National Public Health Week 2025

Day 1: Power of Public Health

Proximate Learning celebrates the power of public health to protect and uplift communities across the country during this year’s National Public Health Week! For the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week, we want to highlight the work the public health agencies have done to advocate for the health of all communities. Health isn't just about preventing disease but about ensuring everyone has a fair opportunity to live a healthy life, no matter their background, income, or education. Given the current landscape of health, public health plays a critical role in addressing the urgent challenges that get us one step closer to that ultimate goal. Through developing trainings, curricula, supportive resources, and evidence-based approaches, Proximate Learning supports the next generation of public health leaders working for lasting change. Let’s uplift the work, the workers, and, most importantly, the communities that make public health possible!

Day 2: Mental Health is Public Health

On this second day of National Public Health Week, Proximate Learning recognizes that mental health is public health. According to the NIH, approximately more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, which totaled 59.3 million individuals in 2022 (National Institutes of Health, 2022). Over the past few years, we’ve seen a significant positive shift in mental health awareness and greater integration into public health, but barriers, such as access, stigma, and systemic inequities, continue to prevent too many people from getting the support they need. In these uncertain times, it is important that public health practitioners prioritize their mental well-being. Our mission to empower professionals and cultivate learning systems within and across health agencies directly contributes to the mental health and well-being of the public health workforce. Investing in workforce mental health isn’t just about internal wellness but about creating a long-lasting impact that cultivates healthier, more resilient communities.

Day 3: Climate Action for Health

Climate action is not just about protecting the planet, it’s essential to safeguarding public health! The health of people, animals, and the environment are interconnected (Brown, H.L., et al., 2024). COVID-19 demonstrated this interdependence.  With climate change, we are seeing changes in the habitats of disease vectors, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and modified disease transmission cycles (Mora, C. et al., 2022). These shifts lead to changes in infectious diseases, from accelerating the transmission of certain diseases to expanding affected areas. For non-communicable diseases, we know that transportation-related emissions, which comprise 28.5% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, are linked to stress, obesity, and cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. In addition to lowering emissions, switching to active transportation—like bicycling, walking, or public transportation—improves social well-being and physical activity (Rudolph, L., et al., 2018). It is clear that the health of our planet is intrinsically linked to the health of its inhabitants. To mitigate these impacts, global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect vulnerable populations, and build resilient systems are critical.

At Proximate Learning, we are dedicated to fostering healthy environments. Our mission is to support the public health workforce in being ready to tackle both global and local challenges facing our communities.

Day 4: Optimizing Health for All

From epidemiologists and health educators to community health workers and policy experts, public health professionals are at the forefront of efforts to prevent disease, promote well-being, and work toward health equity. Health equity is the concept that everyone, regardless of their race, income, education, or geographic location, should have the opportunity to achieve their highest level of health. Health disparities are prevalent across many communities, and the public health workforce works tirelessly to reduce these disparities by addressing the social determinants of health, such as access to healthcare, discrimination, education, housing, and employment. By tackling these underlying factors, public health professionals help to level the playing field, ensuring that people receive the care and resources they need to lead healthier lives. When health inequities are addressed, entire communities thrive. By prioritizing health equity, the public health workforce ensures that all people, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

During National Public Health Week, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of public health professionals and reaffirm our commitment to advancing health equity. It’s a reminder that when we work together, we can create a healthier, more just world for everyone.

Day 5: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce

As National Public Health Week comes to an end, one message rings louder than ever: our public health workforce is the backbone of a healthier, more resilient nation. The past few years have shown us the critical role that public health professionals play — not only in responding to emergencies like COVID-19 but also in addressing chronic disease, mental health, environmental hazards, and health equity.

Yet, even as the demands on this workforce grow, many public health agencies and departments face challenges like funding cuts, staffing shortages, and burnout. These barriers threaten our ability to respond quickly and effectively to public health threats.

Public health saves lives every day — often quietly, behind the scenes. Let’s advocate for those who protect our communities to ensure they have the resources, recognition, and resilience they need to keep doing their vital work. Strengthening the public health workforce isn’t just important — it’s essential for our future.

References

Brown, H.L., Pursley, I.G., Horton, D.L. et al. One health: a structured review and commentary on trends and themes. One Health Outlook 6, 17 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-024-00111-x

Mora, C., McKenzie, T., Gaw, I.M. et al. Over half of known human pathogenic diseases can be aggravated by climate change. Nat. Clim. Chang. 12, 869–875 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01426-1

Rudolph, L., Harrison, C., Buckley, L. & North, S. (2018). Climate Change, Health, and Equity: A Guide for Local Health Departments. Oakland, CA and Washington D.C., Public Health Institute and American Public Health Association.