This week is National Public Health Week

Posted: Wed, Apr 4, 2012 6:49 PM

(Front row, left to right): Winneshiek County Board Chairman Les Askelson, Winneshiek County Health Department nurse Nancy Sacquitne and Winneshiek County Health Department Administrator Krista VandenBrink. (Back row, left to right): Winneshiek County supervisors Bill Ibanez, Lonnie Pierce, John Logsdon, and Steve Bouska

Winneshiek County Public Health is celebrating NationalPublic Health Week this week. The theme of the week is "A Healthier America BeginsToday: Join the Movement."

Winneshiek County Public Health Administrator Krista VandenBrink emphasizes that chronic diseases such as heartdisease, cancer and diabetes are responsible for millions of premature deathswhich also cause billions of missed days of work and leads to lost workproductivity. Nearly a million Americansdie every year from diseases that could be prevented. Governor Branstad has a mission of makingIowa the healthiest state in the nation by 2016. Taking simple preventive steps in our ownfamilies and communities improves our own health, and will help in creating ahealthier Iowa and a healthier nation.