By Kyra Cummings

For over 25 years, the American Public Health Association (APHA) has organized National Public Health Week (NPHW) to unite and spotlight the nation’s emerging health issues. This national campaign educates the public, policymakers, and practitioners about that year’s theme to raise awareness and increase prevention efforts. The overall theme for 2023 is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health,” focusing on inclusion and equity and using the social determinants of health (SDOH) to understand these factors for better decision-making. The goal is to build the healthiest nation and reduce health disparities.

Learn more here.

Week Overview and Daily Themes:

Monday, April 3 – Community

Community focuses on the social determinants of health (SDOH), and health disparities marginalized communities face in healthcare. In addition, this theme calls for more engagement in environmental factors such as transportation barriers, access to care, and food insecurity.

Get involved in your community and support community-led solutions this week to make an impact on public health! Promote programs such as community-led gardens and help redesign neighborhood elements such as bike lanes and sidewalks. Consider advocating for policy change by reaching your elected officials to use funds to address the social determinants of health and health disparities. Additionally, APHA recognizes responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, which embraced cultural values in vaccination and mental health.

Learn more here.

Tuesday, April 4 – Violence Prevention

Violence prevention encompasses a range of issues, including homicides, suicides, intimate partner violence, and child abuse. Violence prevention also highlights staggering disparities among different communities in acts of violence. This week, learn more about community-based strategies and trauma-informed services that provide training and advocacy for safe and stable environments for victims and families. Advocate for policy change and community-based solutions that target the root causes of violence. APHA celebrates culturally tailored strategies for violence prevention in communities where patriarchal social norms inform controlling and abusive behavior. ‘

Learn more here.  

Wednesday, April 5 – Reproductive and Sexual Health

Reproductive and Sexual Health addresses various health issues, including overturning Roe v. Wade, access to care, disparities in pregnancy-related mortality, comprehensive sex education, and gender-affirming healthcare. Consider donating to SisterSong’s Birth Justice Fund to support women of color in pregnancy and postpartum services. Advocate for policies that include comprehensive sex education and culturally competent curricula. APHA recognizes the increase in LGBTQ+ inclusive sex education in several states nationwide. Other celebrations include vaccination uptake and government action on smallpox and reproductive justice organizations’ efforts in training and educational programming.

Learn more here.

Thursday, April 6 – Mental Health

Mental health has impacts nationwide, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders, among the most common in the United States. Like many health issues, mental illness has several health disparities for communities, including the Indigenous and transgender populations. Additionally, mental illness has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic in communities of color, primarily Hispanic adults. Take action this week by learning more about suicide prevention here and using these resources to help engage in mental health conversations. In addition, APHA celebrates the fight against mental health stigma and national organizations providing services for minority groups to address mental health.

Learn more here.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call, text, or chat at 988 or contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-HELP.

Friday, April 7 – Rural Health

Rural health addresses health disparities for rural Americans compared to urban residents. Disparities include poverty, food deserts, access to care, transportation barriers, and lack of physical activity. As a result, rural residents are at disproportionate risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, and respiratory disease. Consider advocating for access to care and expansion of medical school training in practice in rural areas. APHA celebrates non-profits like Holler Health Justice which provided abortion funding and distribution of N95 masks and hand sanitizer during the pandemic to Appalachian Black and Indigenous people. 

Learn more here.

Saturday, April 8 – Accessibility

Accessibility focuses on people with disabilities and the impact of heart disease, diabetes, and climate change on this population. This theme also addresses the rise in childhood asthma in Black and African Americans. Additionally, contact your local representatives this week to strengthen public health infrastructure to combat climate change and increase access to care and health equity. APHA celebrates efforts to protect essential health care, including reproductive freedom, the Rehabilitation Act, and the protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Learn more here.

Sunday, April 9 – Food and Nutrition

Food and nutrition concerns are being addressed with their relationship with chronic disease and climate change. Food deserts and insecurity are significant in Black and Hispanic residents due to structural racism and discriminatory policies. Climate change is becoming a considerable threat to agriculture and our food systems. Take action this week by supporting legislation that expands programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or volunteering at a local food bank. APHA celebrates the efforts of food banks and nutrition programs with culturally appropriate approaches to intervention.

Learn more here.

Check out the complete National Public Health Week Website here to learn more!