The Kane County Health Department is joining communities around the country by celebrating April 6-12 as National Public Health Week to recognize public health’s contributions and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation’s health. This year’s theme is “Healthiest Nation 2030.” Each day during NPHW has its own theme, and Monday, April 6, is Raising the Grade.

Kane County is raising the grade in several ways by becoming one of the first accredited county health department in Illinois, by seeing our County Health Rankings improve to where Kane is ranked No. 5 in the state, and by attacking the health priorities that have been listed in our Community Health Improvement Plan. In fact, Kane County Health Department is currently in the process of updating its current CHIP.

Despite the major progress we have achieved, there is work to be done if we are to reach our vision of being the healthiest county in Illinois by 2030, as well as realizing the goal of NPHW by becoming the Healthiest Nation by 2030.

For example, we know that the U.S. trails other countries in life expectancy and other measures of good health, and this holds true across all ages and income levels. Too many people, including some of our political leaders, still believe we have the best health care in the world. We have great doctors, state-of-the-art hospitals and are leaders in advanced procedures and pharmaceuticals – yet our health ranks poorly when compared to other countries.

To learn more about how Kane County Health Department is working to improve the health of all the county’s residents please visit the Health Department website at www.kanehealth.com. You can show your support for public health by signing up for the Stakeholder Group Charter at kanehealth.com/charter.htm.

For more information about National Public Health Week, visit www.nphw.org.