Andover Public Health Officials Celebrate Thank You Day

On the Monday before Thanksgiving, the Andover, North Andover and Methuen Public Health Departments will join Research!America and leading U.S. public health organizations to recognize public health professionals who go above and beyond to protect the health of all Americans.

Public Health Thank You Day honors public health professionals who keep their communities safe from infectious disease, promote mental health, prevent injuries and so much more. These heroes include health inspectors, environmental health scientists, public health researchers, and community health workers. Board of health members who volunteer their time, as well residents who serve on advisory committees and task forces also play an important role in public health.

“I am always proud of the work of our health department in promoting healthy life choices and creating a safe environment for our residents,” said Thomas Carbone, Director of Public Health in Andover. “This day is a time to thank them for all they do, especially all of the valuable and lifesaving work that is often done behind the scenes.”

Public health is the field of science concerned with maintaining and improving the health of populations, and is comprised of a variety of functions including promoting healthy lifestyles, detecting and controlling outbreaks, research, and preventing injury. Some examples of recent public health work include anti-smoking campaigns, flu-clinics, and targeting sources of food-borne illness.

“On this Public Health Thank You Day, I would like to thank everyone who contributes to our mission of keeping this community healthy,” North Andover Health Director Susan Sawyer said. “Many don’t realize how much hard work goes on behind the scenes in order to keep our residents safe, so I want to take this moment to thank all of our public health professionals and hope the community will take time to do the same.”

Public health professionals continue to dedicate themselves to improving the health and lives of Americans by tackling health threats on a daily basis. Institutions within the foundation of public health, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), have joined efforts in order to address recent outbreaks of disease and have shown that in spite of the challenges and risks, public health professionals continue to keep communities as safe and healthy as possible.

“All of the public health professionals who work tirelessly to improve the health and lives of their communities deserve to be recognized,” said Brian LaGrasse, Director of Public Health in Methuen. “Without their vigilance and commitment to public health, we would not have the resources available to keep our community healthy and happy.”

Those who want to get involved in Public Health Thank You Day can use social media to thank their public health heroes by using the hashtag #PHTYD, posting on Facebook, sharing banners and images, or writing a letter to the editor. For more ways to get involved, visit Research America’s website.

About Research!America

Research!America is the nation’s largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, it is supported by member organizations that represent more than 125 million Americans. For more information, visit www.researchamerica.org.