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Our weekly news column bringing the most current, non-biased health
information to the consumer. |
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April 15, 2008 |
A Publication of QVHD |
A Day in the Life
By: V. Deborah Culligan, RN, MPH,
Deputy Director QVHD
National Public Health
Week is celebrated in April. The national focus this year is on climate
change, encouraging people to become aware of ways to protect the
environment. But public health does not have a single-focus. In fact,
public health's role and accomplishments affect you everyday! Perhaps
this story will explain.
You wake up and jump into the shower, taking for granted the safety of
the water . As you flush the toilet, you realize you have never really
thought about proper disposal and how it works. You enter the kitchen.
You reach for the milk with confidence that is a safe, healthy food for
your healthy children, all of whom have been immunized against diseases,
which were deadly in days gone-by. You pack the kids in the car,
remembering to buckle up seat belts and safety seats . It's a habit now,
thanks to public health messages. One child is dropped off at the
daycare center , and the other at school. You know that their
environment is safe and healthy, thanks to public health inspections and
training. You go to work in a smoke-free environment , now commonly
occurring thanks to those committed to public health. For lunch break,
you eat at a near-by restaurant . You see their license on the wall, and
know public health has been working for you. At the end of the day, your
family decides to go for a swim at the community pool . Did you know
that public health is working there too, to protect you by inspecting
pools?
Today we enjoy better health, live in healthier conditions, know more
about how to take care of our health, and live longer than at any time
in past. To a large extent, these trends are the results of efforts and
activities of public health. Public health works, and we are the living
proof.
Public health works to:
Prevent epidemics and the spread of disease; Protect against
environmental hazards; Prevent injuries; Promote and encourage healthy
behaviors; Respond to disasters and assist communities in recovery;
Ensure the quality and accessibility of health services. If you would
like information on your local health department or a speaker for you
group, District residents can call QVHD, 248-4528. Visit our website at
www.qvhd.org
| An Ounce of Prevention is a
publication of the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, located at
1151 Hartford Turnpike, North Haven, CT 06473. Telephone:
248-4528. An Ounce of Prevention is
written by V. Deborah Culligan. The articles are published in the following local newspapers, The Advisor &
Beth-Wood News.
The content is provided as health education and
information to help you make health decisions. It is not intended to
be legal or medical advice, or substitute for recommendations made
by your health care provider. Address all comments to the district
office. |
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