By LIZ SPURRELL-HUSS
Photo by David Greene
National Public Health Week 2026 is a time to recognize the power of prevention, the importance of community, and the responsibility we all share in building healthier, more equitable communities. Celebrated each April, and led by the American Public Health Association, the week highlights important issues such as mental health, access to care, environmental health, and the social factors that shape well-being.
The 2026 theme, “Ready, Set, Action!” calls on individuals, organizations, and communities to move beyond awareness and take meaningful steps to improve health. It reminds us that while public health progress has led to longer life expectancy and stronger communities, continued action is needed to address ongoing and emerging challenges our communities face that can threaten our ability to live living longer, healthier lives.
Public health is more than hospitals and clinics; it’s about the conditions that allow people to live healthy, fulfilling lives. From safe housing and nutritious food to clean air and strong social connections, public health touches every aspect of our daily lives. National Public Health Week is an opportunity to both celebrate progress and acknowledge the work that remains to ensure health equity for all.
This is especially relevant in The Bronx. Despite its rich history of community organizing and advocacy, The Bronx is considered New York State’s unhealthiest county. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings, since 2009, The Bronx has ranked 62 of New York State’s 62 counties in both health outcomes and health factors.
Health outcomes include things like length and quality of life, while health factors include things like smoking, cancer screening, poverty rate, and housing problems. This means that The Bronx is overburdened by chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and asthma, and overall quality of life for Bronx residents is poorer. Community members play a vital role in advancing public health. Getting involved can take many forms. Here are some ideas to get started:
Attend local events such as health fairs, educational workshops, or community forums about health. For example, check out this paid opportunity, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KSDLB2P, from our Montefiore department of community and population health to participate in zoom discussion groups about Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These conversations will help the medical system identify and develop the resources families and communities need most.
Volunteer with local food pantries, mutual aid groups, or organizations addressing housing and environmental issues to directly support community well-being. Check out this community resource tool to find organizations close to you: https://montefioreeinstein.findhelp.com/. For example, you might volunteer with a wonderful food aid organization called Grassroots Recovery at https://www.grassrootsgrocery.org/join-us-saturday.
Advocacy is another powerful tool. Contacting local representatives, supporting policies that promote health equity, and raising awareness about issues affecting your community can drive meaningful change. This can be as local as your workplace. Challenge your co-workers to drink more water and avoid sugar-sweetened beverages for the next month. Alternatively, within your faith community, encourage leaders to serve fruits and vegetables at all events for the next six months.
You can also contribute by sharing accurate health information, checking in on neighbors, and fostering connections that strengthen community resilience. For example, an in-person parent support group on select Wednesdays takes place run by The Bronx Health Link.
Click here for details: https://bit.ly/3PHGLhf for more information. There is also a weekly Zoom group for parents of kids one year or over run by Just Birth Space. More details can be found at https://bit.ly/4uUfisK.
For more information, visit https://www.apha.org/initiatives/national-public-health-week. This National Public Health Week, take action, because healthier communities start with all of us!
Liz Spurrell-Huss LCSW, MPH is director of community health programs in the department of community and population health at Montefiore Einstein.
Editor’s Note: Advocates and elected officials alike are currently campaigning to pass the NY Health Act. For more on this topic, click here. To read more on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings, and The Bronx ranking 62 out of New York State’s 62 counties in both health outcomes and health factors, click here and here.
