This year’s theme for National Public Health Week (NPHW) (April 3-9) is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.”

“DHEC works with our partners and communities across the state to overcome health disparities and realize the goal of every individual having the opportunity to achieve their full health potential,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director. “When we foster cultural connections in our community, our health and the quality of our lives are greatly improved.“

As we adjust and adapt to new social norms, we’re focusing not just on what we can do as individuals, but what we can do as communities to protect, prioritize, and influence the future of public health.

This NPHW, one goal is to look at how our cultural connections and intersections affect our health, well-being and the public health system that cares for us. We’re encouraging everyone — public health professionals, students, elected leaders, and the public — to step in and do what they can to make our world a more equitable, safe, healthy, and just place.

Each day during NPHW has a theme.

Monday: Community
Whether virtual, physical or both, connection with community is vital to living your healthiest life. We must work together to ensure all communities have access and connections to affordable housing, education, food, and transportation.

Tuesday: Violence Prevention
Violence is an ongoing public health threat because it creates more obstacles to living a healthy life. When we understand the causes of violence in our communities, it gives us a better chance at creating effective prevention strategies.

Wednesday: Reproductive and Sexual Health
We can work together and make sure everyone has the right and ability to access safe, affordable, and individual care when making reproductive and sexual health decisions.

Thursday: Mental Health
Each year, one in five Americans will experience mental illness. Mental health is public health. Prevention, early detection, and treatment of mental health conditions can lead to improved physical and community health.

Friday: Rural Health
Rural communities are some of the most vulnerable populations to public health threats. We can work toward a more robust, inclusive public health system that ensures everyone is reached. http://www.NPHW.org #NPHW

Saturday: Accessibility
We can close the health equity gap by reducing health disparities in health insurance, increasing physical accessibility to care, improving availability of appropriate care, and building more inclusive public health programs and communities.

Sunday: Food and Nutrition
Access to fresh, quality, and nutritious food is the foundation to living a healthy life. We can work together to make sure our communities have that access and advocate for those communities who don’t.

Learn more about the national observance at http://www.nphw.org/.