VIEWPOINT | Community input is crucial to strong public health advocacy in South Dakota
Guest column by Jennifer Noll Folliard and DenYelle Baete Kenyon
There is a common saying in public health: “Everything is public health.” That is because public health touches nearly every aspect of our daily lives. It is the clean water we drink, the air we breathe, the safety of the food we eat and the environments where we live, work, learn and play. These conditions do not happen by accident; they are shaped by policies, systems and collective investments. Much like public education, public health reflects a shared commitment to creating the conditions where all people have the opportunity to thrive.
Public health is your local school nurse caring for children, your extension agent helping families and farmers, your WIC dietitian supporting healthy pregnancies and babies and your food inspector ensuring meals are safe to eat. Public health is as dynamic as the communities it serves. As communities change, public health must adapt to meet new challenges, respond to emerging threats and address evolving needs.
