Washington, D.C., January 26, 2007 – The American Public Health Association (APHA) and hundreds of partner organizations will encourage Americans to prepare effectively for public health threats, from bioterrorism and natural disasters to disease outbreaks, during National Public Health Week, April 2-8, 2007.

As part of the weeklong observance, themed “Preparedness and Public Health Threats: Addressing the Unique Needs of the Nation’s Vulnerable Populations,” communities across the nation will explore ways to connect vulnerable populations, including mothers with young children, hourly-wage workers and people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma, with resources to help them prepare for health emergencies. Despite growing threats and a host of awareness campaigns, Americans remain largely unprepared for public health emergencies in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and other recent events. A September 2006 poll conducted by Marist College Institute for Public Opinion noted that only 31 percent of Americans have any emergency plans in place.

During the twelfth annual event, APHA will reach out to policy-makers, public health officials and partner groups across the country to empower them to share tools and resources that will enable residents to overcome barriers to create preparedness plans. The week will focus on five core audiences who are vulnerable to health dangers: mothers with young children; local food banks; hourly workers and employees; schools serving children in kindergarten through 12 th grade; and individuals with chronic health needs, such as diabetes, asthma, cancer and high blood pressure.

Last year’s National Public Health Week focused on ways that Americans can build healthier communities and address health threats associated with built environments, including air pollution and neighborhood design. More information on National Public Health Week 2007 may be found at www.nphw.org.

Founded in 1872, the APHA is the oldest, largest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. The association aims to protect all Americans and their communities from preventable, serious health threats and strives to assure community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States. APHA represents a broad array of health providers, educators, environmentalists, policy-makers and health officials at all levels working both within and outside governmental organizations and educational institutions. More information is available at www.apha.org.