It’s National Public Health Week. Health departments throughout the nation raising awareness this week of health issues.

The Kane County Health Department joins with communities all across the United States to recognize National Public Health Week in an effort to raise awareness of issues important to improving the public's health. The theme for 2012, “A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement,” is a broad vision to get across the message.

“This year’s theme encourages us and our communities to take preventive measures to help improve all of our lives. Little steps can lead to big changes,” said Kane County Health Department Executive Director Paul Kuehnert.

In addition to highlighting five daily themes, National Public Health Week will also see the release of the Third Annual County Health Rankings Tuesday, April 3. Check www.kanehealth.com to learn of Kane County’s ranking.

Each of the five daily themes chosen by the American Public Health Association for this year’s NPHW campaign coincides with the cross-cutting components of the Kane County health Department’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). For example:

• Active Living and Healthy Eating

       CHIP Priority: Increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and access to safe playgrounds, trails and open space.

• Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

       CHIP Priority: Reducing tobacco use and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

• Communicable Diseases

        CHIP Priority: Increase the proportion of residents who have regular, ongoing sources of medical and dental care; increase the number of residents who receive appropriate preventative services

• Reproductive Health

        CHIP Priority: Eliminate racial disparities in health outcomes, especially infant mortality

• Mental and Emotional Well-Being

        CHIP Priority: Support and create health promoting neighborhoods, towns and cities; Promote social, economic and educational environments and that optimize health.

You can follow along on social media as the Health Department highlights individual priorities throughout the week. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kanehealth and on Twitter at @KaneCoHealth. For more on National Public Health Week you can visit our health Focus Page at www.kanehealth.com.