Ventura County Public Health celebrates the successes of the past – elimination of polio, fluoridation in drinking water, passage of seat belt laws, among others – and looks to the future as the county celebrates the accomplishments of Public Health during National Public Health Week 2009, April 6th – 12th.

This year’s events, which are part of the American Public Health Association’s (APHA’s) annual celebration of the role of public health in our communities, serves to draw attention to the need to protect and improve our nation’s health. This year’s theme for Ventura County is Building a Foundation for a Healthy Ventura County.

“From the clean water we drink, to the seat belts we wear in our cars, to the many programs promoting physical activity, public health has a positive affect on our communities,” said Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County Health Officer. “By recommitting ourselves to support our nation’s public health system, we can build on our accomplishments and establish a solid foundation needed for a healthy Ventura County.”

On April 7, 2009, Supervisor John Zaragoza will issue a resolution lauding local Public Health efforts to address key health issues, including obesity, the built environment and physical inactivity. A panel of nutrition and physical activity experts will then lead a discussion titled: Are Your Children At Risk: Overweight and Underactive, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, in the lower plaza assembly room of the Government Center.

Panelists will include Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County Public Health Officer, Dr. Steven Loy, exercise physiologist from CSUN, Ms. Linda Kodman, local registered dietician, Claud Mann, star of TBS televisions’ “Dinner & A Movie,” and Dr. Heather Nichols, a Ventura County Health Care Agency pediatrician who works with children and teens at the Santa Paula-based Si Se Puede clinic. Dr. Nichols’ clinic was recently awarded the Champion Award by A Lean VC.

Additionally, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, a health fair will take place in the courtyard of the County Government Center, which will reinforce Public Health’s commitment to the community with numerous public health services and programs. Blood pressure screening, glucose and cholesterol testing, body fat analysis, height/weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) are some of the tests that will be offered. “We can’t afford to only solve one piece of the larger puzzle. By working together we can foster awareness of the importance of all aspects of public health to our community,” said Barry Fisher, director of Public Health.

For more information about National Public Health Week, visit www.nphw.org or the county’s Public Health website at www.vchca.org/ph.