Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania Department of Health leaders today visited community health districts across the state as a part of Public Health Thank You Day to acknowledge and express gratitude to public health professionals for their continued dedication to the field.
“Every year on the Monday prior to Thanksgiving, public health associations and organizations take time to acknowledge and thank public health workers for their dedication to protecting the health of all people and their communities,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “It is important to acknowledge and thank all of the public health workers across Pennsylvania, especially this year as we are 21 months into responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. These health care professionals continue to put their communities first and work tirelessly to keep us safe.”
Public health workers have responded to many crises over the years, including influenza, HIV/AIDS, cancer, substance use disorders and now COVID-19, among others. Since March 2020, these professionals have consistently dedicated themselves every day to lead Pennsylvania through the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and sacrificed their own health, safety, and time with their loved ones to save lives.
“Thank you to all public health workers in Pennsylvania, whether at a health department, association, or other organization, who continue working to protect their communities from COVID-19,” Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said. “Pennsylvania public health workers promote healthy behaviors, prevent injury and disease, and assure the safe delivery of quality health care for all people in the commonwealth. Our public health workers play a critical role in saving lives, and through their efforts over the last century have contributed to the increase of the average life expectancy from 47 in 1900 to 79 in 2020.”
“Public health workers have a passion for helping their community and commonwealth and all Pennsylvanians owe a debt of gratitude to each public health professional for their dedication to protecting our lives,” Executive Deputy Secretary Keara Klinepeter said. “On behalf of the entire Department of Health, we appreciate and thank all of the public health professionals endeavoring to build a healthy Pennsylvania for all. We also encourage all Pennsylvanians to reach out and express gratitude to public health workers in your community.”
The commonwealth is committed to protecting the health and well-being of all citizens by continuing to create a greater understanding of public health practices.
There are six community health districts in the state that operate 61 State Health Centers in 61 counties.
To view Acting Secretary Beam’s thank you message to public health workers, click here.
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark O'Neill - ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov
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