Health professionals deserve thanks

This Thanksgiving week, let's thank our Iowa public health professionals who go above and beyond to protect the health of all Iowans.

Public health professionals dedicate their time and energy to combat disease outbreaks and other health threats. These behind the scene heroes keep our drinking water safe and air clean, develop vaccines, track and investigate infections and protect us against health challenges such as the Ebola virus, obesity, foodborne illnesses, natural disasters and more.

Public health professionals focus on preventing disease and injury by promoting healthy lifestyles. They implement educational programs, develop policies, administer services, conduct research and regulate health systems to achieve these goals.

The Iowa Public Health Association marked Monday as Public Health Thank You Day and salutes Iowa's public health heroes. However, we know that public health matters to every Iowan in every home, in every school, in every clinic, in every business, in every community, every day.

Jeneane Moody

Executive director

Iowa Public Health Association

Des Moines