Oakland County Health Division (OCHD), under the leadership of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, celebrates the 20th annual National Public Health Week (NPHW) held the first week in April by highlighting how public health is critical to our community’s health and improves quality of life.
Through a strong public health system, people can live longer lives and reduce the risk of chronic health issues such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. We have seen improvements in the past such as increased life expectancy, reduced infant mortality, and declining smoking rates. No single entity or agency can make a community healthy; so much more can be accomplished by working together with a common goal to improve health.
“It’s impossible to disconnect our individual health from our community’s health,” said Kathy Forzley, OCHD manager/health officer. “Good health doesn’t happen by chance. Public health helps improve the environments in which we live, work and play and connects people to resources available in our communities to promote health.”
Many public health services and health promotion options are available at the Oakland County Health Division and its community partners.
• Stay up to date on recommended vaccinations for yourself and your loved ones. OCHD provides low-cost immunizations for all ages in our Pontiac office at 1200 N. Telegraph Road and Southfield office at 27725 Greenfield Road. We are a walk-in clinic. No appointments are necessary. http://bit.ly/1NH92YF
• Participate in physical activity on a daily basis and encourage family and friends to do the same. Walking and biking are great ways to get active.
Check out the different trails in Oakland County. Visit Oakland County Parks and Recreation at http://www.destinationoakland.com
• Support local farmers markets and other access points to fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s not only good for your health, it’s good for the local economy too. Oakland County Market is located at 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford and is open year round. http://www.destinationoakland.com/countymarket.
• Know the facts about food safety. OCHD’s Environmental Health Unit makes food safety a top priority when residents are dining out in Oakland County. You can protect family and friends when preparing meals at home by following basic food safety guidelines to avoid getting sick. http://bit.ly/1BXFvEs.
OCHD’s 30 plus programs and services demonstrate our commitment to improving the community’s health. In addition, OCHD partners with various organizations across the county to impact the health of Oakland County residents. To learn more about these collaboratives that are making Oakland County a healthier place to live, work, and play, visit www.oakgov.com/health.
For additional information on Health Division services or health-related resources, find us on Facebook at Public Health Oakland or follow
twitter.com/publichealthOC. Residents can also call Nurse on Call at 1-800-888-5533.
Since 1995, when the first full week of April was declared National Public Health Week, communities across the United States have observed National Public Health Week as a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation.
Each year, National Public Health Week focuses its effort on a different theme. This year’s theme is “Healthiest Nation in One Generation-by 2030.”
The 2015 theme was developed to highlight the value of prevention and curbing health care spending to become the healthiest nation in one generation. National Public Health Week runs April 6-12. For additional information, visit www.nphw.org.
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