Medical group celebrates National Public Health Week

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Susan Osborne
  • 3rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  "Building the Foundation for a Healthy America" is the focus of this year's National Public Health Week, April 6-12.

Despite the dramatic progress achieved through public health advancements elimination of polio, fluoridation of drinking water and seatbelt laws -- our nation's health falls far short of its potential.

According to the American Public Health Association, U.S. life expectancy has reached a record high of 78.1 years. However it still ranks 46th behind Japan and Europe, as well as countries such as Korea and Jordan. The U.S. is among the top 10 countries that have the most people with HIV/AIDS.

As a part of public health week, the 3rd Medical Group's Public Health Flight is inviting everyone to join the campaign by supporting the different special scheduled events:

Special events include community educational sites at Joint Military Mall, 3rd Medical Group's Bear and Moose entrances and the Child Development Centers. A public health motto contest is underway and the winning entry will be used to advertise many different events. Quiz questions on public health topics will be posted on Topcover. The aim is to increase awareness on public health issues for the Elmendorf community.

National Public Health Week celebrates the work of many professionals who focus on creating a healthy community. It's a time to recognize those who work for the public's health and a to consider the other components of public safety -- the programs that protect from illness and disease, and prevent injury. The public health flight provides many services to Elmendorf, Fort Richardson and 17 remote sites to ensure healthy communities. Facility sanitation and food inspection, occupational health education, and epidemiology are the basic elements of the public health flight.

The medical food inspection office is responsible for inspecting the food items sold on base. This section inspects an average of $55 million worth of food each year to ensure quality and wholesomeness. For more information on medical food inspection services, call 551-4116.

Occupational health and education provides training for all employees, and assists supervisors in providing training to employees who work with chemicals or physical hazards. Presentations can be tailored to fit your specific training needs. For more information or assistance, call 551-5431.

Epidemiology's primary objective is to identify disease trends and educate the public on diseases. The main concern of this section is to stop the spread of all communicable diseases, such as sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis and hepatitis. For more information, call 551-4118.

The public health flight's vision is to have the best public health educated community in the Air Force. Community education and awareness of public health issues is the best prevention for potentially fatal conditions.