HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-04-2017 - 8-f - National Public Health Week Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 4, 2017
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-f
SUBJECT: National Public Health Week Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Health
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Kiana Redd, Public Health Educator,
(919) 245-2379
PURPOSE: To adopt a proclamation to officially recognize April 3 through 9, 2017 as National
Public Health Week in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Each year the Orange County Health Department and public health agencies
across the United States celebrate National Public Health Week to help raise awareness of the
important work being done to improve, and protect, the public's health.
The Health Department is requesting that the Board approve the proclamation recognizing April
3 through 9, 2017 as National Public Health Week in Orange County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or
ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic
status.
The Orange County Health Department works to provide, and advocate for, accessible health
(medical, dental, and mental health) services and policies for all who reside in, and/or visit, the
County regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual
orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial,
residential or economic status.
• GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
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The Orange County Health Department works to ensure community safety by offering a variety
of environmental risk screenings and inspections; adopting policies such as smoke-free public
places to protect individuals from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke; communicable
disease monitoring, prevention, and intervention services; and partnering with local law
enforcement and first responders to address issues such as overdose prevention throughout the
community.
• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and
volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation.
Through coalitions such as Healthy Carolinians and the Family Success Alliance, the Health
Department works to empower and engage all members of the community in identifying health
barriers, setting goals and priorities; as well as becoming active participants in the solution
process.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the Proclamation
regarding National Public Health Week and authorize the Chair to sign the Proclamation.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
National Public Health Week
APRIL 3-9, 2017
WHEREAS, the week of April 3 through 9, 2017 is National Public Health Week, and the theme is
"Healthiest Nation 2030"; and
WHEREAS, since 1995, the American Public Health Association, through its sponsorship of
National Public Health Week, has educated the public, policymakers and public health
professionals about issues important to improving the public's health; and
WHEREAS, over the past 25 years, U.S. life expectancy has increased, but at a slower rate than in
other countries, and studies consistently show U.S residents have a lower life expectancy than
comparable countries; and
WHEREAS, there is a significant difference in health status, such as obesity, poor mental health and
infectious disease, of people living in the healthiest states compared to people living in the least
healthy states; and
WHEREAS, public health professionals help communities prevent, prepare for, withstand and
recover from the impact of a full range of health threats, including disease outbreaks such as the
Zika virus, natural disasters and disasters caused by human activity; and
WHEREAS, public health action, together with scientific and technologic advances, have played a
major role in reducing and in some cases eliminating the spread of infectious disease, and in
establishing today's disease surveillance and control systems; and
WHEREAS, the percentage of adults smoking cigarettes in the U.S., the leading cause of
preventable disease and death in this nation, decreased from 20.9 percent in 2005 to 15.1 percent
in 2015.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do
hereby proclaim the week of April 3 through 9, 2017 as National Public Health Week in Orange
County and call upon the people of Orange County to observe this week by helping our families,
friends, neighbors, co-workers and leaders better understand the value of public health and
supporting great opportunities to adopt preventive lifestyle habits in light of this year's theme,
"Healthiest Nation 2030."
This, the 4th day of April, 2017.
Mark Dorosin, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners