Public Health Week 2009
"Building the Foundation for a Healthy America"
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Since 1996, the American Public Health Association (APHA) has organized National Public Health Week and developed campaigns to educate the public, policy-makers and public health professionals about issues important to improving the public's health. The Oregon Public Health Division participates each year with various activities involving state and county government and community organizations.
*Did you know...
- Approximately half of the 2 million deaths in the United States each year could be prevented.
- More than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese and approximately 9 million children over six are considered obese. The Office of the Surgeon General has produced two new video public service announcements that promote healthy eating and physical activity.
- America is one of the top 10 countries that have the most people living with HIV/AIDS.
- The U.S. infant mortality rate is higher than those in most developed countries.
- Health disparities persist in America with minority populations having nearly eight times the death rate for key health conditions, such as diabetes, than that of non-minority populations.
- About 19 million Americans are infected with an STD each year and almost half of them are people ages 15 to 24.
- As many as 25 percent of children in America live in areas that regularly exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's limits for ozone.
* see www.nphw.org/nphw09/toolkit_2009.pdf
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Photo Contest Wrap-Up
Interviews with the winnners:
 Join the Conversation...
Alexis Gomez - 1st
Banlin Garcia - 2nd
Vishnu Rajan - 3rd
Description of Events:
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Speakers' Series -- "This is Public Health in Oregon 2009"
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A series of dynamic, provocative speakers, who present innovative thinking regarding Public Health issues, helping prompt consideration of these topics critical to our health in a whole new way. See flyer for complete schedule (pdf)
The series was open to the public and provided free of charge, thanks to our partners.
Monday, April 6 - Panel Discussion
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Using Health Impact Assessments & Other Tools To Support Decision Making In Oregon
There is mounting evidence that the activities of various sectors, especially transportation urban planning, have the potential to have both positive and negative impacts on the public's health. In Oregon, public health professionals have been working hard in different ways to ensure that decision makers receive information about the health impacts of projects and policies. Health Impact Assessments and various other methods have been used with success to date. Panelists discussed the efforts of their agency or organization as well as their plans for the future.
Moderator:
Nancy Goff, MPH, Oregon Public Health Division, Environmental Public Health Tracking and Health Impact Assessment
Panelists:
Kirsten Aird, MPH, Oregon Public Health Division, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention
Noelle Dobson, MPH, Community Health Partnership: Oregon's Public Health Institute
Jae Douglas, PhD, MSW, Oregon Public Health Division, Toxicology, Assessment and Tracking Services
Molly Haynes, MPH, RD, LD, Kaiser Permanente
Sandy Johnson, PhD, Multnomah County Health Department, Health Assessment and Evaluation
Mel Rader, MS, MS, Upstream Public Health
This discussion has been completed: Materials available for download:
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Tuesday, April 7 - Lawrence Wallack, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., M.S.
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Dean - College of Urban and Public Affairs, Professor of Community Health, Portland State University and emeritus professor of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Wallack is one of the primary architects of media advocacy -- an innovative approach to working with mass media to advance social and public health issues. He has published extensively and lectures frequently on the news media and public health policy issues.
Topic: Talking Public Health: Developing America's Second Language
Time: Held 12 p.m. (noon) - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Smith Center, Portland State University, Vanport Auditorium (338) - see PSU campus map (pdf)
Join the Conversation at communityhealthpriorities.org:
"Larry Wallack Calls for Change..."
This presentation has been completed: Materials available for download:
Sponsored by Sponsored by Community Health Partnership: Oregon's Public Health Institute
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Wednesday, April 8 - Glynis Shea
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Communications Director, Konopka Institute for Best Practices in Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minn.
Ms. Shea works with social workers, youth workers, public health professionals, state systems executives, researchers and medical practitioners to build public support for young people through effective communications.
Topic: Framing Our Message: How We Talk About Adolescents
Time: Held 12 p.m. (noon) - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Portland State Office Building 1-B (Mapquest®Map)
This presentation has been completed: Materials available for download:
Sponsored by DHS Office of Family Health - Adolescent Health Section
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Thursday, April 9 - Siobhan Maty, Ph.D., M.P.H.
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Assistant Professor, School of Community Health, Portland State University
Dr. Maty is an epidemiologist with expertise in the conceptualization and measurement of social factors and their influence on health outcomes, as well as in the design and analysis of epidemiologic studies.
Topic: Social Determinants of Health & Disease
Time: Held 12 p.m. (noon) - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Portland State Office Building 1-B (Mapquest®Map)
This presentation has been completed: Materials available for download:
Join the Conversation at communityhealthpriorities.org:
"What's Your Community Health Priority?..."
Sponsored by DHS Oregon Public Health Division
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Friday, April 10 - Deborah Cohen, M.D., M.P.H.
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Nationally Recognized Speaker on Obesity Prevention & the Built Environment, Senior Natural Scientist, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California.
Dr. Cohen has expertise in health and the built environment; obesity prevention; physical activity; public health; STDs/HIV; structural interventions; and alcohol policy.
Topic: Willpower and other Weight Control Fairy Tales: Rethinking the Causes and Solutions to Obesity
While we recognize the environment plays a role in eating behaviors, most people still believe that obesity is the result of an individual's conscious choices, overweight people lack willpower, weight gain results from individual factors like genetics or individual response to stress, and adults should be able to ignore or resist the temptation to overeat. Yet in just 30 years, obesity is increasing across all socioeconomic groups and educational levels, and occurs even among those with the highest levels of education and expertise in nutrition and related fields.
Food desire and consumption occur in ways that defy personal insight and are below individual awareness, making it unreasonable to rely on willpower or personal responsibility as the primary solution to America's obesity epidemic.
Dr. Cohen described the scientific evidence that indicates how people are led to make food choices without awareness or, in some cases, automatically. The main barrier to an effective solution to obesity is the underestimation of the influence of environmental stimuli on eating and our misconception that people can easily ignore the environment.
Time: Held 12 p.m. (noon) - 1:30 p.m.
Location: PSU, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Urban Center 506 SW Mill Street, Auditorium, Room 212G - see PSU campus map (pdf)
Join the Conversation at communityhealthpriorities.org:
"Which Billboard Wins...?"
"Obesity: simply a matter of willpower...?"
This presentation has been completed: Materials available for download:
Sponsored by the Community Health Priorities, a Project of the Northwest Health Foundation and the College of Urban & Public Affairs, Portland State University
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Physical Activities
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During Public Health week, we showcased physical activity of various types and underscored the importance of being physically active.
Monday, April 6 - "State Walk for the Public's Health"
Legislators, public health advocates, community organizations and others kicked off Public Health Week by "walking our talk" - see map and more details about the walk (pdf). Participants walked one mile together through "built environments" nearby the State Capitol, in Salem Oregon, to raise awareness about public health and this issue. Every community in Oregon should have safe and accessible places for its citizens to walk to help maintain their health.
Oregon ranks lower than average among states regarding rates of obesity and physical activity per capita so finding ways to boost people's physical activity is important. Participants will walk one mile together through "built environments" near the State Capitol, in Salem, Oregon, to raise awareness about public health and this issue.
Time: Held Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: At State Capitol steps, Salem, OR.
Sponsored by: Community Health Priorities, a Project of the Northwest Health Foundation.
For more information, E-mail: Trish Neiworth, OPHD Community Outreach & Education Coordinator
Held Tuesday, April 7 - Nia Demonstration Class
This technique blended nine movement forms - martial arts: T'ai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido; dance arts - jazz, modern, Duncan dance: and healing arts - yoga, Alexander technique, and the teachings of Moshe Feidenkrais.
Time: Held Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Room 1B, Portland State Office Building (Mapquest®Map)
Community Sponsored Event
Coordinator E-mail: Adrienne Mullock, DHS WIC
Wednesday, April 8 - Guided Public Health Walk
This guided walk through North East Portland (see map - pdf) showcased signs of Public Health all around us.
Time: Held Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: From the Lobby, Portland State Office Building (PSOB), Portland (Mapquest®Map)
Sponsored by the DHS Oregon Public Health Division
Coordinators E-mail: Alison Alexander, DHS Immunization Program, Regan Schutz, DHS Office of Environmental Health, Nancy Goff, DHS Environmental Public Health Tracking
Thursday, April 9 - Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen Demonstration Class
Participants learned Indonesian martial arts technique, effective in both self-defense and healing. In the hour-long session, participants experienced and played the movement of four animals that form the basis of Poekoelan - the monkey, tiger, snake and crane - along with the calm abiding clarity of the Indonesian breathing form.
Time: Held Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Room 1E, Portland State Office Building (PSOB), Portland (Mapquest®Map)
Community Sponsored Event
Coordinator E-mail: Adrienne Mullock, WIC
Held Thursday, April 9 - Yoga Demonstration Class
Participants relaxed and refreshed during their afternoon breaks. This interactive yoga session featured simple poses and breathing techniques that you can do at your workstation. People of all levels and abilities were welcome.
Time: Held 3 - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Room 1 B, Portland State Office Building (PSOB), Portland (Mapquest®Map)
Community Sponsored Event
Coordinator E-mail: Emilee Coulter-Thompson, DHS Office of Family Health
Friday, April 10 - Adrienne Paige Mullock's Friday Yoga Classs
Participants moved through traditional asanas (poses) in this Vinyasa style yoga class. This class meets regularly in the PSOB Wellness Center.
Time: Held Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Room 1B, Portland State Office Building (PSOB), Portland (Mapquest®Map)
Sponsored by the PSOB Wellness Center
Coordinator E-mail: Adrienne Mullock, DHS WIC
Healthy Menu Options - Vote for Change
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In the PSOB Cafeteria, during Public Health Week, the eatery pledged to add more healthy menu options to its selections.
Held Monday thru Friday, April 6 - 10
The cafeteria offered a survey to fill out during PH Week, regarding snacking options for the cafeteria and also for possibly changing items in the vending machines, to provide healthier options when the cafeteria is closed. Visitors vote for change!
Time: Held 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Cafeteria, Portland State Office Building (PSOB), Portland (Mapquest®Map)
Coordinators E-mail: Mellony Bernal, OCHHP; Kylie Meiner, Chronic Disease Prevention; Maria Smith, OEPH,; Adrienne Mullock, DHS WIC
Student Photo Contest 2009
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The Way I See It - A Teenage Perspective of Public Health
Sponsored by the Northwest Health Foundation
Health • \helth\ (noun) 1. A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.~World Health Organization
 Check out the winning photos
Join the Conversation: Interviews with the winnners...
Alexis Gomez
Banlin Garcia
Vishnu Rajan
All submissions (or most of them) can be seen at this flicker site provided through Community Health Priorities/Northwest Health Foundation.
The contest asked: How do you see health in the world around you?
Health can take many forms, and public health serves many functions. With this photo contest, we asked teenagers to look at different ways to show health, public health and healthy (or unhealthy) communities.
Contest Rules
Using the lens of your camera, digitally capture images of health/public health through your eyes. Photos should demonstrate the dimensions of health as defined by the World Health Organization (see definition above).
Friday, April 10 - Keeping Kids Safe
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Recycle Car Seats, Learn Life Jacket & Bike Safety
Safe Kids Oregon works to prevent unintentional, preventable injury and death. The Oregon SAFE KIDS Coalition unites public and private organizations including emergency responders, law enforcement, health and safety professionals as well as interested citizens who work together to reduce unintentional preventable injury and death in Oregon's children Ages 0 - 14.
Safe Kids Oregon collected used/outgrown life jackets, offered new children's lifejackets for sale and demonstrated the proper fitting of lifejackets. Download and print flyer with details (pdf). Information was provided regarding a bike safety fair as well as ways to recycle used car seats.
Time: Held 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Lobby and 1B, Portland State Office Building (PSOB), Portland (Mapquest®Map)
Sponsored by Oregon Safe Kids
Coordinator E-mail: Tamara Peterson, Safe Kids, DHS Pubilc Health Division
Related Community Events
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Participants joined in the community discussion during Public Health Week.
Friday, April 3
- The OMPH Program Student Symposium: "Building the Foundation for a Healthy World"
Location: Held at LaSells Stewart Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
- KBOO Radio 90.7 FM: "Buscando América"
Carmen Martin-Stiles, Host/Producer of "Buscando América", interviewed various public health professionals on health issues relevant to Oregon's Hispanic populations, with a specific emphasis on women's health topics.
For more information: http://kboo.fm/BuscandoAmerica.
Public Health & Partners Displays and Exhibits
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Oregon's Public Health week activities kicked April 6 at the State Capitol in Salem with public health staff greeting visitors at exhibits in the Galleria of the Capitol Building in Salem and in the Portland State Office Building in Portland.
Monday, April 6 - State Capitol Display
Participants joined Public Health's many partners and learn more about the many aspects of public health and how the various organizations, state agencies, non-profits, and community groups work together to help you be healthier.
Time: Held 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Galleria, Oregon State Capitol - Salem, Oregon
Coordinator E-mail: Trish Neiworth, OPHD Community Outreach & Education Coordinator
Participants:
Tuesday thru Friday, April 7-10 - Portland State Office Building Display
Visitors spent some time in the PSOB lobby this week and learned a little bit more about Public Health.
Time: Held 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Lobby, Portland State Office Building (PSOB), Portland (Mapquest®Map)
Coordinator: Trish Neiworth, Oregon Public Health Division
Participants:
Sponsors & Partners
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