state spending on homelessness, health and crime. Washington is a national leader in state policies that support health and reduce poverty, including Medicaid expansion, paid family and medical leave, and long term care insurance. Learn more at www.dismantlepovertyinwa.com or read the Washington State 10-year plan to reduce poverty.
Help us keep the public health conversation and momentum going! Until next year, when we again celebrate this important work, #ThankYouPublicHealth!
More information
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Information in this blog changes rapidly. Check the state’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date and reliable info at coronavirus.wa.gov.
Answers to your questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Washington state may be found at our website. You can also contact our call center at 1–800–525–0127. Hours: 6 am-10 pm, seven days a week.
