Celebrate Public Health Thank You Day on November 22, 2021
November 22 is Public Health Thank You Day. Every year, on the Monday before Thanksgiving, Research!America brings together public health organizations and supporters to celebrate #PHTYD and show gratitude to the public health workforce for their devotion to protecting and improving health — both in America and around the world.
Public health personnel work in many places, from community clinics to health departments to research labs. From the everyday to the extraordinary, these heroes ensure our drinking water is clean, our communities healthy, and our children safe. They also teach us how to reduce the risk of chronic disease. Today, as the most dangerous pandemic in a century continues, our gratitude cannot be any greater.
“For sixteen years Public Health Thank You Day has provided an opportunity to celebrate those whose skill and dedication protect and improve the health of our communities,” said Mary Woolley, president and CEO of Research!America.“ COVID-19 has tested the public health workforce like no other time in recent history. Please join us in expressing our gratitude for all the ways they persevere to secure the public good and prepare to meet future health threats.”
With ingenuity and commitment, the public health workforce continues to combat the pandemic while still fighting ongoing health threats like opioid abuse, responding to emergencies, engaging in disease prevention, promoting vaccination, protecting maternal and child health, and fighting misinformation — among many other priorities.
And though this is a day framed by big issues, its focus is on individuals. Everyone knows someone who is part of the public health workforce. Each of us know specific people and groups we can reach out to online to say “thank you.”
Public Health Thank You Day has inspired involvement at every level, offering ways for everyone to show their support. Every year, governmental public officials — such as the HHS Secretary, CDC and NIH directors, U.S. Surgeon General, members of Congress, and governors — have voiced their thanks for those who serve as public health heroes.
This year, bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Public Health Caucus — Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) — are expected to share their support with a resolution expressing the sentiment of Congress that the public health workforce should be commended for their dedication and continued service on Public Health Thank You Day.
More information and materials can be found at www.PublicHealthThankYouDay.org.Individuals and organizations can use the hashtag #PHTYD across all social media platforms to join in recognizing the contributions of the public health workforce.
About Research!America
Research!America is a non-profit medical and health research advocacy alliance. The Research!America alliance advocates for science, discovery, and innovation to achieve better health for all. Visit www.ResearchAmerica.org.
Contact Tim Haynes, Senior Director of Communications, at 571-482-2737 or [email protected] with press inquiries.