During this week, we emphasize that we must protect, connect, and thrive with all people (no matter where they reside), arts, culture, theater, green spaces, and the expanse of nature surrounding and nurturing us.
“What is National Public Health Week? During the first full week of April each year, the American Public Health Association brings together communities across the United States to observe National Public Health Week as a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation’s health.”
Join us for next year’s National Public Health Week, occurring April 7-13, 2025.
Daily Theme: RURAL Health
MONDAY, APRIL 1
Protecting, connecting, and thriving the public must include all people, including those living in rural areas of our country.
Event: RURAL Health Webinar: Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving: Rural Public Health and Healthcare
Time: 11 a.m. CST
Venue: Online
Rural health experts will take part in a symposium discussing various rural public health topics. The UT Health Science Center San Antonio designates this live activity up to a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Speakers and Topics:
Ty Borders, PhD, University of Kentucky Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
An Overview of Rural Population Health Concerns
Joe Benitez, PhD, University of Kentucky Rural and Underserved Health Research Center Medicaid, Access, and Rural Population Health
Andrew Bazemore, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President for Research and Policy, American Board of Family Medicine
The Contributions of Family Physicians to Access and Population Health
Peter Kaboli, MD, MS, Director, Veterans Health Affairs Office of Rural Health
Rural Veterans’ Access and Health
Daily Theme: Healthy Neighborhoods
TUESDAY, APRIL 2
Protecting, connecting, and thriving amid our parks and green spaces around our homes and in our cities is critical to our public health and wellness.
Event: Parks and Green Spaces in San Antonio
Time: 1 p.m.
Venue: Holly Auditorium, Main UT Health San Antonio Campus
Join us for an exclusive conversation featuring former Mayor Phil Hardberger and current Mayor Ron Nirenberg as they delve into San Antonio’s visionary journey of transforming public green spaces. Hear about the city’s rich history of protecting, connecting, and thriving within the lush embrace of parks and green havens.
Investment in our parks is not just an investment in the environment; it’s an investment in a healthier, more connected community.
Lunch will be provided before the discussion, with giveaways distributed after the event while supplies last. Have any questions you’d like to ask the presenters regarding green spaces? Submit to publichealth@uthscsa.edu
Daily Theme: Protecting the Arts
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3
Protecting our cultural arts, connecting with our local heritage, and thriving together creates wellness and thus is part of public health.
Event: Arte y Cultura is Public Health
Time: 12 p.m.
Venue: Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
The School of Public Health will partner with the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center on the west side of San Antonio and host an event with local artists with a discussion about intergenerational connections and their importance for health and wellbeing. Lunch will be provided.
Daily Theme: Educate, Empower, Grow
THURSDAY, APRIL 4
Learning about our community’s health challenges and ways to public health and ways to enact change are important to all.
Event: Commemorative Tree Planting
Time: 10 a.m.
Venue: School of Public Health
We invite you to attend the School of Public Health for a commemorative tree-planting featuring the City of San Antonio Urban Forestry Division. We’re not just nurturing its roots in the soil, but fostering a legacy that grows alongside our students, branching out with knowledge, strength, and supporting the health and well-being of all our people.
Event: Health Literacy Day
Time: All Day
Venue: School of Public Health Social Media channels
Join us online as we partner with Health Confianza for National Public Health Week’s Health Literacy Day! Throughout the day, we’ll be sharing public health tips and topics to ensure the safety and vitality of our community. Feel free to engage in conversations, share your ideas, and actively participate in this lively and interactive forum.
Daily Theme: Protecting the Performing Arts
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
As public health stewards, we vow to protect our performing arts, connect with professional theater, and thrive together.
Event: Theater + Public Health
Time: 11:45 a.m.
Venue: San Pedro Playhouse
Organized collaboratively by The UT School of Public Health San Antonio, The University of Texas San Antonio College of Liberal and Fine Arts, and San Pedro Playhouse, this event promises to unravel the profound connections between the arts and well-being. Attendees will be treated to “micro performances” of dance, music, and acting integrated into the agenda, featuring performers from each organization. These showcases were carefully curated to complement the discussions and will illustrate the influence each art form can have on health and well-being. Lunch will be provided before the discussion, with giveaways distributed after the event while supplies last.
Daily Theme: Walk for Wellness
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
It’s important to Move! for longevity, wellness, and overall health.
Event: Walk with a Doc
Time: 8 a.m.
Venue: O. P. Schnabel Park
We are partnering with UT Health Physicians and Bexar County Public Health for April’s Walk with a Doc event! San Antonio residents of all ages are encouraged to lace up their walking shoes and join us for this Walk with a Doc meet-up. Giveaways provided by the School of Public Health. Preregistration is not required.
MONDAY, APRIL 8
We’re extending Public Health Week to meet up during the total eclipse.
Bonus Event: Total Eclipse Meetup
Time: 1 – 2 p.m.
Venue: School of Public Health
Join the School of Public Health team as we meet up and view the total eclipse together. We’ll be outside on the steps of the newly renovated School of Public Health building handing out giveaways. You’ll also be invited to take a sneak peek at the renovations taking place.