Washington, D.C., November 12, 2008
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The American Public Health Association (APHA) commends Sen.
Max Baucus (D-Mont) for adding his voice to the growing chorus of individuals and organizations asking that the new president and Congress make health reform a priority for 2009. APHA encourages Baucus and others interested in health system reform to establish the importance of prevention and public health as the foundation for reform.
“We are extremely happy that our leaders in Washington have demonstrated a commitment to reforming our failing health system,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of APHA. “However, there can be no successful health reform without the support of a strong public health infrastructure. We must make sure that any discussion of health reform includes a focus on community-based prevention along with clinical and other preventive services, as well as a dedication to supporting our nation’s public health system.”
APHA, supported by its thousands of members and professional allies, will work with Congress to ensure that health reform discussions include these important components. To this end, National Public Health Week (NPHW), April 6-12, 2009, will serve as the launch of the APHA’s new campaign – Building the Foundation for a Healthy America.
The campaign aims to insert public health into current policy discussions directed at addressing the problems within the U.S. health system. Through NPHW and beyond, APHA and its members, partners and affiliated state public health associations will come together to focus on ensuring that core public health principles such as preventing disease and promoting health are the foundation upon which our nation’s current dialogue about health reform is built.
For over a decade, the American Public Health Association has organized National Public Health Week to educate the public, policy-makers and the public health community about critical public health challenges the nation is facing. Visit www.nphw.org to learn more about this year’s campaign and the role public health must play in building the foundation for a healthy America.