By Courtney Chapple, Consulting Manager

Happy National Public Health Week!  From April 1 – 7, RDA joins the American Public Health Association (APHA) in recognizing and celebrating public health. As we celebrate National Public Health Week, we take a moment to look back at the partnerships that we have established and the project work that the RDA team has been honored to support in collaboration with our clients in the field of public health during our 40 years of service.

As a part of RDA’s commitment to investing in systems, policies, and programs that improve public health and healthcare, we have had the opportunity to work with local public health agencies throughout California. Our work has included conducting community health assessments, facilitating the development of community health improvement plans with public health and their partners, creating and implementing equitable community engagement plans and activities, and providing support for process and program evaluations, planning, and quality improvement.

This year’s National Public Health Week theme, “Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving: We are all Public Health,” resonates deeply here at RDA, reminding us of our collective responsibilities and roles in working to improve the health of our communities through collaboration and partnership. Public health agencies and organizations play a crucial role in our society, working to counter threats to our individual and collective health and promoting practices aimed at helping everyone live as long and as well as possible.

The COVID-19 pandemic and other public health crises in the United States, such as racism and climate change, have highlighted the need for a strong and sustainable public health system that can effectively address the diverse needs of affected communities. Through collaborative work, we can create a more inclusive system that promotes optimal health and well-being for all communities, regardless of their background or circumstances.

RDA is committed to working with our clients to strengthen connections in the communities that they serve. We are committed to naming and dismantling racism and oppressive structures in our communities and across our project works. We invest in advocacy, action, and identifying ways to better hold accountable those investments needed to address the impacts and realities of inequitable systems.

We are proud of the public health organizations and professionals we have worked with over the years, and we recognize the amazing and often hidden work they do to keep us all safe, healthy, and thriving.

Join us at RDA this week, and throughout the year, as we work together to promote effective policies and practices that aim to create a brighter, healthier future for everyone.

Learn more about the American Public Health Association and National Public Health Week, including more about the daily themes for 2024.