07-R187

2007 -- H 6259

Enacted 04/05/07

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING THE WEEK OF APRIL 2-8, 2007 AS NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK

Introduced By: Representatives Dennigan, Ginaitt, and Rose

Date Introduced: April 05, 2007

     WHEREAS, Since 1995, National Public Health Week (NPHW) has been observed each

year during the first week in April. During this year's observance, April 2-8, 2007, American

Public Health Association members and partners will host events throughout the United States,

encouraging all persons, especially vulnerable populations, to "Take the First Step!" toward

creating preparedness plans for public health threats; and

     WHEREAS, Each year since its incorporation in 1995, the public health community has

celebrated this observance by focusing on an issue that is important to improving the public's

health. The American Public Health Association (APHA) serves as the lead organizer of NPHW,

and with the help of its 50,000 members and hundreds of organizational partners, educates the

public, policymakers, and practitioners about the importance of public health. During NPHW

2007, APHA and its partners will encourage Americans to take the first step toward becoming

better prepared for a public health emergency; and

     WHEREAS, Public health services and programs are a high priority for the residents of

the State of Rhode Island. Over the past 50 years, the United States has achieved significant

increases in life expectancy and reductions in the incidence of injury, disability and disease; and

     WHEREAS, Of the additional years of life expectancy gained since the turn of the

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 programs have succeeded in addressing the underlying causes

of ill-health, identifying and addressing patterns of disease, illness, injury, and promoting

healthcare in vulnerable populations; and

     WHEREAS, Using population based strategies for disease and injury prevention, public

health organizations have contributed to the decline in illness and injury, including heart disease

and stroke, tobacco related disease, infectious diseases and motor vehicle and workplace injuries;

and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Public Health Think Tank established by the legislature in

2006 with members from the House of Representatives and the Senate, Scientists, Medical

Providers, the Rhode Island Public Health Association and many other Rhode Island Community

Organizations is working on public health priorities for a healthier Rhode Island; now, therefore

be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby celebrates the week of April 2-8, 2007 as "National Public Health

Week", and encourages all Rhode Islanders to "Take the First Step" to a healthier lifestyle; and be

it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to The Rhode Island Public Health Association.

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LC02853

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