County to observe National Public Health Week

Variety of public events will provide Rx for community well-being

National Public Health Week is designed to raise awareness about healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.

Even before a national survey last week deemed Chester County the healthiest county in the state for the second time, its Health Department had planned numerous events to celebrate National Public Health Week starting on April 1.

“National Public Health Week helps educate and engage Americans in the movement to create a healthier America for ourselves and the generations to come,” said Margaret Rivello, who heads the county’s Health Department, in a news release. “The events that will take place this week help showcase the value of supporting prevention and the role that public health agencies, organizations and practitioners play in making prevention possible.”

Among the events scheduled:

On Monday, April 1, the Health Department will host an event for Chester County Boy Scouts to help them earn their Public Health Merit Badge. The scouts will receive certificates of participation and assistance in completing the badge. Each scout who brings a non-perishable donation for a food drive will be entered into a raffle to win prizes.

Prizes for the winners of two recent contests – one for Chester County high school students who submitted an original photo depicting a “Picture of Health” and one for 4^th-graders, who competed with a drawing depicting how they fight germs – will be awarded on April 2.

On Thursday, April 4, the Exton Library will host a Trivia Night on emergency preparedness. Are you ready? Those who are game to find out can participate in a night of fun and instruction. Prizes will be awarded for winning teams and anyone who brings a non-perishable donation for a food drive will be entered into a raffle to win an emergency preparedness kit.

A Health and Wellness Fair at St. Paul’s Church in West Chester, on Saturday, April 6. Screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure, HIV, anemia and blood glucose will be offered as well as smoking cessation, nutrition, and weight management counseling. Healthy snacks and giveaways will also be available.