Smithville, Tenn. – Join the DeKalb County Health Department in working to help DeKalb County as part of a growing movement to create the healthiest nation in one generation! That’s the goal of National Public Health Week, celebrated April 3-9, 2017. NPHW is a time to celebrate the power of prevention and share strategies for successful partnerships in building a strong public health system and improving community health.

“We have to tackle the root causes of poor health and risks for illness and disease to ensure everyone has a chance at a long and healthy life,” said Michael Railling, County Health Director. “Those causes are rooted in how and where we live, learn, work and play. We can build healthier communities by working with public and private partners to make decisions with people’s health in mind and provide and encourage more opportunities for healthy behavior.”

The DeKalb County Health Department is focusing efforts to improve public health on “The Big Four,” the behaviors that are the biggest contributors to death and chronic disease in our state:  Physical inactivity, excessive caloric intake, tobacco use and other substance use disorders.

The DeKalb County Health Department is taking an active role in the health of the community through the Tennessee Department of Health’s Primary Prevention Initiative. This statewide effort challenges county health department staff members to develop projects in collaboration with community partners to address a health need in their communities.

This year’s National Public Health Week focus areas include building Generation Public Health, a movement to ensure conditions where everyone has the opportunity to be healthy, and encouraging people to be advocates for public health and take one small action each day for a healthier life.

National Public Health Week is sponsored by the American Public Health Association. Learn more at www.nphw.org.