By Trish Svoboda

Governor Laura Kelly declared the week of April 1-7, 2024, as National Public Health Week in Kansas. This proclamation serves to honor the dedicated public health workers who tirelessly work to ensure the safety and security of our state.

KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek expressed her enthusiasm about the ongoing evolution of public health professionals’ crucial work. She stated, “The transformative work of public health professionals over the years continues to positively impact the health of our state and nation. National Public Health Week is an excellent opportunity to underscore the significance of our collaborations with health, environmental, and other professionals. It allows us to spotlight not only our current efforts but also future initiatives aimed at enhancing public health in Kansas.”

Public health professionals play a pivotal role in assisting communities to prevent, prepare for, mitigate, and recover from a variety of threats. These include health threats like communicable diseases, natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and severe storms, as well as human-induced disasters and public health emergencies.

KDHE aims to utilize National Public Health Week as a platform to enlighten public policymakers and public health professionals about issues crucial to the betterment of Kansans’ health. This aligns perfectly with this year’s theme, “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” The national event, through daily engagement, emphasizes that public health extends beyond mere healthcare. It encourages collective action to realize public health objectives.