May 9-15, 2021: Public Health Week

WHEREAS, everyone living in Michigan deserves to live a long and healthy life in a safe environment; and,

 

WHEREAS, for more than 100 years, public health professionals have worked to safeguard the health of Michigan residents by protecting our food and water supplies, investigating and controlling infectious disease outbreaks, educating the public about ways to address risks to our health, and mobilizing partners to improve the environmental and community conditions that impact our well-being; and,

 

WHEREAS, to ensure this outcome, we must tackle the causes of poor health and disease risk among individuals and within our communities. Where we live, learn, work, worship, and play impacts each of us and can determine our health and life expectancy; and,

 

WHEREAS, in the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the health and well-being of Michigan residents in unprecedented ways; and,

 

WHEREAS, local public health professionals have made enormous personal sacrifices to combat this pandemic, working long hours for weeks and months on end, in the face of circumstances that have continually changed, often without warning; and,

 

WHEREAS, during this week, we join with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan Public Health Week Partnership, local health departments, health systems, and community-based organizations in expressing our deep appreciation for the contributions of public health professionals who promote and protect the health of Michigan residents and make Michigan a healthier state for all;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 9-15, 2021 as Public Health Week in Michigan.