Connecticut Public Health Association NPHW 2025:
April 7th-13th, 2025
Alt text: NPHW Graphic on blue background. 30 Years NPHW. National Public Health Week It Starts Here April 7 - 18, 2025.
Public health starts with each of us making a difference in our homes and communities. It’s how the places we live, work and play affect our well-being. It’s the way we are all stronger—and healthier—together through the efforts of organizations like the American Public Health Association and others that advocate for healthy communities. Join us for the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week to celebrate successes, look ahead to upcoming challenges and create a vision for the future.
Belonging, community and cultural connections can affect our health, well-being and overall quality of life. Let’s continue partnering across public, private and cultural spheres to create healthier people, families, communities and eventually the healthiest nation. We can do it — if we work together.
We hope during NPHW 2025 you will spark new conversations and engage new stakeholders in your community. The future of public health depends on collaboration and our commitment to making it accessible to all. Together we can make our communities happier, healthier and stronger! Each year, National Public Health Week provides new tools and tips to help you effectively shape and promote activities and key messages during the week. We hope these resources will help you continue to engage your communities to promote public health and prevention.
National Public Health Week is coming up fast, and we want you to join us! CPHA will be recognizing the work of public health and taking part in the week by hosting events and connecting you to other Region 1 activities.
You can learn more about National Public Health Week at here. We look forward to celebrating with you!
During each day of National Public Health Week, we focus on a particular public health topic. Then, we identify ways each of us can make a difference on that topic. These areas are critical to our future success in creating the healthiest nation, and everyone can do their part to help, click on the links below:
5 Priority Areas:
1. It Starts Here: Your Health is Our mission
Alt text: Graphic celebrating 30 years of National Public Health Week (NPHW) with the theme ‘It Starts Here.’ The background features a gradient blue-to-teal design. At the top, a ‘30 Years NPHW’ logo includes a circular icon with people and a dotted heart-shaped line that adds a decorative element to the background. Below, three action items are listed in rounded white boxes:
1. Support mental health: Volunteer or donate to mental health initiatives in your community.
2. Foster connections: Build strong relationships with neighbors to support community well-being.
3. Build accessible parks: Advocate for parks and green spaces that are inclusive for all ages and abilities.
Did you know Americans live an average of 35 years longer today than they did when APHA was founded over 150 years ago? This incredible progress is thanks to public health efforts improving the well-being of communities across the nation and around the world.
Public health isn’t just for a single person—it’s for you, your friends, your family and everyone in your community. Public health affects how we all live, work, and play— it’s an invisible force that protects our safety and well-being.
Public health continues to prioritize health at every level, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Recent efforts have led to the eradication of various diseases in regions across the globe, the expansion of vaccination programs to protect children and older adults, and the securing of funding for foundational public health services to address urgent needs like reproductive care, behavioral health and climate resilience.
Public health starts with
You
Supporting mental health in your community
Volunteer for a local mental health organization. Attend events, such as walks and fundraisers, that support the mental health movement. If you or someone you know needs mental health services, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. You can also call, text, or chat 988 to connect with a trained counselor through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Getting to know your neighbors
Having a strong community is one of the strongest indicators for health aging. Social cohesion means building strong connections with the people around you, which strengthens your community’s well-being. Consider offering a helping hand to your neighbors, like running errands for someone without transportation or sharing extra garden produce.
Communities/Neighborhoods
Making healthy food accessible to all
Bringing farmers markets, mobile markets and community-supported agriculture programs to underserved areas increases access to healthy, affordable food. These programs support local farmers and make fresh produce more available to low-income communities. Hosting farmers markets or mobile markets in local spaces also helps build community connections while promoting healthier eating.
Building accessible parks and community gathering spaces
Parks and green spaces foster healthy communities by offering safe, inclusive environments for people of all ages and abilities to connect, stay active, and support their mental and physical well-being. Creating more accessible parks ensures that everyone can enjoy these benefits, promoting both individual health and community well-being.
City/State
Preparing residents for emergencies and crises
There is a need to build stronger emergency preparedness systems to help communities respond to natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and other crises. This includes providing residents with essential resources, education and training so they can stay safe and protect their families during emergencies.
Expanding access to reproductive health services
City and state governments can support community well-being by funding clinics that offer family planning, STI testing, counseling, and safe, legal abortion services. Making these services accessible and affordable ensures that everyone can get the care they need.
Nation
Building a stronger, more inclusive public health system
Creating a fair and sustainable public health system requires everyone’s participation. This includes public health workers, health care providers, community organizers, faith-based groups, businesses, schools, government and more. By collaborating with non-traditional partners, we can create a more inclusive and effective public health system that benefits everyone.
Investing in the public health workforce
We can strengthen the public health workforce by providing more training and support for public health professionals. This investment ensures that workers have the skills and resources to respond to current and future health challenges.
- Resource for communicating about public health (DeBeaumont Foundation). Based on research with more than 1,600 U.S. adults, the de Beaumont Foundation identified five big ideas — key public health concepts that many people don’t understand and that are essential to conveying the value and importance of public health. By addressing these knowledge gaps, you can help people understand what public health is and how it’s relevant to their lives. You can use the research-based talking points and examples below to fill knowledge gaps as you engage with community members.
- Come join the 2025 CPHA Keep It Moving Challenge from April 7th through April 21st 2025 to work on addressing your physical and social health needs through teamwork.
- Now let’s get moving, combat loneliness, and have some fun! CPHA looks forward to connecting with you all virtually via our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) using the hashtag: #CPHAwalksforwellness
Click here for more information
2. Climate Action Starts Here: Building Resilience for Health
Alt text: Graphic celebrating 30 years of National Public Health Week with the title ‘Climate Action Starts Here.’ The background features a gradient blue-to-teal design. At the top, a ‘30 Years NPHW’ logo includes a circular icon with people and a dotted heart-shaped line that adds a decorative element to the background. Below, three action items are listed in rounded white boxes:
1. Stay informed: Monitor air quality and weather alerts to protect your health.
2. Promote education: Host or join community discussions about climate solutions.
3. Plan ahead: Create an emergency plan to protect your health and home.
Climate change impacts both physical and mental health through rising temperatures, poor air quality, extreme weather events and disrupted ecosystems. These effects are felt most in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods, which have faced years of underinvestment and systemic inequities, making them more vulnerable to climate risks. However, there is hope and a clear path forward. By taking bold and equitable action, we can reduce the health effects of climate change and build stronger, healthier communities. Solutions include rapidly transitioning to clean energy, improving energy efficiency, and supporting sustainable food systems.
Climate action starts with...
You
Staying prepared
As the climate changes, longer allergy seasons, increased pests and extreme heat are becoming more common. Be prepared by staying informed about pollen levels and pest risks and include these factors in your emergency preparedness plan. Know when to limit outdoor activities during high pollen days or heat
waves to protect your health. Identify safe spaces in case of extreme weather and take steps to keep your home and family safe from pests like ticks and mosquitos.
Becoming a climate for health ambassador
The Climate for Health Ambassadors Training is a free online training designed to build your climate and health knowledge. You can learn how to communicate and encourage action on climate, health and equity.
Communities/Neighborhoods
Supporting local climate education and awareness
Join or organize community workshops, school programs, or public talks about climate change and sustainable practices. Educating residents on climate issues and solutions can foster greater action and help build community-wide support for climate initiatives. Utilize APHA’s Climate and Health Youth Education Toolkit to give guest lectures at your local school.
Creating trauma-informed community support initiatives
The intensity of extreme weather events like flooding and storms is leading to adverse mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in communities. To build community-wide mental resilience and heal trauma, local coalitions and community organizations can create a diverse set of activities that are group-oriented, adaptable and culturally appropriate (e.g., support groups, healing circles, expressive therapies, nature-based therapies, memorial events, etc.) for various ages and backgrounds.
City/State
Investing in disaster preparedness and response
City and state emergency management programs should work with public health and communities to prepare, respond, and recover effectively from climate-related disasters. This can include supporting community resilience hubs that provide cooling stations, emergency supplies, and educational resources to help communities prepare for climate-related disasters.
Building resilient cities for all
Cities and states should invest in climate-friendly transportation options such as accessible public transit or walking or biking for short trips. They can adopt “Smart Surfaces” to combat extreme heat, flooding, and air pollution. Smart Surfaces improve public health and save cities money by reducing overall energy costs and minimizing damage from extreme weather.
Nation
Phasing out fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy
Fossil fuel-driven air pollution increases the risk of health conditions including lung disease, heart disease, depression and poor birth outcomes. Most of the fossil fuel supply chain and infrastructure are located in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. The fastest and most equitable approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution is to stop using fossil fuels and end new exploration for oil.
Increasing access to affordable and energy-efficient housing
The federal government can take the lead in addressing energy insecurity by expanding access to affordable and energy-efficient housing. Low-income communities often face high energy costs and struggle to maintain proper heating and cooling, which impacts their health and well-being. Federal programs should focus on improving energy efficiency in affordable housing and fostering partnerships with community organizations to implement these solutions effectively across the country.
3. Health Equity Starts Here: Optimizing Health for All
Alt text: Graphic celebrating 30 years of National Public Health Week with the title ‘Health Equity Starts Here.’ The background features a gradient blue-to-teal design. At the top, a ‘30 Years NPHW’ logo includes a circular icon with people and a dotted heart-shaped line that adds a decorative element to the background.. Below, three action items are listed in rounded white boxes:
1. Vote for health equity: Support leaders and policies that address systemic health inequities.
2. Engage in dialogue: Encourage conversations with friends and neighbors about health equity.
3. Champion access to care: Advocate for telehealth and other inclusive healthcare services in your community.
Health equity is important because it means that all individuals have access to the resources and opportunities needed to achieve their full health potential, regardless of socioeconomic, racial, geographic, or disability-related disparities. By addressing the root causes of health inequities, such as discrimination, unequal access to care and barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, communities can reduce preventable diseases and improve overall well-being. For example, the expansion of telehealth services has been a significant public health win, improving access to care for people with mobility or transportation challenges and those in rural areas. Promoting health equity fosters healthier populations, reduces health care costs and builds more resilient societies.
Advancing health equity starts with...
You
Voting with equity in mind
Voting is an important way to make sure everyone’s voice is heard and to support policies and solutions that improve public health. Talk to friends and neighbors about the importance of civic participation. Support candidates and policies that prioritize health equity and work to address systemic inequities.
Creating and engaging in conversation
Hosting informal discussions about equity with family, friends, or coworkers can be a powerful way to spark awareness and inspire action. Create a safe space to share ideas, learn from different perspectives and build momentum for advancing equity in everyday life.
Communities/Neighborhoods
Involving communities in health equity initiatives
To advance health equity, members of your community should be provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the planning process of programs, solutions and policies aimed at advancing equity. Community members can play an important role in identifying local health needs, strengths and the resources needed to improve health.
Being direct
For communities to thrive, local organizations and public health professionals must be clear and direct when working toward health equity. This means naming the specific groups affected by inequities and clearly outlining the actions needed to close health gaps. Being direct helps ensure that people in need receive the resources and support necessary to improve their health. It also prevents misunderstandings or vague plans that could unintentionally make health disparities worse.
City/State
Adopting a “Health in All Policies” approach
Look for ways to work across different sectors, like education and housing. This involves improving vulnerable populations’ access to healthy foods, safe housing, reliable transportation, quality education, equitable employment, safe green spaces and opportunities for economic development.
Measuring and evaluating progress on reducing health disparities
We need to track how health gaps are closing over time. This means collecting data to see if people have better access to health care, if health outcomes are improving, and if barriers to care like poverty or accessibility are being reduced. By measuring these things, we can see what’s working and make better decisions to create equal opportunities for everyone to thrive.
Nation
Addressing racism and racial implicit bias
The nation must take a unified approach to identify and effectively address racism and racial implicit bias. Many organizations, including state public health associations, have declared racism a public health crisis. However, health agencies at all levels—local, state and national—must explicitly acknowledge and address the racially discriminatory policies that have created and continue to enable health inequities. By taking coordinated action across the country, we can work to dismantle systemic racism.
Improving access to quality health care
Access to health care remains a burden for many people. Proper prioritization and funding to close health care coverage gaps, including the price of drugs, is essential to ensure that people can get the care they need when a public health issue arises.
- Health Equity Solutions (HES)
- Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health at the CT General Assembly
- Proclamation that this week is Health Equity Week in CT and praise for the governor having signed it
- In honor of National Public Health Week, local health departments/districts across the state will be hosting the second annual SAVE A LIFE DAY on April 9, 2025. This initiative aims to educate the community on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose by administering Naloxone. Local health departments/districts will be hosting FREE trainings and distributing Naloxone kits throughout the day. For more information on who is participating and how to register, please see the attached flyer!
save_a_life_day_4.9.25__1_.pdf
4. Advocacy Starts Here: Amplifying Voices for Public Health
Alt text: Graphic celebrating 30 years of National Public Health Week with the title ‘Advocacy Starts Here.’ The background features a gradient blue-to-teal design. At the top, a ‘30 Years NPHW’ logo includes a circular icon with people and a dotted heart-shaped line that adds a decorative element to the background. Below, three action items are listed in rounded white boxes:
1. Join local efforts: Partner with grassroots organizations to tackle health challenges.
2. Speak up: Contact policymakers to advocate for health-focused legislation.
3. Celebrate community advocates: Recognize and support trusted community members who lead local public health initiatives.
We’ve all been advocates in our own way. Whether it was asking for a raise, standing up for your child’s needs, or sharing your opinion, we have all used our voices to influence change. Public health advocacy is no different. It’s about using your voice to create a healthier world for everyone.
Advocates have helped create big changes in public health. Because of them, we now have laws that make us wear seatbelts in cars, vaccines that stop us from getting sick, food labels that tell us what we’re eating and rules that keep smoke out of public places. These wins show how using our voices can make life better
and safer for everyone.
Using an equity lens can transform public health advocacy. When we listen to people who face the biggest health challenges and work to fix the deeper problems that cause poor health – like racism and unequal access to care – we create solutions that help all communities thrive.
Public health advocacy starts with...
You
Joining existing grassroots efforts
Connect with local community organizations and your state public health association for a greater impact. When you join a local group, you can work with others to boost community voices, push for changes, and tackle health problems in your area.
Speaking for health
Meet with decisionmakers, use action alerts and inspire your networks to take action.
Voting for health
Support leaders and policies that advance health for all.
Communities/Neighborhoods
Lifting up and celebrating community advocates
Remember that community members are experts in their own experiences and know what solutions will work best. This approach gives power to community members, builds trust and ensures solutions that work for everyone.
Training health professionals to be advocates
Create opportunities to learn the basics of advocacy, including how it differs from lobbying, and remind public health professionals of the importance of free speech and the right to push for change.
City/State
Declaring racism as a public health crisis
Recognize racism’s impact on health and commit to fixing racial inequities through policy and action.
Partnering with community power-building organizations
These groups understand how power affects people’s health and work to fix unfair systems that hurt certain communities. Partnering with these groups makes advocacy stronger by creating lasting solutions.
Nation
Pushing Congress to make public health a top national priority
Lawmakers should pass legislation that safeguards public health funding, infrastructure and authority. At the same time, they must avoid policies that restrict the freedom to advocate for public health policies, like HR9495.
Building coalitions to support healthy policies
Join forces to remove barriers to health and fight for fair access for all communities. When public health advocates unite, we have a stronger voice.
5. The Future of Public Health Starts Here: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce
Alt text: Graphic celebrating 30 years of National Public Health Week with the title ‘The Future of Public Health Starts Here.’ The background features a gradient blue-to-teal design. At the top, a ‘30 Years NPHW’ logo includes a circular icon with people and a dotted heart-shaped line that adds a decorative element to the background. Below, three action items are listed in rounded white boxes:
1. Mentor future leaders: Encourage students to explore careers in public health.
2. Show appreciation: Celebrate public health workers through events, stories and thank-you messages to raise awareness and support.
3. Protect public health officials: Support laws and policies that address threats, ensure safety and provide resources for public health workers.
A strong and resilient public health workforce is key to keeping communities healthy and addressing the nation’s most urgent health challenges. Public health professionals work hard to prevent disease, promote wellness and protect communities.
Investments in education and training can support the public health workforce. Efforts to build a workforce that includes people who are from all backgrounds and who have the skills to tackle health inequalities are helping improve access to health services, share important information, and build trust within communities. We must continue these efforts and more to ensure that public health systems are equipped to meet everyday health needs and respond to crises.
Strengthening the public health workforce starts with...
You
Contacting your members of Congress
Urge your members of Congress to prioritize public health funding in Fiscal Year 2025 before the Subcommittee Markup on June 27 and let them know you want to see funding earmarked for Public Health AmeriCorps and other innovative workforce development models.
Encouraging the next generation through mentorship
Support mentorship programs in schools or community organizations, where students can learn about the impact of public health work. Consider hosting career talks or setting up a job shadowing program. APHA has mentoring and career development resources available for members These efforts can help demystify public health careers, spark interest and build confidence in the next generation of up-and-coming public health professionals.
Communities/Neighborhoods
Supporting policies for a diverse workforce
Advocate for increasing diversity in the public health workforce to ensure it reflects the communities it serves. Support training programs that address implicit bias and build cultural competency, helping public health professionals better understand and meet the unique needs of people of all backgrounds.
Celebrating public health workers
Public Health Thank You Day is observed each November, but public health workers deserve recognition all year long. Organize events, such as appreciation days or award ceremonies, to celebrate public health workers and highlight their contributions. Share their stories, and even simple thank-you messages through social media, newsletters, or local news to raise awareness and build community support.
City/State
Strengthening protections for public health officials
Local government agencies should address threats or incidents targeting public health officials and pursue legal action when appropriate. State and federal agencies can collaborate with local health departments to ensure effective communication during emergencies and provide flexible funding to support community needs, while elected officials can prioritize measures to protect public health workers from violence and threats.
Building leadership pathways
Work with local colleges, universities and training programs to establish clear career pathways for public health professionals. Develop initiatives like internship programs and targeted recruitment campaigns to connect students with public health careers.
Nation
Expanding federal programs
National efforts to strengthen the public health workforce rely on increased funding for vital initiatives. Federal programs, such as those supported by CDC investments, focus on rebuilding and modernizing the workforce to meet current and future challenges. Programs like Public Health AmeriCorps play a significant role in recruiting and training future public health professionals, ensuring they are well-prepared to address the needs of their communities.
Promoting innovation
By embracing technological advancements, we can strengthen the public health workforce and enhance its ability to serve communities. Tools like automated workflows, electronic records and data management platforms can significantly reduce the burden of paperwork and routine processes. Implementing these solutions should be a national priority to ensure a stronger, more effective public health workforce.
- 2025 Connecticut Public Health Next Gen Workforce Showcase
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