National Public Health Week, April 6-12, 2009

Promote Public Health in Your Workplace Wednesday, April 8, 2009 Almost every day, Americans spend just as much time, if not more, in their workplaces than they do in their communities or at home. Therefore, promoting health and safety in the workplace is an essential part of public health’s role in building the foundation for a healthy America. From worksite wellness programs aimed at helping workers adopt healthy behaviors to safety regulations aimed at keeping them safe on the job, public health works in a variety of ways to address health where we work. Today, think about how public health provides the foundation for the health and well-being of people in Your Workplace. What can you do to help create a healthier environment at work? Make a special effort to share our Healthiest Nation in One Generation viral video with your co-workers today. And don’t forget to add your organization’s name to the list of those who have committed to make a difference. Here are some other things you can do to promote public health in your workplace: Start a workplace wellness program. Well-constructed workplace wellness programs can reduce costs to the employer and improve employee health and morale. Form a committee and start making changes today! Stress the importance of healthy food options. Find yourself tempted by the high-calorie, low-nutrient foods in the vending machine when late afternoon hunger sets in? Get rid of the temptation! Organize your co-workers to advocate for healthy food choices. Start a walking group with your colleagues. Workers who are sedentary throughout the workday would have to spend most of their evenings in motion to meet the recommended 10,000 steps a day. Incorporate more physical activity in your day by forming a walking group to keep each other motivated. In This Issue What’s Happening Today NPHW Blog Series Public Health in the News Take Action Today! Resources What’s Happening Today Along with continued efforts to spread the word about the Healthiest Nation in One Generation campaign and video, here are some of the NPHW events taking place across the nation: Building the Foundation for a Healthy America: Media Power and Responsibility, College Park, Maryland "Unnatural Causes-Place Matters" Movie Screening, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania National Start Walking Day Event, Louisville, Kentucky Health Fair: Pathways to a Healthier You, Topeka, Kansas Want to know what is happening in your community? Visit the NPHW Event Calendar for a complete list of submitted events that are taking place around the nation. You can also get the word out about any NPHW events that you’re organizing. NPHW Blog Series Today’s blog entry will explore the impact of where we work on our health. Visit www.nphw.blogspot.com to check it out. Public Health in the News Here are some recent stories on NPHW from around the nation, as well as a selection of stories from the NPHW Twitter: Schwarzenegger, stars lobby for U.S. health reform (Reuters, 4/7) Living happier, healthier lives (Ventura County Star, 4/7) Poll: Majority Would Pay Higher Taxes For Universal Health Care (CBS News, 4/6) Prevention best 'cure' for many health problems (Daily Citizen, 4/6) Take Action Today! Help build awareness of public health's critical role in ensuring a healthy America! Send a letter to your members of Congress each day of NPHW that focuses on the different settings through which our health is impacted. Wednesday: Your Workplace - Supporting healthy employees and healthy businesses Urge your legislators to recognize the importance of public health as the foundation of our health system and to work to prioritize public health in the health reform debate. NPHW Resources NPHW Toolkit NPHW Brochure Download logos Get Facts Click here for more…