Graphic: American Public Health Association

Gratitude is always a good thing because it helps us to keep Life in perspective. We take so many things for granted that we don't appreciate what we have until we don't have it anymore.

I like Research!America's annual "Public Health Thank You Day" because it puts what is my greatest love, Public Health, on the forefront, even if it's just for one day a year.

A re-posting of my 2009 blog entry: Here are some of things we can be thankful for, with many thanks to all the Public Health Professionals, at all levels of practice, who have dedicated their careers to protecting the Public's Health in a variety of ways...

• Waking up this morning from clean bedding that is not contaminated by pathogens;
• Using a bathroom so human waste is disposed of properly;
• Being able to drink water from the faucet without getting some disease;
• Being able to eat breakfast without getting some disease;
• Dropping off your kids in schools knowing they won't get sick because everyone got their immunizations;
• Driving to work and not being exposed to harmful emissions from motor vehicles;
• Going to work and spending the day in an environment that won't make you sick;
• Going to lunch and eating in a restaurant that's been inspected;
• Going for a walk and not being exposed to second-hand smoke or rotting garbage;
• Getting a haircut and knowing those cutting your hair have been licensed;
• Going to see health care professionals and knowing they are competent because they are licensed to practice;
• Going to any health care facility and knowing they are licensed;
• Going to bed and feeling safe because disaster preparedness exists at every level of government.