Health Department celebrates National Public Health Week

This year marks the 100th anniversary of two legislative acts that shaped the future of public health in Ohio. The Hughes Act and Griswold Act, both enacted in 1919, established the modern day health departments.

The theme of National Public Health Week, April 1-7, is “How the past has made public health matter.”

Public health has had a significant impact on health and quality of life: People are living an average of 25 years longer; small pox has been eradicated; motor vehicle fatalities have been reduced by 90 percent and deaths from sudden infant death syndrome have decreased 50 percent.

Also among the accomplishments: immunizations for children and adults, the control of infectious diseases, reduction of tobacco use, safer and healthier foods; better maternal and infant health care; increased preventative screenings and public health preparedness and response.