Riddle us this, Nerdies!
What is crucial for the well-being of everyone but is all but invisible when it’s working effectively? Public Health, of course!
It’s National Public Health Week, and Those Nerdy Girls would like to show our support to all our public health colleagues and raise up their voices and good deeds. We see you. We value you. We wrap our arms around you.
This year’s theme is Ready. Set. Action! — a call to reflect on how far we’ve come and to keep pushing toward an even healthier future for everyone.
But none of this happened by chance. Behind every public health win are community health workers, medical professionals, scientists, and advocates who pushed — sometimes for decades — for policies built on evidence and a commitment to equity.
Firstly though, what is public health?
Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts of society. (Faculty of Public Health)
When Public Health does a good job, not much happens, and that makes it easier to forget its importance.
Here are some examples:
🚨 Emergency Preparedness & Response
Public Health protects people during and after disasters and crises – think rebuilding of clean water systems and disease prevention after a hurricane or providing support after wildfires.
🛣️ Road Safety & Injury Prevention
Public Health works on reducing accidents and saving lives on the road – think about seat belt laws, car seat regulations for kids or campaigns about wearing bike helmets.
🚭 Tobacco Control
Public Health works on preventing smoking-related illness and death – think graphic warning labels, quitline support, and smoke-free public places.
🚰 Clean Air & Water Standards
Public Health programs work on protecting air and water, the basic stuff we need to live – think The Clean Water Act which helped clean up U.S. rivers and lakes.
💉 Childhood Vaccination Programs
Public Health works on preventing unnecessary childhood deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases – think polio: wiped out in the U.S., think measles: eliminated in the US before recent outbreaks, think tetanus, think diphtheria, think whooping cough.
🧠 Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Public Health works relentlessly to expand access to mental health support, especially for teens, veterans and marginalized groups – think the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) gives people in crisis someone to talk to.
🥫 Food Safety
Public Health’s inspections and standards work on preventing foodborne illnesses – think tracking outbreaks of E. coli and salmonella in foods like lettuce, and working with other agencies to stop them.
❌ Opioid Epidemic & Overdose Prevention
Public Health fights addiction and provides overdose prevention without judgment – think distributing naloxone (Narcan), which has reversed thousands of overdoses, including accidental ones, especially when stocked in schools and libraries.
👶 Maternal & Infant Health
Public Health makes sure that mothers and babies survive and thrive – think programs that educate both healthcare workers and families about life-threatening warning signs and symptoms during pregnancy and after delivery.
🎗️ Cancer Screening & Prevention
Public Health saves lives by working on finding and preventing cancer – think free or low-cost mammograms and colonoscopies provided by public health programs that lead to earlier detection and fewer deaths.
‼️ Gun Violence
Public Health considers gun violence an issue because of the scale of the impact and the effects on the health of communities. – think initiatives focused on safe storage, enhanced background checks, and addressing underlying risk factors, such as trauma and systemic issues.
This list is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Public Health initiatives. We acknowledge that there are things that Public Health needs to get better at, and many people are working toward this every day. But one thing is clear: WE ALL DO BETTER WHEN WE ALL DO BETTER (Paul Wellstone). In that spirit, let’s celebrate and support our public health heroes who work relentlessly behind the scenes every day.
So how can *you* help support Public Health?
Here are some suggestions from the American Public Health Association.
Your voice makes a difference in the policymaking process. Get involved and help shape the national debate on public health issues.
The Public Health Awareness Week 2026 Priority Areas are listed below. Click on each one to learn more.
Ready. Set. ACTION! Government Partners
Ready. Set. ACTION! Scientific Advancement
Ready. Set. ACTION! Community Leadership
Ready. Set. ACTION! You Partner with Public Health
Sources:
American Public Health Association – Topics and Issues
National Public Health Week – Themes and Facts
