WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall announced that he has introduced a resolution in Congress this week to in support of the goals and mission of National Public Health Week, April 3rd through 9th, as a part of the efforts to continue working towards a healthier America. The theme for this year's National Public Health Week, organized by the American Public Health Associateion (APHA), is "Healthiest Nation 2030," emphasizing a goal of making America the healthiest nation in one generation. A similar resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.).

"An investment in our public health system is an investment in the future of our families, our communities and the prosperity of New Mexico and the country," Udall said. "In New Mexico, our public health workers are on the front lines every day supporting new moms with home visiting programs, working with patients to help them better manage diabetes, and preparing communities with the most up-to-date disease prevention tactics. We are grateful to these public health workers and recognize their efforts to create a healthier nation. We face many challenges in New Mexico, including high instances of substance abuse among our youth and the terrible consequences it has on their development. We cannot solve these issues without the hard work and coordination of public health workers and strong federal investments in public health programs."

"We applaud Sen. Udall and the other cosponsors of the National Public Health Week resolution for recognizing the essential role public health plays in improving the health of all Americans and the communities in which we live. We are grateful for their leadership and look forward to our continued collaboration in helping create the healthiest nation," said APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD.

While significant numbers of people in the United States are changing the way that they care for their health by avoiding tobacco use, eating healthier, and becoming more physically active, many challenges remain in areas such as mental health, obesity and substance misuse disorders. The resolution importantly points out that the percentage of American adults who smoke cigarettes dropped from 20.9 percent in 2005 to 15.1 percent in 2015, but since 1999, opioid-involved deaths have more than quadrupled. In the face of new issues arising in public health policy, National Public Health Week aims to create comprehensive, long-term strategies across a range of sectors to create better health outcomes and provide improved education to more Americans about the importance of public health.

Since 1995, public health organizations have used National Public Health Week to educate the public, policymakers, and health professionals about issues that are important to improving America's public health.