Connecting, Protecting and Thriving During National Public Health Week
The celebrated its inaugural National Public Health Week (NPHW) from April 1-7, 2024, with eight engaging events highlighting the importance of community health and well-being. NPHW is an annual observance initiated by the American Public Health Association in 1995 to raise awareness about critical public health issues.
The school’s NPHW programming focused on fostering holistic well-being, encompassing physical, mental and cultural aspects of health. A central theme, “Move! Wherever. However. Whenever.,” encouraged community engagement in physical activity and its role in improving physical and mental health. The week's events underscored the school's commitment to addressing health inequities and building thriving communities.
The week began with a webinar addressing the unique challenges of rural public health and access to health care.
A highlight of the week was a panel discussion titled “Parks and Green Spaces in San Antonio,” featuring former mayor Nelson Wolff and current mayor Ron Nirenberg. The discussion focused on the critical role of green spaces in promoting public health and wellness within the city.
The community was later invited to tour the newly renovated School of Public Health building and participate in a commemorative tree planting.
Collaboration was a key element of the school's NPHW celebration. A joint event with the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center explored the intersection of arte y cultura (art and culture) and public health. In partnership with Health Confianza, the school also observed Digital Health Literacy Day, disseminating vital public health information to ensure community safety and well-being.
Finally, a unique collaboration between the UT School of Public Health San Antonio, the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Liberal and Fine Arts and the San Pedro Playhouse explored the profound connections between theater and public health in an event titled “Theater + Public Health.”
The UT School of Public Health San Antonio expressed pride in its NPHW celebration, emphasizing its dedication to contributing to the broader public health mission and raising awareness of vital health issues in the San Antonio community.