Safety is Focus of Public Health Week, April 4-10

            This week, April 4-10, is National Public Health Week in the United States, and the Douglas County Health Department is asking you to participate in this year’s theme: “Safety is No Accident.”

             “While so much of our time is spent in preparation for disease outbreaks and advocating for a healthier lifestyle, injury is a major killer in our community,” said Dr. Adi Pour, director of the Douglas County Health Department. “Injuries also cause a significant amount of lost work time and decreased quality of life.”

            Injuries can be so-called accidents or they can be the result of intended harm caused by another individual.  Each year, nearly 150,000 people die from injuries and nearly 30 million people suffer an injury that is serious enough to require an emergency room trip.

            This year, the Douglas County Health Department is joining with the National Safety Council, the Omaha Police Department, the U.S. Department of Justice and the City of Omaha for a special program on Thursday night, April 7, entitled, “Gun Safety: Keeping Handguns Out Of The Wrong Hands!”

            The seminar will take place at the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter, 11620 M Circle, in Omaha. The free event is open to the public, and will feature Omaha City Prosecutor Marty Conboy, Ray Fidone from the Nebraska U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Sgt. Jake Ritonya of the Omaha Police Department.

            “’Promoting and Protecting Public Health’ is our mission statement,” Dr. Pour said. “Please join us in making Omaha and Douglas County a healthier and safer community. It’s a responsibility to which we are dedicated every day of the year.”