Army public health professionals celebrate National Public Health Week

UNITED STATES

04.01.2019

Story by Douglas Holl 

Defense Centers for Public Health-Aberdeen

April 1 isn’t just for April Fools, it also marks the beginning of National Public Health Week, which runs from April 1-7. Sponsored by the American Public Health Association, the goal of NPHW is to raise public health awareness, which falls right in line with Army Public Health Center’s goal to support active living through the promotion of readiness and resilience.
Prevention of disease and injury is at the heart of the APHC mission and the NPHW themes, including healthy communities and technology and public health, nest very well with Army public health key initiatives. Throughout the week, APHC will be promoting these themes as well as highlighting some of the key findings in the recently released 2018 Health of the Force report. This year’s report provides an evidence-based portrait of the health and well-being of the U.S. Army Active Component Soldier population. Some key findings include the importance of mental skills training, as well as the key role embedded behavior health teams and Army Wellness Centers play in improving Soldier physical fitness.
“The Health of the Force report continues to provide meaningful data and information through rigorous research and analyses,” said John Resta, director of the U.S. Army Public Health Center and Acting Deputy Chief of Staff of Public Health for the U.S. Army Medical Command. “National Public Health Week is a great opportunity for us to promote healthy living and draw attention to this year’s report.”
Since the Army’s inception, Army Public Health professionals have focused public health efforts on building partnerships. In their work with installations and military medical treatment facilities, Army public health experts advise commanders and leaders about a broad range of public health initiatives and preventive actions. All have the same basic goals of encouraging healthy behaviors and standardizing public health efforts according to best practices (methods that have evidence to support their use).

Help support this year’s campaign by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. You can also keep up with all of this year’s Army health campaigns by visiting the APHC website.
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The Army Public Health Center enhances Army readiness by identifying and assessing current and emerging health threats, developing and communicating public health solutions, and assuring the quality and effectiveness of the Army’s Public Health Enterprise.

• Date Taken: 04.01.2019
• Date Posted: 04.02.2019 10:19
• Story ID: 316579
• Location: US