National Public Health Week (NPHW) 2026

This year’s NPHW Theme is: Ready. Set. Action!

“As we celebrate, take a moment to recognize how public health has improved our daily lives, safeguarded our families, expanded our life spans, and strengthened our communities. This week is also a chance to honor the public health workers who show up for us every day - and to advocate for policies and practices that promote good health for all. Ready. Set. Action! calls on each of us to look back at the progress we’ve made and look forward to the steps needed for an even healthier future. Because one truth guides it all: Good health doesn’t just happen.” - APHA-

Join the NPHW Conversation

Join us throughout National Public Health Week by engaging with CPHA on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram). Each day, we will share a social media prompt. We invite you to respond by:

• Posting a photo that represents public health in action

• Writing a short caption describing the impact, action, or “win” shown in your photo

For example, I might post a picture of my local farmers’ market and include a caption about the market’s SNAP-matching program, which reduces the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables for lower-income households. 

Be sure to include our campaign hashtags so we can see and amplify your contributions: #NPHW #CTPublicHealth #CPHA                Your posts help elevate the visibility of public health work across Connecticut and showcase the meaningful impact happening in communities every day. Together, let’s celebrate the people, partnerships, and progress that make public health in Connecticut strong.

Daily Themes and Activities

Monday, April 6: Ready, Set, Action NPHW Kick-Off

Today, we highlight health communication as a powerful tool for informing, educating, advocating, and driving action for public health.

Featured Activities:

• CPHA Kickoff Video from the CPHA President (posted to CPHA social media accounts)

• APHA Forum: “Public Health in the Age of Deception: Confronting the Misinformation Crisis”

Social Media Prompt: How is public health making a difference in your community or your day-to-day life? #NPHW #CTPublicHealth #CPHA     

Suggested Resource: De Beaumont Foundation Toolkit on ‘Communicating about Public Health’

• This Toolkit provides practical, research-informed guidance to help public health professionals communicate more effectively about the value and impact of their work. The toolkit offers tested messaging strategies, framing techniques, and real-world examples designed to build understanding and strengthen public support for public health. This resource is especially important at a time when public health is misunderstood or mistrusted. Clear, consistent, and values-based communication is critical for addressing misinformation, rebuilding trust, and helping communities understand how public health improves everyday life.

Tuesday, April 7: Government Partnerships in Action

Today, we celebrate our Government Partners who help us promote and protect health every day! In CT, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) supports environmental health for all!

Featured Resource: 

Visit DEEP's State Parks and Forests webpage to access trail maps.

Activities:

• Explore one of Connecticut’s 110 state parks or 32 state forests. Anyone with a CT-registered vehicle can park for free at any state park or forest! Spending time in nature benefits your health and encourages environmental care!

• Participate in APHA’s Keep it Moving Challenge

• Participate in APHA's Advancing Community Health through Move with the Mayor® Webinar 

Social Media Prompt: Where do you see Environmental Health in action in your community? Highlight a place, person, partnership, or initiative that is making a difference. #NPHW #CTPublicHealth #CPHA     

Wednesday, April 8: Celebrating and Strengthening the Public Health Workforce

Today, we honor the public health workers who show up for us every day to advocate for policies and practices that promote good health for all.

Featured Activities:

• Attend the “Next Gen Workforce Showcase” from 9am-2pm at the Central Connecticut State University Student Center, Alumni Hall.

• Participate in APHA’s Flood the Feed coordinated social media campaign at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00pm to amplify public health messaging nationwide

Social Media Prompt: Strengthen the public health workforce by 1) sharing a public health job opportunity with the CPHA community and/or 2) connecting a student or colleague to a professional opportunity or another colleague to grow their network. #NPHW #CTPublicHealth #CPHA   

Thursday, April 9: Building Well-Being Through Community

Public health lives in our environments: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the sidewalks we walk, and the parks we enjoy. These are not amenities. They are lifelines. Good health doesn’t just happen - communities set the stage to shape it.

Featured Activities:

• Attend the APHA webinar: “Building Well-Being, Promoting Community Life, and Supporting Neighbors”

Social Media Prompt: Highlight a community organization that is making a meaningful impact. #NPHW #CTPublicHealth #CPHA   

Friday, April 10: Scientific Advancement in Public Health

Today, we celebrate Scientific Advancement within Public Health. For example, scientific advancements are transforming how we understand and promote mental health, expanding access to evidence-based interventions and strengthening well-being across communities.

Featured Activities:

• CPHA webinar: “Guns to Gardens”, highlighting innovative approaches to community safety and mental health

Social Media Prompt: What public health-related scientific advancement has you feeling hopeful about the future? #NPHW #CTPublicHealth #CPHA