Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Erwin Jacob Miciano | 200206-N-VI515-1067 SAN DIEGO (Feb. 06, 2020) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Deja...... read more read more
The first full week of each April is recognized as National Public Health Week, and the American Public Health Association has proclaimed this year’s theme as ‘Building Bridges to Better Health’. The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC)’s operations strive to educate and improve public health for service members and their families.
“While we’re, in some sense, a microcosm of society, we are also a unique component as well. We are unique on our application of our subject matter expertise to improving the public health and force health protection of our Sailors and Marines,” says Capt. Robert Hawkins, commander, Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. “Many times the policies we develop, especially in times of crisis like CODIV-19, rapidly impact and improve the overall public health of our deployed service members.”
The importance of providing and maintaining a positive environment including a culture of public health awareness is critical. For Sailors and Marines who are stationed all over the world and are forward deployed, the work takes on an even higher level of importance.
“Public Health practices and policies impact almost every aspect of life in the military, from the substances that are allowed to be on ships, the way we clean spaces like barbershops and galleys, and the way we respond to disease,” says Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Joseph Dennis, who serves as Command Master Chief of NMCPHC. Dennis also added, “If Navy leadership reaches out to determine the impact of an infection at an operational command,’ public health experts possess the expertise do the modeling for that specific scenario. Almost every aspect of life in the Navy is affected by a public health professional, which improves current and future readiness.”
The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center consists of a diverse mix of scientists, medical professionals and support staff from a wide array of public health disciplines. Their reach includes locations across the United States and spans the globe. With so many areas and moving parts there is a constant flow of information and data driving public health decision-making.
“Public health is not a destination, but a journey. Constant review and revision is necessary to ensure we offer the best and most current advice to Navy leadership.” Dennis said. “It’s been amazing to observe staff such as Epidemiology, health educators, preventive medicine, occupational medicine, and many others develop content and direction so our Navy can do what it needs to safely and effectively.”
As the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center develops policies and guidance, Capt. Hawkins understands that one of the most important role for building better health is the one played by the service member.
“I think individuals are the key to building a better public health environment,” Hawkins says. “Individual actions affect others such as getting vaccinated, exercising precautionary measures and these things are best utilized when it’s freely practiced and not mandated.”
The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) develops and shapes public health for the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps through health surveillance, epidemiology and analysis, disease and injury prevention, and public health consultation. Learn more by going to www.nmcphc.med.navy.mil. Follow NMCPHC on social media at https://www.facebook.com/NavyAndMarineCorpsPublicHealthCenter http://twitter.com/nmcphc and https://www.instagram.com/nmcphc/
| Date Taken: | 04.07.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2021 10:57 |
| Story ID: | 393242 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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