Metro Health Commemorates National Public Health Week

Published on April 03, 2023

This year’s national theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health”

SAN ANTONIO (April 3, 2023) - Each year during the month of April, the American Public Health Association (APHA) brings communities together across the United States to observe National Public Health Week (NPHW). The City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) celebrates NPHW, April 3-9, by spotlighting the achievements of its SA Forward strategic priorities. 
 
NPHW is a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving the nation's health. This year’s theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health”, reminding the community to celebrate the unique and joyful ways different cultures focus on health.
 
“Improving our community’s health depends on improving our public health system, cross-collaborations with key stakeholders, and continuously learning from our community’s needs,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “National Public Health Week serves as a reminder of the importance to continue working on building solutions so everyone in Bexar County and San Antonio can be healthy.”
 
“Creating culturally relevant messaging and programming is necessary if we want to address health inequities and target populations experiencing the greatest health disparities,” stated Councilwoman and Chair of the Community Health, Environment and Culture Committee (CHECC), Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia. “Marketing strategies promoting healthy lifestyle choices and fitness activities can and should include intergenerational and multi-cultural elements in our local outreach efforts.”
 
Metro Health is also celebrating the first-year achievements of the SA Forward strategic priorities launched in April 2022. SA Forward takes a community-informed approach by addressing pressing issues learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, including health disparities, social justice, public health capacity, and the state of its workforce.
 
“We commend the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District for its continuous efforts in addressing the community’s most pressing health issues through the SA Forward Plan, which is enhancing the quality of life of our most vulnerable communities daily. Investments in prevention and public health can make an enormous difference. National Public Health Week helps educate and engage our community to create a healthier America today and for generations to come,” said City Manager Erik Walsh.
 
“This National Public Health Week, we celebrate our staff’s resilience and thank our partners and residents for making San Antonio a place where healthy people can thrive in healthy communities,” said Dr. Claude A. Jacob, Health Director. “Our alignment with this vision and our key SA Forward accomplishments can now be seen in our Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report.”
 
Metro Health’s Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report is now available in the City’s website.
 
During the Thursday, April 6 City Council meeting, the City of San Antonio will issue an official proclamation declaring April 3-9 as National Public Health Week. In addition, Metro Health will be hosting a Public Health Fest that same day at Mission Marquee from 3 to 6 p.m. This community event will offer resources and information from Metro Health programs, free vaccinations, entertainment, and more. To learn more about the event, visit Metro Health’s NPHW website.