Public Health: It Starts Here

This month marks the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week (NPHW), and I’m especially moved by this year’s theme: “It Starts Here.” That message resonates deeply—it’s a perfect reflection of what we do every day in community health. 

Public health has always been the foundation of strong, thriving communities. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. captured it powerfully: 

“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be... This is the interrelated structure of reality.” 

That’s why we can all say with confidence, “It Starts Here.” No matter our role or background, each of us has a part to play in advancing public health. 

As the American Public Health Association (APHA) reminds us, public health is bigger than individual care—it includes the environments that shape our health: clean water, safe food, housing, education, transportation, and more. 

Over the past 30 years, public health efforts have led to remarkable progress: 

• Cleaner air and water 

• Safer roads 

• Expanded health education and prevention 

• Greater health awareness 

• And much more 

While we’ve made strides, the work is far from finished. 

At the heart of both public and community health is a shared goal: optimizing health for all. That means ensuring everyone—regardless of ZIP code, income, or background—has access to the care and resources they need to thrive. 

Throughout my career, including my time as founding director of the UAMS 12th Street Health and Wellness Center, I’ve seen firsthand how access to compassionate, high-quality care transforms lives. Community health centers are a cornerstone of public health. We champion access, listen deeply to the needs of our patients, and meet people where they are. 

That impact is only possible because of the incredible workforce behind the mission. Our community health centers work hard to support and retain team members who live in—and reflect—the communities they serve. Public health is people-powered, and its strength depends on a dedicated, resilient workforce. 

As we celebrate 30 years of NPHW, let’s recommit to the belief that public health starts with each of us—in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and clinics. Together, by building stronger, healthier communities, we shape a more promising and resilient future for everyone.