The public health system that keeps our communities healthy and safe is changing as technologies advance, public attitudes toward health shift and more health and safety options become available.
National Public Health Week 2014 presents an opportunity for public health and clinical health professionals to engage with individuals and communities to help them navigate this changing world of public health.
“Public Health: Start Here,” is this year’s theme for National Public Health Week, April 7-13. This is the fourth year the College of Public Health Student Association will coordinate campus and community events in an effort to raise awareness about the critical role public health and prevention play in keeping communities healthy.
Students have planned events that celebrate public health in different contexts.
The schedule:
Monday, April 7:
11 a.m.-12 p.m., Maurer Center for Public Health, outside lower patio
The student association will kick off the week’s events with a “Cooking Matters” healthy cooking demonstration. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch and learn as a Cooking Matters volunteer cooks a healthy meal while sharing information about basic nutrition, food safety and food budgeting. Following the demonstration, the student association will kick off Public Health Week, introducing the themes of the week and promoting the events of the week.
Wednesday, April 9:
5:30-7:30 p.m., Maurer Center for Public Health, Room 3013
The student association and UNMC’s chapter of Delta Omega, Public Health Honorary, will host a screening of the documentary “Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare.” This documentary examines the American health care system and proposes ways to transition from a health system that focuses on treatment of the sick to one that is committed to proactively keeping people and communities healthy. A panel discussion with public health and clinical professionals will follow the screening. Snacks provided to the first 30 attendees.
Friday, April 11:
Noon -1 p.m., Maurer Center for Public Health, Room 3013
The week’s festivities will close with a National Public Health Week presentation by Joseph Acierno, M.D., J.D., chief medical officer and director of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Service’s division of public health. Dr. Acierno will be discussing the current priorities and directions of his division and examining how the College of Public Health and the division of public health can collaborate. Lunch will be provided to the first 50 attendees.