KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - The events following September 11th clearly demonstrated the vital role that public health plays in protecting and promoting the public's health locally, nationally and worldwide.

During the first week of April, organizations and communities are coming together to celebrate public health's historic accomplishments as well as the recent efforts of public health workers in New York, Florida, Washington, DC and elsewhere who put themselves in harm's way in order to protect others.

As part of this celebration and re-dedication to the work of public health, King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels have jointly proclaimed April 1st through 7th, 2002, as Public Health Week for King County and the City of Seattle, respectively.

Seattle and King County are joined internationally in this effort, as both the World Health Organization and the American Association for World Health have declared April 7th as World Health Day.

This year's theme for World Health Day, Move for Health, challenges people to incorporate physical activity in their daily lives. Later this week, Public Health - Seattle & King County will celebrate this with the launch of new webpages dedicated to supporting physical activity in our communities.