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National Public Health Week Observed This Month

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 April 2005, 03:00 CDT

Event empowers Americans to 'Live Stronger, Longer'

HEALTHY AGING will be in the spotlight this month during National Public Health Week, which focuses on "Empowering Americans to Live Stronger, Longer."

The annual APHA-sponsored event will be observed in communities across the country from April 4 to April 10.

National Public Health Week 2005 will challenge people to "prevent, protect and plan" so that they can add more healthy years to their lives. During the week, APHA and its partners will teach Americans how to prevent health problems by practicing healthy living, protect their health through early detection and screening and plan their health management in a way that will promote a high quality of life in later years.

"Whether you are an aging American, someone caring for an older American, a community leader or policy-maker, following the "Three Ps' will make all of America stronger," said APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP.

National Public Health Week activities typically include health fairs, art contests, legislative advocacy, health walks, proclamations and educational outreach. To tie in with this year's aging theme, organizers are encouraged to create activities that target people ages 65 and older as well as their fami lies and caregivers.

Public health advancements have allowed Americans to live longer. The average life expectancy in the United States is now 77.6 years of age, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. As the baby boomer generation ages, the percentage of Americans who are elderly is expected to swell, leading to larger numbers of older Americans than ever before. By 2050, more than 80 million Americans are expected to be ages 65 and older, increasing from 36 million today.

"Today, many individuals and their families - as well as communities and policy-makers - are missing opportunities to take the preventive actions necessary to keep aging Americans stronger and healthier throughout their latter years," Benjamin said. "As a result, older Americans often endure chronic physical and mental illnesses that could be avoided or diminished if they were more proactively addressed. At APHA, we believe that it is never too late to address these issues."

APHA will release the results of a new survey during National Public Health Week on healthy aging in America. The survey results will reveal how people ages 55 and older assess their own health, their awareness of ways to stay healthy and barriers that stand in the way of their wellness.

Sponsors for this year's National Public Health Week include the American Legacy Foundation, American Association of Medical Colleges, California Endowment, National Association of Community Health Centers Inc. and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The Web site now featurcs a free, downloadable toolkit, planner's guide, logos, a poster and a list of agencies and organizations that focus on aging issues.

Fact sheets are also available on issues such as prescription medication use, injury prevention and caring for older adults. A special interactive map links Web users to National Public Health Week activities in their states.

For more information, visit or call (202) 777-2515.

Copyright American Public Health Association Apr 2005

Source: Nation's Health, The

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