Carson City to observe National Public Health Week

Look around you. Public health is everywhere; you might just not know it.

Carson City Health and Human Services is looking to change the perception of public health in the community through a very visible new campaign. Starting on April 6, red stickers that say "This is Public Health" will be placed throughout the community in observance of National Public Health Week. In each case, these stickers will be pointing out an important public health function that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Do you enjoy clean public restroom facilities? That is public health. Do you use the public transportation provided by the JAC buses? That's public health, too. In fact, public health accounts for many of the quality-of-life improvements that we take for granted, including motor vehicle safety improvements, occupational health and safety laws, and control of infectious diseases through better sanitation and vaccinations.

Since 1900, public health has added nearly 25 years to the American life expectancy. However, despite the dramatic progress achieved in the last 100 years through public health advancement such as the elimination of polio, fluoridation of drinking water and enactment of seat belt laws, the United States still underachieves in many important health indicators:

- U.S. life expectancy still ranks 46th in the world.

- 66.3 percent of Americans over age 20 are overweight or obese.

- A baby born in the United States is more likely to die before its first birthday than a child born in almost any other developed country.

Across the United States, researchers, volunteers, doctors and others are working hard to improve health in our country. Right here in Carson City, health officials are providing valuable services to the community. They are behind the scenes every day delivering programs to control disease, provide clinic services, and prepare the community for health emergencies.

When you see a "This is Public Health" sticker around town, take a moment to consider all the public health activities that are happening. It really is all around you.

- Cortney Bloomer is a health educator for Carson City Health and Human Services