For Immediate Release: Monday, April 7, 2025

Montgomery County Recognizes National Public Health Week April 7–13

Montgomery County will observe National Public Health Week (NPHW) from Monday, April 7 through Sunday, April 13, by highlighting daily themes through a series of social media posts and hosting community events. This year’s overall NPHW theme is “Success in Community. It Starts Here.”

NPHW is an annual observance led by the American Public Health Association (APHA), which brings together communities nationwide to recognize public health contributions and address key issues affecting health across the United States. The week emphasizes the importance of individual and collective efforts in building a healthier future.

“National Public Health Week is a reminder of how important it is to build a healthier, more equitable community,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “In Montgomery County, we are focused on improving health outcomes and strengthening our public health systems. I encourage everyone to follow our social media platforms and participate in next week’s events to learn, engage and take action toward a healthier future for all.”

Each day of NPHW highlights a specific public health topic, providing an opportunity to engage the community and encourage action. This year’s themes include:

• It Starts Here: Your Health is Our Mission
• Climate Action Starts Here: Championing Resilience for Health
• Health Equity Starts Here: Optimizing Health for All
• Advocacy Starts Here: Amplifying Voices for Public Health
• The Future of Public Health Starts Here: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce

These themes will be shared daily on the Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) X and Facebook platforms and on Healthy Montgomery’s X and Instagram accounts.

Montgomery County residents are also invited to participate in the following free events in celebration of NPHW:

• Garden Rx: Cultivating Health through Gardening. 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 at the Brigadier General Charles E McGee Library, 900 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring. “Grow” your gardening skills and connect with the community during this one-hour educational session on how gardening can benefit your health. To register, visit the Maryland Public Health Association (MdPHA) website.
  
  
• Getting Ahead of the Call: Driving Change, Building Resilience. 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday, April 10, via Zoom. Join four interactive breakout sessions to learn about the initiatives Montgomery County’s Fire and Rescue teams are leading to help improve health and safety. For more information and to register, click on this Zoom Link.
  
  
• Walk with A Doc. 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. Holy Cross Hospital, 1500 Forest Glen Rd, Silver Spring. Join Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis for a 30-minute walk along the trail at Sligo Creek, located next to Holy Cross, and enjoy a discussion on health and wellness. Register on the Walk with a Doc website.

In addition, DHHS will host staff appreciation events throughout the week, and the Latino Health Initiative will hold events for program participants. These promotions have been shared directly with their respective communities.

Public Health Services, part of DHHS, plays a vital role in promoting and protecting the health of individuals and communities where they live, learn, work and play. Public Health Services monitors health status, implements disease prevention strategies, fosters public-private partnerships and provides community-level health education. Public Health Services also inspects facilities affecting public health and safety and communicates vital health data through Healthy Montgomery, the County’s community health improvement initiative.

For updates, follow DHHS on X (formerly Twitter) @MoCoDHHS and on Facebook. Follow Healthy Montgomery on X @Healthy_MoCo and Instagram (@healthy_montgomery). Follow NPHW on X.

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Media Contact: Jennifer Garfinkel, 240-962-1506 or jennifer.garfinkel@montgomerycountymd.gov