Public Health Week

 Gov. Blunt and State Health Department Encourage Missourians to Choose Just One Activity for Greater Personal Well-Being, Healthier Environment During Missouri Public Health Week

Jefferson City-Missourians can find ways to improve their personal health and well-being while helping to protect the environment, and one way to start is by choosing just one activity that can achieve both goals. That is the key message of Just One, the theme for Missouri Public Health Week, April 7-11, announced today by Governor Matt Blunt and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

“Each of us can choose Just One activity that can improve our health that is also good for our environment,” Governor Blunt said. “Over the weekend more than 15,000 people ran or walked as part of the Go! St. Louis Marathon. Fitness activities like this can improve health and wellness, but also translate into a better environment. As the weather gets warmer, we are encouraging Missourians to consider spending a little more time outdoors this spring and summer. Just One activity can make a big difference for your health and Missouri’s environment.”

“The Just One theme underscores the fact that each person can contribute to overall public health by improving our own well-being, and each of us can help protect the earth,” said Jane Drummond, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). “We can move toward these goals by choosing Just One healthy activity that is good for us and is also good for the earth. Just One is more than just a one-time Public Health Week theme, it is a call for Missourians to make this the beginning of a life-long dedication to personal and environmental health.”

Drummond said that public health professionals work every single day locally, throughout the state, across the nation and around the world to protect the health and well-being of everyone. Missouri Public Health Week is a brief time to emphasize and celebrate public health.

Drummond said that people can get started by selecting one of five key actions, one activity that best fits their abilities, needs and interests. A person can choose one of these, or they can create their own Just One activity.

· Just One: Step – If possible, consider walking or riding your bike to work or on errands. If you live too far away, park farther from the entrance to increase your daily walking steps.

· Just One: Change – Turn off the TV and spend 30 minutes walking through the neighborhood or one of our many great state and local parks.

· Just One: Touch – Reach out to help a neighbor clean up his yard.

· Just One: Word – Teach children how important their health is and how they can help protect the world we live in.

For information about local Missouri Public Health Week events, contact your local public health agency. Just One information and materials can be accessed on the DHSS Web site at www.dhss.mo.gov/LPHA/Resources.html.