Public Health Department
Michigan Celebrates National Public Health Week
April 20 - 26th is Public Health Week in Washtenaw County!
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The dramatic achievements of Public Health in the 20th century have improved our quality of life; an increase in life expectancy; world wide reduction in infant and child mortality; and the elilmination or reduction of many communicable diseases.See what public health
can do for you!
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Did you know?Approximately half of the 2 million deaths in the United States each year could be prevented. Nearly 13 percent of Americans live in poverty. U.S. life expectancy has reached a record high of 78.1 years, but still ranks just 46th among the world's industrialized nations. More than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese and approximately 9 million children over 6 are considered obese. America is one of the top 10 countries that have the most people living with HIV/AIDS. The U.S. infant mortality rate is higher than those in most developed countries. |
Health disparities persist in America with minority populations having nearly eight times the death rate for key health conditions, such as diabetes, than that of non-minority populations.
About 19 million Americans are infected with an STD each year and almost half of them are people ages 15 to 24.
Public health is a crucial component of the solution to these problems because it affects every facet of our lives: our nation, communities, workplaces, schools and homes.
In 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. These advances have been largely responsible for increasing the lifespan of populations; over twenty-five of the 30 years can be accredited to public health initiatives, while medical advances account for less than 4 years. Furthermore, since 1900, the average life expectancy for Americans has increased by about 30 years.
Today, Public Health leaders continue to strengthen their roles as advocates for improved population-based health in an international, global community.
We all want the healthiest nation possible. In an ideal America, every person has access to health services, healthy lifestyles are embraced, our public health infrastructure is fully funded and operational, and social and economic factors that have an impact on health are addressed in a timely and impactful manner. By committing ourselves to creating a strong public health system, we can establish a solid foundation for a healthier future.
