Milton, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) will observe National Public Health Week, April 4-10.  Started in 1995 by the American Public Health Association, the observance focuses on the importance of efforts to prevent behaviors that adversely affect the overall health of a community, such as smoking and obesity, and promotes wellness by encouraging healthy behaviors, including increasing physical activity and proper nutrition.   

DOH-Santa Rosa has been a part of the state and national public health system since 1944.  Past public health efforts have wiped out, or brought under control, such deadly diseases as polio, malaria, yellow fever and smallpox.  Efforts continue today to improve and protect the health of our communities through programs such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program, implementation of smoke-free housing policies and mosquito control programs to prevent the spread of mosquito borne illnesses. 

This year, the Florida Department of Health became the first accredited public health department system in the U.S. 

For more information on the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County, visit our web site at  https://santarosa.floridahealth.gov.  For more information on National Public Health Week, go to http://www.nphw.org/.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.