As Congressional #PublicHealth Caucus Co-Chair, I’m co-leading this year's #NationalPublicHealthWeek resolution! Public health workers & public health science are critical to fighting #COVID19, improving Americans' health, & achieving #HealthEquity. @NPHW https://t.co/WlwGjHbxNE
— Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (@RepRoybalAllard) June 29, 2020
On June 29, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., introduced H.Res. 1030, a resolution in support of National Public Health Week urging greater support for public health. The resolution recognizes the efforts of public health professionals in preventing disease and injury and the role of public health in improving health across the U.S., and encouraged strengthening the public health system and increasing efforts and resources to help create the healthiest nation in one generation.
In her news release on the resolution, Representative Roybal-Allard discussed the importance of National Public Health Week. “2020 marks the 25th year of America taking a national week of observance to honor the importance of public health,” said Rep. Roybal-Allard. “It has been my privilege to co-chair the Congressional Public Health Caucus since 2006, and to co-lead the House’s National Public Health Week resolution for the last 10 years. Public health professionals have long been the unsung heroes of our health care system, working quietly in the background to help keep Americans healthy and safe. During this global pandemic, the world is seeing that our public health workforce is truly indispensable, and that public health science is critical to our ongoing battle to defeat COVID-19.”
Representative Roybal-Allard was joined by Representatives Jim McGovern, Mike Simpson and Rob Wittman in introducing the resolution. H.Res. 1030 currently awaits consideration in the House of Representatives.
During #NPHW, we celebrate those in our communities working to keep us safe & healthy. This is especially important this year, as public health workers are on the front lines of #COVID19. I’m fighting for the investments they need to keep doing their jobs. pic.twitter.com/2Poq6H0m5V
— Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) April 10, 2020
On July 28, Sen.Tom Udall, D-N.M., introduced S.Res. 662, the Senate version of the National Public Health Week resolution. Senator Udall was joined by Senators Maggie Hassan, Richard Blumenthal, Angus King, Ben Cardin, Ed Markey, Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Van Hollen, Amy Klobuchar, Martin Heinrich, Catherine Cortez Masto, Sheldon Whitehouse, Tina Smith, Chris Coons and Patty Murray in its introduction. The same day, the Senate passed the resolution by voice vote.
In his news release on the introduction and passage of the resolution, Senator Udall commended the bravery of public health workers. “National Public Health Week is a time to reflect on the hard work we must do to protect our communities, and recognize the bravery of public health workers in New Mexico and across the country who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe,” Udall said. “During National Public Health week, we must renew our commitment to building healthier communities, not just with words, but by investing in the professionals, infrastructure and public health programs that protect us and create a better future. The COVID-19 pandemic is a sobering reminder that the health of each New Mexican and American is linked to the health of all of us, and while we continue to protect others from the global pandemic, we must also take this opportunity to fight for a future where everyone has equitable access to quality and affordable medical care.”
APHA is grateful for the support for NPHW and public health, said APHA Executive Director Georges C. Benjamin, MD.
“Recognizing the contributions of public health workers and the need for a well-resourced public health infrastructure is especially critical this year as we grapple with limiting the short-term and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our communities,” Benjamin said. “We thank Senator Udall, Representative Roybal-Allard, the co-chairs of the Congressional Public Health Caucus and all of the other original cosponsors for introducing this important resolution recognizing National Public Health Week and the important role public health plays in keeping our nation healthy and safe. Their committed leadership and support for public health are essential to our goal of creating the healthiest nation in one generation.”