Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week.

Whereas the week of April 4, 2016, through April 10, 2016, was National Public Health Week; Whereas the theme for National Public Health Week in 2016 was “Healthiest Nation 2030”, with the goal of making the United States the healthiest nation in one generation; Whereas public health organizations use National Public Health Week to educate the public, policymakers, and public health professionals on issues that are important to improving the health of the people of the United States; Whereas the value of a strong public health system is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the places where we all live, learn, work, and play; Whereas there is a significant difference in the health status, such as obesity, poor mental health and infectious disease, of people living in the healthiest States compared to people living in the least healthy States; Whereas public health professionals help communities prevent, prepare for, withstand, and recover from the impact of a full range of health threats, including disease outbreaks such as the Zika virus, natural disasters, and disasters caused by human activity; Whereas public health professionals collaborate with partners that are not in the health sector, such as city planners, transportation officials, education officials, and private sector businesses, recognizing that other sectors have an important influence on health; Whereas according to the National Academy of Medicine, despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States ranks below many other economically prosperous and developing countries with respect to measures of health, including life expectancy, infant mortality rates, low birth weight rates, and the rate of drug-related deaths, which has increased 200 percent since 2000 for overdose deaths involving opioids; Whereas studies show that small strategic investments in prevention can result in significant savings in health care costs; Whereas each 10 percent increase in local public health spending contributes to a 6.9 percent decrease in infant deaths, a 3.2 percent decrease in deaths related to cardiovascular disease, a 1.4 percent decrease in deaths due to diabetes, and a 1.1 percent decrease in cancer-related deaths; Whereas in communities across the country, more people are changing the way they care for their health by avoiding tobacco use, eating healthier, becoming more physically active, and preventing unintentional injuries at home and in the workplace; Whereas despite having a high infant mortality rate compared to other economically prosperous and developing countries, and the death rate varying greatly among States, overall the United States is making steady progress, with the infant mortality rate reaching a historic low of 5.8 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2014; Whereas the percentage of adults smoking cigarettes in the United States, the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, decreased from 20.9 percent in 2005 to 16.8 percent in 2014; and Whereas efforts to adequately support public health and prevention can continue to transform a health system focused on treating illness to a health system focused on preventing disease and promoting wellness: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week; (2) recognizes the efforts of public health professionals, the Federal Government, States, tribes, municipalities, local communities, and individuals in preventing disease and injury; (3) recognizes the role of public health in improving the health of individuals in the United States; (4) encourages increased efforts and resources to improve the health of people in the United States to create the healthiest nation in one generation through— (A) greater opportunities to improve community health and prevent disease and injury; and (B) strengthening the public health system in the United States; and (5) encourages the people of the United States to learn about the role of the public health system in improving health in the United States.

Summary: Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week. Recognizes the efforts of public health professionals, governments, tribes, and individuals in preventing disease and injury. Encourages increased efforts and resources to improve the health of people in the United States to create the healthiest nation in one generation through greater opportunities to improve community health and by strengthening the public health system.