TITLE
Title
PROCLAIM APRIL 1-7, 2024 AS PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK 2024 IN GUILFORD COUNTY
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Commissioner Carly Cooke
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RESOLUTION
Resolution
WHEREAS, we hereby recognize and acknowledge 113 years of public health service to the residents of Guilford County by the Guilford County Division of Public Health, and the immeasurable contribution of their services and programs to the quality of life in our county; and
WHEREAS, the Guilford County public health workforce is a critical component of our emergency response to natural and man-made disasters and widespread disease outbreaks in our county; and
WHEREAS, our county public health workers have been courageous, inventive and tireless in their work to protect our residents from the threats of disease, while continuing to perform their other essential public health functions; and
WHEREAS, the public health division has been shaping Guilford County for the better since long before the COVID-19 pandemic arose; from expanding access to immunizations and improving safety standards for food, traffic and the workplace; to eliminating infectious diseases, improving environmental sanitation, promoting healthy lifestyle practices and advocating for cleaner air and water; our county public health professionals have improved the lives of residents and made our county stronger, healthier and more prosperous; and
WHEREAS, infant mortality is an indicator of societal health and requires a comprehensive public health response that supports individuals and families to achieve lasting improvement; and
WHEREAS, working towards health equity ensures coordinated systems, promotes access to health care including behavioral health and wellness throughout one’s life and addresses the nonmedical drivers of health such as racism, transportation, hunger, poverty, housing and interpersonal violence across multiple generations; and
WHEREAS, communities, local health departments, employers, hospitals and health care providers, individuals and families, insurers, county leaders and policy makers, faith-based communities, and schools and childcare facilities must work together to identify and develop innovative solutions to health problems facing the people of Guilford County; and
WHEREAS, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners is committed to a continued emphasis on prevention in public health and to helping our county reach a better state of health through actions outlined in the Healthy North Carolina 2030 and Community Health Improvement Plan objectives; and protecting Guilford County citizens from threats such as COVID-19 disease, influenza, foodborne disease, injury and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma; and
WHEREAS, public health measures to control and eliminate infectious diseases, improve environmental sanitation and promote healthy lifestyle practices have been the greatest cause of improved health status and increased life expectancy for the residents of Guilford County; and
WHEREAS, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners encourages all residents to recognize that public health is working to ensure that all residents are protected from threats to health such as influenza, tuberculosis, foodborne disease, injury, global pandemics and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer; and
WHEREAS, April 1-7, 2024, has been designated as NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK, bringing together public health workers, students, organizations and communities around the theme of “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health” with designated days for civic engagement, healthy neighborhoods, climate change, new tools and innovations, reproductive and sexual health, emergency preparedness and the future of public health.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Guilford County Board of Commissioners proclaims April 1-7, 2024 as PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK 2024 in Guilford County and expresses gratitude to the public health professionals that serve our county every day.
ADOPTED this the 21st day of March 2024.
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Proclaim the week of April 1-7, 2024 as Public Health Week 2024 in Guilford County.
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