This is National Public Health Week, a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation.  This year’s theme is, “Public Health: Start Here” and each day has a specific focus.  Public health starts at home.  From family nutrition and maternal health to safety precautions and disaster preparedness, the first step the community takes toward public health are in the comfort of their own home.  For example, breastfeeding is recommended for at least the first year of a child’s life, and exclusively for the first 6 months.  Longer lifetime durations of breastfeeding are associated with decreased risks of maternal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  In addition, longer durations of breastfeeding are associated with decreased risk of many common childhood infections and sudden infant death syndrome, as well as chronic conditions in offspring such as obesity, Type 1 diabetes, and leukemia.  The most effective way to encourage breastfeeding among soon-to-be or new mothers is education.  Encourage growing families in your community to attend educational seminars on breastfeeding that outline best practices and benefits.  Share resources such as informational videos and websites with new mothers on breastfeeding, such as www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/ or www2.aap.org/breastfeeding/.  Public health professionals can help answer questions or provide resources for breastfeeding, prenatal health and other topics related to family health.