Public Health Thank You Day

Hello, I'm Dr. Scott Harris, the President of ASTHO and the State Health Officer for the state of Alabama. Each year on the Monday before Thanksgiving, we celebrate Public Health Thank You Day and I'm honored to be able to express my sincere appreciation for the wonderful work being done by public health professionals throughout the country. Thank you for the tremendous job you do every day to prevent disease, to improve safety and reduce injury. To support our health care systems. To keep our food and water safe, to promote health and wellness, and to protect our most vulnerable.

Thank you to each one of you, from the bottom of my heart. Our public health workforce is comprised of compassionate and dedicated men and women who care about their communities, and about helping us all achieve our full potential.

No one's life or health should be harmed by preventable causes beyond their control. We believe in public health that everyone deserves an opportunity to live their best and healthiest lives and I'm truly grateful for all you're doing to make this possible. As I often say to people who ask me what public health is all about -- Public health saved your life today, you just didn't know it. The work that we do is often behind the scenes, and our impact can go unnoticed until there's a crisis that calls us into the spotlight. We may feel like we labor in anonymity, but public health work is truly important and truly matters. So please accept my gratitude for your service and dedication and for all the things that you do every day.

Thank you. Be well and keep up the good work.

Hi, I'm Joe Kanter, the CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. I want to wish you a very happy and meaningful Public Health Thank You Day. When I get asked, what is it that public health does, I say a whole, whole heck of a lot, you just probably didn't realize it. The nature of our work is that it often happens in the background without people knowing and for that reason, people can lose sight of the highly impactful work that our colleagues do day in and day out.

I want you to know that your work is important. I want you to know that your work literally saves lives and allows communities to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Our work is important, and it's vital that we take the time to recognize that your work is known.

Your work is appreciated and your work is valuable. Thank you for what you do.