Travis County Commssioners Court
April 1, 2003
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Item 3
Number 3 is to approve resolution declaring April 7 through April 13, 2003, as a national public health week in Travis County. Someone else would like to read this one?
>> okay. Whereas over the past 50 years the united states has achieved significant increases in life expectancy and reductions in the incident of injury, disability and disease; whereas the 30 additional years of life expectancy we have gained since the turn of the 20th century, the public health approach is credited with the majority of approximately 25 years of improvements in our health status and expanded life expectancy. And whereas public health succeeds by identifying and addressing patterns of disease, illness and injury, in populations and public health surveillance serves on the front line in the battle against bioterrorism. Whereas the use of population based strategies [inaudible], public health contributed to the design of illness and injury, including heart disease and stroke to [inaudible] related diseases, infectious diseases, motor vehicle and workplace injuries, whereas national public health week provides the opportunity for the public and public health professionals to learn about public health concerns and success stories, which are vital to healthy community such as immunizing against infectious disease, maintaining good nutritional standards, providing good prenatal care. Whereas the national public health week theme for 2003, overweight and obesity seeks to educate america about the health risks, best provides americans with recommendations on healthy eating and active living, therefore be it resolved that we the Travis County Commissioners court do here by declare the week of April 7th through 13 as national public health week in Travis County and recognize the efforts, of public health professionals, to ensure the health and future of our community. Do here by state our firm support and appreciation for all the public health does for this great county. I would move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning.
>> good morning.
>> I would like to recognize the contribution of our public health workforce, our many partners in the community in terms of community [inaudible] organizations, also our other public health partners, centers for disease control. As was indicated the average life span in the united states that increased substantially over the last century, in a significant portion of this increase is attributable to the improvements in public health and public health related interventions. We are involved in a wide range of activities, including prevention and protection as it relates to communicable diseases, protecting the food in our -- in our community, addressing environmental issues, health promotion and wellness as it relates to prevery muching chronic diseases, addressing the issue of significant disparities in health status among various populations in our community. More recently with a heightened emphasis on emergency preparedness, both related to natural and potential man made threats in our community. I just want to acknowledge two events that we will have schedule during this week. One is we will have an open house at our public health division on Tuesday, April 8th, from 11:00 this in the morning until 2:00 p.m. At the rbj building at 15 waller street, fourth floor. And also as I know you are well aware, we have many activities that provide for health, screening, health promotion throughout our community, throughout the year. But during public health week, we are going to have a special event at the highland fall from April 12th from 8:00 to 2:00, this will include a lot of information, also health screening services. I would like to acknowledge shannon jones our assistant director for public health for some comments.
>> thanks very much. I just want to thank the daughter for the opportunity to assist in the efforts that we are taking across this opportunity. We are working very hard to improve the health status of this community. As david indicated we are working in a variety of areas to do that. Special things that we would like to do, given this most difficult budget year, to support [inaudible] as we go into this budget year for the support that you provided for us last year, as we look forward to the next year. At the national level, the national public health agenda is obesity and improving lifestyles. Look at the leading causes of death in this country, we are up to -- roughly two-thirds of those can be attributed to obesity in lifestyle. Almost two-thirds of the population of this nation is either overweight or obese. Those contribute to heart disease, cancer, diabetes and many other causes of death. If we were able to make just a single dent in terms of the numbers of people who are obese, we can significantly reduce the -- the un-- the loss of life prematurely. Nationally, state-wide, here in the county, we would like to thank you for your support, encourage you to participate in the events that we have and encourage you to make a difference in Travis County. Thank you very much.
>> thank you, we appreciate your work.
>> all in favor. That passes by unanimous vote.
>> will we getting a dietary cookies on April 8th.
>> open house.
>> yes, sir. [laughter]
Last Modified: Tuesday, April 8, 2003 1:25 PM