Tips for a healthier America

National Public Health Week: April 2-8

This article was published on 03.29.12

There’s no question that the general health of Americans is in need of improvement. As it prepares for the upcoming National Public Health Week (April 2-8), Butte County Public Health points to the fact that, in this country where 46 million people don’t have health insurance, nearly one-third of the children are overweight or obese and there are about 900,000 preventable deaths every year.

So, throughout the week, starting April 2, Butte County Public Health will post tips at www.buttecounty.net/publichealth on how we can live healthier. But don’t wait ’til Monday to get started. The smallest of changes can make a huge difference for you and your community. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Set aside 30 minutes each day for a walk.

• Email a healthful recipe to someone.

• Wear a helmet when riding your bike.

• Shop at the farmers’ markets.

• Reduce TV-watching time to two or fewer hours daily.

Visit the National Public Health Week website at www.nphw.org for more tips.