Healthy People, Healthy Community

Published on April 05, 2023

April is a time to celebrate and commemorate “Healthy People, Healthy Communities.” It is also a time to advocate for healthier lifestyles, health equity, and enhanced access to care, especially in high-need areas.

As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic illuminated and exacerbated racial inequities. A person’s health status can differ drastically by zip code in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age, which can affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality of life outcomes and risks.

To continue strengthening Metro Health’s vision of healthy people thriving in a healthy community, our public health professionals continue to connect with community members, learn how they have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and involve them in key efforts to build a much stronger and innovative public health system for San Antonio and Bexar County.

From April 3-9, Metro Health will celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW), led by the American Public Health Association. This is a time to recognize the contributions of public health workers and highlight issues that are important to improving the nation's overall well-being.

This year’s NPHW theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health,” which reminds the community to celebrate the unique and joyful ways different cultures focus on health.

During this year’s celebration, Metro Health acknowledges its achievements in key areas such as food insecurity and nutrition, access to care, data and public health infrastructure, health equity and social justice, mental health, and violence prevention.

The community is invited to a Public Health Fest and Fiesta de Salud event at Crockett Park, 1300 N Main Ave., San Antonio, on Wednesday, April 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. The event will feature vendors, a pop-up vaccine clinic, and opportunities to learn about Metro Health programs and resources. There will also be refreshments, live entertainment, and more.