Mayor Kirk Watson, City Of Austin | City Of Austin website
Mayor Kirk Watson, City Of Austin | City Of Austin website
Austin Public Health (APH) is marking the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week from April 7 to April 13, 2025. The occasion serves as a "compassionate reminder" of the ongoing effort required to maintain community health, a responsibility that extends "24/7," even in times without headline-making emergencies.
Despite the absence of a significant crisis, APH is actively engaged daily. As Texas confronts a measles outbreak, community support for public health initiatives is emphasized as crucial for fortifying the city against future challenges.
Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis County Health Authority, highlighted the comprehensive nature of public health efforts. “Public health encompasses our daily lives. Think restaurant inspections, vaccination clinics, keeping an eye on disease outbreaks, providing housing and food assistance referrals, and preventing overdoses – all the unglamorous but vital work that keeps our city safe and healthy behind the scenes. These everyday services often go unnoticed, but they’re exactly what prevents small problems from snowballing into crises. Public health is inherently crosscutting – strengthening even one area (say, better disease tracking or immunizations) ends up strengthening the whole system,” said Dr. Walkes, emphasizing the importance of these services.
On April 10, APH will host an event at City Hall featuring a proclamation by Council Member Vanessa Fuentez. The community is invited to engage with APH programs and staff to learn more about their services.
Austin Public Health Director, Adrienne Sturrup, encouraged community involvement in the week's activities, saying, "As we celebrate National Public Health Week by recognizing our staff and programs, I also encourage our community to participate in this week with us. I invite everyone to learn more about all the services we have to offer, get the help you need, and celebrate making Austin a healthier place for all.”
To commemorate National Public Health Week, APH will conduct various community events, including a virtual conversation on mental wellness, free health screenings for various conditions at multiple locations including East Austin Neighborhood Center and Dove Springs Neighborhood Center, and a Black Maternal Health Fair.
National Public Health Week is also an opportunity to focus on specific health topics identified by the American Public Health Association. These topics are integral to achieving a healthier nation, and the public is encouraged to contribute to these objectives.
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