April 02, 2019 Louisiana Department of Health plans National Public Health Week event in central Louisiana

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Apr 02, 2019 - The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public Health is sponsoring a community-wide presentation of the County Health Rankings from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 3 on the second floor of the Rapides Foundation Building, 1101 Fourth St. #200, Alexandria.

The event is in its 10^th year and is being held in conjunction with the region’s Healthy Communities Coalition. It takes place during National Public Health Week, observed April 1-7, 2019.

“Public health professionals serve all parts of the state and all residents of the state to ensure that Louisiana is healthy,” said Dr. Alexander Billioux, assistant secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public Health. “From giving immunizations to tracking food safety, they work tirelessly every day to keep Louisianans in good health and doing all the things that we love to do in this state.”

During National Public Health Week, health departments and other healthcare entities around the country celebrate the power of prevention, advocate for health and fair policies, share strategies for successful partnerships and champion the role of a strong public health system.

Public health professionals include environmental health specialists, nurses, social workers, epidemiologists, nutritionists, health educators, physicians and others. These workers monitor community health, diagnose and investigate health hazards, prepare the public for natural or manmade disasters, prevent and control outbreaks of disease, and deliver important health information to Louisianans.

“These professionals provide health services through our parish health units to thousands of patients each year and play a critical role in the daily life of every Louisiana resident,” Billioux said. “We hope that this week will highlight the importance of public health.”