Amador County -- Monday marked the start of National Public Health Week and Amador County Public Health, together with Public Health Departments across the country, is promoting local health issues this week as a call to action to make a real difference in helping the community live healthier lives.
Diana Evensen, Tobacco Reduction of Amador County Program Director said Monday that residents can make a real difference in our community by committing to healthier behaviors for themselves, their children and families.” She said: We will find real change when we shift from a reactive health system to one focused on preventive measures. Many diseases and deaths are preventable through easy steps.”
Dr. Robert Hartmann, Amador County Public Health Officer, said health care costs are rising are rising across the country, with more than $2.3 billion spent in 2008, up 300 percent from 1990. He said in many cases, “costs are increasing because preventive measures are not being taken to eliminate future costs.
Connie Vaccarezza, Public Health Nursing Supervisor, said we need to recognize that improving our U.S. public health “can be done with small changes to our daily routine. From eating less fatty and unhealthy foods, to reducing communicable diseases in our community with vaccination, hand-washing and proper food preparation, to enacting measures that protect individuals from secondhand smoke, we can all make a difference in helping people live healthier and longer lives.”
Hartmann said “each year, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are responsible for millions of premature deaths and cause Americans to miss 2.5 billion days of work, resulting in lost productivity totaling more than $1 trillion.
With nearly a million Americans dying every year from diseases that could be prevented, even small preventive changes and initiatives can make a big difference in living healthier lives. These preventive measures can help create a healthier nation and reach the country’s goal of becoming the healthiest nation in just one generation.
Small actions are needed for communities, homes and families to see the large benefits of preventive care and grow the movement.
This week is the American Public Health Association’s annual celebration of the role of public health at the community level. Since 1995, communities around the country have celebrated National Public Health Week each April to draw attention to the need to help protect and improve the nation’s health.
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