Nashua Public Health nurse Flavia Martin, left, and program assistant Jessica Ayala with the city’s Division of Public Health & Community Services stand beside the Mobile Clinic Van on Friday afternoon. They are preparing for Nashua HIV Day, set for June 27.

NASHUA – For the twelfth consecutive year, the City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services (DPHCS), along with its many community partners, are excited to celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW) from April 3 to April 9.

Public health is involved in all aspects of our lives. It is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention. This year’s theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures of Health.” Feeling like we belong, being a part of our communities and fostering cultural connections supports our health and the quality of our lives. Communities are healthier, safer and stronger when we support and stay engaged with one another.

The mission of the Nashua DPHCS is to promote, protect, and preserve the health and wellbeing of the Greater Nashua Region through leadership and community collaboration. This past year, the Nashua DPHCS continued to provide a range of direct services and engage partners on strategic initiatives to ensure the overall health and well-being of every member of our community.

Over the past year, Nashua DPHCS: provided over 3,000 immunizations; launched PrEP services to expand HIV prevention efforts; served over 700 individuals and families through case management, referrals to social service agencies, and direct assistance; expanded community outreach through the creation of a fatherhood support group; conducted over 1,500 routine food and pool inspections; had 3 Environmental Health Department staff obtain their Certified Professional in Food Safety (CP-FS) Credential through the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA); facilitated the 5th Annual Mayor’s Opioid Task Force Legislative Breakfast; reached tens of thousands of individuals through health promotion and education messages; and commenced planning for the 2023 Community Health Assessment.

During National Public Health Week, the Nashua DPHCS and collaborating partners will raise awareness of public health, promote healthy behaviors, and, of course, have fun! We will celebrate the power of prevention, advocate for healthy and fair policies, share strategies for successful partnerships, and champion the role of a strong public health system. The Nashua DPHCS will commence Public Health Week with a kickoff event at 11 AM on Monday, April 3 at the St. Patrick’s Gym (Access via Main Street, Nashua). The event will include a proclamation reading by the City of Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess followed by a walk on Main Street with Mayor Donchess and a Cultures of Health Community Celebration featuring local community organizations and a free raffle. We encourage our community to join us at the event or attend virtually via Facebook Live at www.Facebook.com/NashuaDPHCS.

Throughout the rest of the week, we will be featuring community events and educational opportunities in Greater Nashua on our website. All featured activities are free to the public and celebrate local public health efforts. Some of the activities include:

United Way Fresh Food Pop-Up Pantry from 11 AM – 12:30 PM on Monday, April 3 at Harbor Care (45 High Street, Nashua). The United Way’s Winter Fresh Food Pantry will be distributing fresh food. All are welcome.

Healing After Loss from 7 – 8 PM on Thursday, April 6 at the Nashua Public Library (NPL Theater). Come and be part of an impactful talk with local author Susan Lynch. Susan will delve into how to better support those who are grieving from a stigmatized loss, share insights on healing after a loss, and discuss what she learned from her son’s passing following an accidental overdose.

Rural Health and Nutrition Event from 3 – 5 PM on Friday, April 7 hosted by Greater Nashua Mental Health at Grow Nashua’s community garden (1 Eldridge Street, Nashua). Learn about the benefits of gardening and having access to home grown healthy food. Attendees will get a pot with seeds and soil to take home.

Community Conversations: Reimagining Self-Care from 6 – 7:30 PM on Friday, April 7 at Arlington Street Community Center (36 Arlington Street, Nashua) in partnership with Greater Nashua Smart Start Coalition. This is a 3-session event starting on April 7 led by Jennice Chewlin from the Chewlin Group who will be facilitating conversations about health and wellbeing through the lens of culture.

For more details and a full listing of Public Health Week activities in Greater Nashua, please visit https://nashuanh.gov/1132/Public-Health-Week. Connect with us on Facebook (NashuaDPHCS), and Twitter (@NashuaPHealth) to engage in conversation. If you have any questions, contact Sarah Aissis, Health Promotion and Communication Specialist at the Nashua DPHCS, at assiss@nashuanh.gov or 603-589-4508. For more information about National Public Health Week and how other communities are celebrating across the nation, visit www.NPHW.org.

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