HEALTHIEST NATION 2030

April 6-12, 2015

Since 1995, communities from across the country have  participated in National Public Health Week. Every April, we come together to celebrate public health and renew our commitment to promoting a healthier nation using a unique theme to center the conversation. NPHW 2015 will focus on rallying each of our Maine  communities around this year's theme:

Making the U.S. the Healthiest Nation in One Generation-by 2030.

Right now, the U.S. spends more on health care than all other comparable countries. What do we have to show for that spending? Numerous studies   show that we live shorter lives and struggle with more health issues such as obesity, infant mortality, diabetes, heart disease and more. And this is true for Americans of all ages and socio-economic groups.

This is the defining challenge of our generation and one that we, the public health community, are uniquely positioned to overcome. Comprehensive community public health interventions work. Here in Maine and across the Nation, we have the tools to see drastic and sweeping population level impacts through the implementation of evidence-based policy and environmental change.

That's why, during National Public Health Week 2015, the public health community is rallying around a goal of making the U.S. the Healthiest Nation in One Generation-by 2030.

In the 20 years we've been celebrating National Public Health Week we have seen the tremendous success we can achieve working together across all fields of public health. Moving forward, we need to collaborate with an even broader range of partners to address all of the issues that have a profound effect on our health. 
  
Join MPHA during NPHW and let's build a groundswell of support for the prevention and public health programs we know improve the health of our communities. The timing couldn't be more critical as the Governor's budget proposes to cut our public health infrastructure and decimate the state tobacco program. Help us spread the word that investing in public health is an investment in our state and nation's health and by  extension, our future.

Thank you for partnering with MPHA to make a difference in our future. Each signed proclamation, public event, social media post and online message is another step in the right direction toward educating the general public about what public health is and does in Maine and well as improving the health and well-being of Maine and our nation.

Monday, April 6
Raising the Grade
The U.S. doesn’t have the top health care system – we have a great “sick care” system. We have great doctors, state-of-the-art hospitals and we’re leaders in advanced procedures and pharmaceuticals. But studies consistently show that despite spending twice as much, we trail other countries in life expectancy and almost all other measures of good health.

Visit the NPHW website to learn more about how to participate.

Tuesday, April 7
Starting From Zip
Today, your ZIP code says far too much about your health. Within the United States, there are unacceptable disparities in health, state-by-state and even county-by-county. The effort to make the U.S. the Healthiest Nation in One Generation starts with ensuring equity across our communities.

Visit the NPHW website to learn more about how to participate.

Building Momentum
Debates around the Affordable Care Act have brought added attention to prevention and public health. As a result, we’re beginning to see a broad range of influential organizations taking important steps in line with creating the Healthiest Nation. Yet, as we celebrate the gains we’ve made, a key challenge will be to expand and build upon this momentum.

Visit the NPHW website to learn more about how to participate.

Thursday, April 9
Building Broader Communities
In the work to become the Healthiest Nation in One Generation, we can’t do it all on our own. As public health professionals, we know it’s not enough to ask people to make healthy choices when intractable challenges such as poverty, poor education, housing and environmental factors have such a profound impact on health.

Visit the NPHW website to learn more about how to participate.

Friday, April 10
Building on 20 Years of Success
2015 marks the 20th anniversary of APHA coordinating National Public Health Week. Let’s celebrate our accomplishments and talk about what it will take to become the Healthiest Nation in One Generation.

Visit the NPHW website to learn more about how to participate.

More Resources

Included below are sample marketing/communications tools to help you raise awareness regarding National Public Health Week.

Planning Toolkit
Includes tips on how to plan a successful NPHW celebration whether it's in person or online.

Books and Additional Resources
A great listing of additional books and resources pertaining to Public Health.

Media and Social Media Outreach
Includes tips for gaining media coverage for your event; sample news release, letters to the editor and social media content.