County of Orange
Health Care Agency

Juliette A. Poulson, RN, MN
Director

Mark B. Horton, MD, MSPH
Deputy Agency Director/Health Officer
Public Health Services

Mailing Address:
515 N. Sycamore St.
Santa Ana, Ca 92701

E-Mail: PublicInfo@ochca.com
 

For Immediate Release
Friday, March 30, 2001

Contact: Pat Markley
(714) 834-7649 

Public Health Week Highlights Orange County's Public Health

(Santa Ana) - Because of public health and the vital role of public health workers, Orange County residents now enjoy better health, live in healthier conditions, know more about how to take care of their health, and live longer than at any time in the past. Public Health Week, April 2-8, is a nationwide health promotion focusing on the many public health programs and services that protect community health, prevent the spread of disease, keep the environment safe, promote healthy behaviors, prevent injuries, assure quality health care and respond to disasters.

"National Public Health Week provides an excellent opportunity to highlight and commend the exemplary efforts of public health professional in Orange County who protect, promote and enhance the health of our community," said to Dr. Mark Horton, Orange County Public Health Officer. He continued, "In recognition of Public Health Week, the California Department of Health Services will release a report next week that indicates that Orange County has met Healthy People 2010 objectives for reducing death rates due to motor vehicle accidents and diabetes, although the report also reveals we still have a great deal of work to do to meet our objectives in other areas."

Activities planned for Public Health Week include presentation of a Resolution by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Gerald Wagner Health Education Award, Childhood Obesity forum and an essay contest for youth.

Attachment: Public Health Week Event Calendar
Orange County Health Care Agency
Public Health Week Event Calendar

• Public Health Week Resolution, presentation by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, April 3; 9:30 a.m.; Hall of Administration, 10 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana.

• Addressing Childhood Obesity: Changing the Rules to Favor Health, a forum for public officials, school administrators, health professionals, community groups and parents to learn about the causes of childhood obesity and identify policy interventions to address this growing health concern; April 3, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Children's Hospital of Orange County, Harold Wade Education Center, 2nd floor, CHOC West, 455 S. Main St., Orange (714) 834-8556

• SIDS: The Exciting Facts and Reducing the Risk of SIDS, presentation will include factors about the decline of SIDS deaths in OC, behavior risk factors and information about the "Back to Sleep" national campaign for Spanish and English child care providers; April 3; 7 -9 p.m.; Children's Home Society of California, 1950 E. 17^th St., Suite 150, Santa Ana. (714) 834-4429

• Removing the Stigma; Issues in Substance Abuse & Aging Workshop, workshop includes lunch and resource fair; April 3; 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa. (714) 834-6281

• Back That Ash Up Youth Coalition, tobacco education and prevention coalition meeting; April 3; 4 - 7 p.m.; 405 W. 5^th St., Suite 203, Santa Ana. (714) 834-3232

• South Orange County Substance Abuse Prevention, monthly coalition meeting; April 4; 6 p.m.; Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, Conference Room #4, 24451 Medical Center Drive, Laguna Hills. (714) 834-5663

• Gerald Wagner Health Education Award, award for community member performing outstanding health education service in the community, April 5, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; MOMS, 1212 N Broadway, Suite 150, Santa Ana. (714) 834-7460

• Physical Activity and How it Affects Me, essay contest for youth; April 5-9. (714) 796-0251

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