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April 4-10, 2005
NHM Health Focus: National
Public Health Week
Empowering Americans to Live Stronger, Longer
We encourage you to educate yourself about healthy aging and the three P's:
Prevent,
Protect, and
Plan to
empower Americans to live stronger, longer.
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QUICK FACTS
People of all ages can PREVENT many
common health problems.
- Teen drivers have the highest death
rates of any age group. Motor vehicle crashes are the
leading cause of death among the 15-20 year olds. This
can be reduced by increased seatbelt use, taking driver
training courses, and limiting night driving and number
of passengers. (National Safe Driving Test & Initiative)
- Young children are at greatest risk
of household poison exposures. Identifying where hazardous
materials are stored in the home and properly securing
the materials can avoid a poisoning incident.
(Home Safety Council)
- Tooth decay affects nearly a fifth of
2–4-year-olds, more than half of 8-year-olds, and
more than three-fourths of 17-year-olds. Routine dental
visits and proper teeth cleaning and oral hygiene can
help prevent oral cavity diseases. (CDC)
- Nearly 40,000 older Americans die each
year from influenza or pneumonia – these diseases
may be prevented with immunizations. (APHA)
- More than one-third of adults over age
65 fall each year. Simple measures such as doing balance
exercises and removing hazards in the home can greatly
reduce chances of falling. (APHA)
- More than one in four older adults has
heart disease and about half have hypertension –
both diseases can be prevented or controlled by eating
a healthy diet and getting regular physical activity. (APHA)
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NHM joins the American
Public Health Association (APHA)
and other national and local suporters as we focus on National
Public Health Week. This year's theme, Empowering
Americans to Live Stronger, Longer! alerts us to the many ways we
can prevent health problems by practicing
healthy living , protect ourselves
from disease and injury and plan to
live our lives in a way that promotes a higher quality of life.
We prevent health problems when we avoid hazards, select healthy
environments, choose healthy lifestyle options.
Taking preventive action and adopting a healthier lifestyle is a critical
part of living longer, stronger. Research shows that many of the deterioration
symptoms that come with age are a matter of influence and mindset, not
genetics. Many Americans often miss simple opportunities to prevent
health problems by practicing healthy living.
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