Key Themes for National Public Health Week 2023

While individuals trust their own providers for personal medical needs, ensuring the safety and well-being at the community level is a top priority for public health. Unfortunately, there are barriers that far too many South Floridians face when looking at health from the community perspective. According to the American Public Health Association (APHA), around 6 million residences in the US are considered substandard, and children are exposed to abnormally high levels of lead in almost 4 million of them. COVID-19 has also created an unprecedented public health crisis that affects all.

APHA aims to shed light on some of these challenges through its celebration of National Public Health Week running April 5-11, 2021. To achieve these goals, APHA has scheduled numerous virtual events organized around the theme “Building Bridges to Better Health.” Zoom panels will be dedicated to various public health topics, with particular focus on COVID-19.

Rebuilding and Strengthening Community: Over two separate sessions, panelists and participants will address how galvanizing communities is the first step to overcoming COVID-19 challenges. Rebuilding is not about returning to the pre-pandemic status quo, but rather investing in the public health infrastructure and strengthening community bonds. Studies show that people who feel a sense of inclusion and support live longer and deal with stress more effectively. 

Raising Mental Health Awareness: In any year, mental illness will affect 1 in 5 people in the US. In 2020, COVID-19 exposed the serious nature of these medical conditions when lockdowns led to isolation – followed by an associated spike in mental health issues. During National Public Health Week, APHA encourages participants to:

• Reach out to officials and demand that public health services are available to those with mental illness during a crisis
• Support your own mental health through physical activity, eating well, and getting enough sleep
• Paying close attention and communicating often with loved ones who suffer from mental conditions, especially anyone at risk of suicide 

Unique Needs of Essential Workers: APHA points out that about 75 percent of Americans are engaged in employment they cannot do at home, so the COVID-19 public health crisis affects the majority of the US workforce. Health care workers are at the forefront, but those in manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, public safety, hospitality, and many other sectors are also at risk. From a public health perspective, the panels and discussions will center on  how protecting people in their place of employment leads to better outcomes.

Call Now to Discuss Your Options with a Florida Medical Malpractice Attorney 

It is important to understand the key themes regarding public health from a community level, but your personal well-being should be an individual focus. If you suffered harm because of a health care provider’s mistake, you may qualify to recover compensation for your losses through a medical malpractice claim. To learn more, please contact Freidin Brown, P.A. to speak to one of our Miami medical malpractice lawyers. We can set up a no-cost case evaluation to discuss your circumstances at our offices.

Resource:

nphw.org/