798: Public Health Thank You Day

JANSON SILVERS: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Monday, November, 25 2024. I'm Janson Silvers. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Today is Public Health Thank You Day, a time when we step back and take a moment to simply say, 'Thank you,' to all those in public health. On today's newscast, we have a few special thank you messages we would like to share. First, ASTHO President, Dr. Scott Harris.

SCOTT HARRIS: 

 Hello, I'm Dr. Scott Harris, the president of ASTHO and the state health officer for the state of Alabama. Each year, on the Monday before Thanksgiving, we celebrate Public Health Thank You Day, and I'm honored to be able to express my sincere appreciation for the wonderful work being done by public health professionals throughout the country. Thank you for the tremendous job you do every day to prevent disease, to improve safety and reduce injury, to support our health care systems, to keep our food and water safe, to promote health and wellness, and to protect our most vulnerable. Thank you to each one of you, From the bottom of my heart. Our public health workforce is comprised of compassionate and dedicated men and women who care about their communities and about helping us all achieve our full potential. No one's life or health should be harmed by preventable causes beyond their control. We believe in public health that everyone deserves an opportunity to live their best and healthiest lives, and I'm truly grateful for all you're doing to make this possible. As I often say to people who ask me what public health is all about, 'Public health saved your life today, you just didn't know it.' The work that we do is often behind the scenes, and our impact can go unnoticed until there is a crisis that calls us into the spotlight. We may feel like we labor in anonymity, but public health work is truly important and truly matters. So, please accept my gratitude for your service and dedication and for all the things that you do every day. Thank you. Be well and keep up the good work.

SILVERS: 

ASTHO CEO, Dr. Joseph Cantor also has some kind words he would like to pass on.

JOSEPH KANTER: 

Hi, I'm Joe Kanter, the CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. I want to wish you a very happy and meaningful Public Health Thank You  Day. When I get asked, 'What is it that public health does?' I say, 'A whole, whole heck of a lot. You just probably didn't realize it.' The nature of our work is that it often happens in the background without people knowing, and for that reason, people can lose sight of the highly impactful work that our colleagues do day in and day out. I want you to know that your work is important. I want you to know that your work literally saves lives and allows communities to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Our work is important, and it's vital that we take the time to recognize that your work is known, your work is appreciated and your work is valuable. Thank you for what you do.

SILVERS: 

ASTHO has also shared these messages online. You can use the link in the show notes to learn more. Plus, it isn't just ASTHO celebrating. The American Public Health Association is also taking time to honor the men and women who go to work every day for the good of others. Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director at the American Public Health Association, also shares his thoughts for Public Health Thank You Day.

GEORGES BENJAMIN: 

So, we just want to spend the time to thank our heroes, those of you who get up each and every day who are promoting the public's health, and I encourage you to both not just take the pleasure of being in public health, but also to understand that we thank you for what you do.

SILVERS: 

APHA has a lot more information on Public Health Thank You Day and ways to celebrate public health for the entire week. Check it out by clicking the link in the show notes.

Finally, this morning, stay up-to-date on all things public health, including celebrations like Public Health Thank You Day by signing up for ASTHO's Public Health Weekly newsletter. Get the latest public health news delivered straight to your inbox each and every week. As always, the link to sign up is in the show notes.

That'll do it for today. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Janson Silvers. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.