Every year, local health districts across the country band together to recognize National Public Health Week, a week where we create connections within the community. This year, we’re focusing on how we strengthen and support the very foundation of our health and our communities. By working together, we can achieve health equity and, eventually, become the healthiest nation.

Every day this week, we are highlighting a different theme or program available through the Spokane Regional Health District.

There is no denying that the last year has been challenging for all. We’ve all had to make adjustments during this “new normal” but as more people get their COVID-19 vaccinations, we can start looking forward to a future of smiling faces and gathering once again with our loved ones.

COVID-19 has made apparent the health inequities within our community. So while celebrating National Public Health Week and the strides that we have made, it’s just as important to recognize the vital work that still needs to be done. We are proud to have a dedicated champion and equity team to ensure we are always looking through the equity lens when we’re building programs and services. In addition, SRHD has adopted a Health Equity Resolution that shows our recognition of health inequities in our community and our commitment to devote resources and work collectively to progress towards meaningful and lasting change.

We lead and collaborate in a variety of community health initiatives by offering programs for pregnant women, young children and families including WIC, Nurse Family Partnership and Early Support for Infants and Toddlers. By aiming to improve the health in our community every day, not just during National Public Health Week, we can lay the foundation today for a healthier future tomorrow.

Environmental Public Health, one of the oldest public health professions, works to reduce the effect of the environment on people by monitoring and addressing hazards that may affect our community’s health. By preventing diseases and injuries from environmental hazards, we can all have access to things like safe food, clean drinking water and healthy indoor air, no matter what zip code we live in.

So, the next time you’re dropping off your child at school, dining at a restaurant, or swimming at a local pool, you can be sure that the Environmental Public Health team is doing our part to keep our community healthy and safe.

To conclude National Public Health Week, we recognize the resilient spirit in the people of Spokane County. While the world grappled with a pandemic, public health continued to maintain the health and safety of our community.

One of the ways we have continued to provide a continuity of assistance is through our state and federally-accredited Opioid Treatment Program. By providing counseling and medically-assisted treatment we can help curb the negative, far-reaching effects of opioid dependency and help to promote improved work, school, and family lives not only for those dependent on opioids but for the whole community.

Though National Public Health Week is one week every year, public health works every day to make a difference in peoples’ lives throughout the year. We are grateful to our public health workers, our healthcare partners, first responders and everyone that helps to support the health of our community.