It’s present everywhere, every day and in everybody’s life. Many residents of Johnston County are not even aware of this silent force in their lives. Public health affects us all, ensuring that food served in our restaurants is safe to eat, keeping our water clean, making sure our children are vaccinated against dangerous diseases, and generally contributing to the quality of life in our county.

The Johnston County Health Department wants us to know about these and other public health benefits, so they are celebrating North Carolina Public Health Month in April. This year’s Public Health Month theme is “A Healthier America Begins Today.”

Public health is a quiet miracle, silently ensuring that our most basic and critical life needs are met,” Marilyn Pearson, MD, health director for Johnston County said. “But because public health generally works to prevent problems, it often goes unnoticed. If people could imagine how chaotic and unsafe things would be without public health, they would appreciate the important role it plays in their daily lives.”

The Johnston County Health Department will be celebrating Public Health Month with a variety of activities, including a Health Fair and a Walk for Health. Johnston County residents are invited to participate in the health fair at the Health Department in Smithfield on April 25 from 1:30 – 5 p.m. and the walk on April 28 from 8 – 11 a.m. on the Buffalo Creek Greenway in Smithfield. “We hope county residents will come out and see these dynamic examples of public health working for them and learn how they can get involved,” Marilyn Pearson said.

Johnston County Health Department staff has been working with and serving the public health needs of Johnston County residents for 75 years, providing clinical and environmental services and health education programs that are critical to the well-being of the community.

For more information about how public health is working for you, please call the health education department at 919-989-5200.