National Public Health Week
April 1-7, 2013
Public Health is ROI: Saves Lives, Saves Money
Since 1995, communities across the country have celebrated National Public Health Week every April, to help protect and improve our nation's health. The theme of the 2013 National Public Health Week, sponsored by the American Public Health Association, is "Public Health is ROI: Saves Lives, Saves Money." This year's theme was developed to highlight the value of prevention and the importance of well-supported public health systems in preventing disease, saving lives and curbing health care spending.
The Colorado Health Foundation joins APHA in saluting the contributions of public health and its workforce here in Colorado and across the country.
To learn more about how public health can improve quality and reduce costs, please read 
"Prevention: Strong Investments in Colorado's Health," a supplement of the 2011 Colorado Health Report Card.
Public Health Man
Cartoonist Ed Stein reveals the superhero lurking under the mild-mannered exterior of every public health worker.
Insights on Public Health
The Colorado Health Foundation features public health-related themes on its Health Relay blog during National Public Health Week and throughout the year. Liliana Tenney, the co-director of Health Links Colorado at the Center for Worker Health and Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health, wrote about the components of a healthy workplace. Chris Urbina, MD, MPH, executive director and chief medical officer of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, shared his thoughts about Colorado's "Winnable Battles" in public health. Georges Benjamin, executive director of APHA, provided an overview of the importance of public health.
Ten Great Public Health Achievements
Since 1900, the average lifespan of persons in the United States has lengthened by more than 30 years – thanks in large part to significant achievements of the public health sector including vaccinations, fluoridated drinking water and food safety. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report selected the 10 most notable public health achievements based on the opportunity for prevention and the impact on death, illness and disability in the United States.
Our Public Health Partners
Through our grantmaking, the Colorado Health Foundation supports many organizations that promote public health, most notably: