NET Health began National Public Health Week by celebrating achievements, announcing events and challenges, and hosting a one-mile walk around the Tyler Rose Garden Center on April 1. (Katecey Harrell/ Tyler Morning Telegraph)

NET Health began National Public Health Week on Monday by celebrating achievements, announcing events and challenges, and hosting a one-mile walk around the Tyler Rose Garden Center.

“We have programs and services all over East Texas,” said NET Health CEO George Roberts. “We have WIC (Women, Infants and Children) clinics in 20 counties in East Texas, and we do public health emergency preparedness and disease preparedness in seven counties in East Texas.”

Roberts welcomed guests and elected officials like Tyler Mayor Don Warren and Smith County Commissioner Ralph Caraway, who proclaimed April 1 through 7 as a time to celebrate the annual observance of National Public Health Week.

Essay contest winners were announced. Georgina Rodriguez placed first, Priscillia Ihionkhan placed second and Aayam Shrestha placed third.

Guests also heard statements from NET Health and UT Tyler School of Health Professions and concluded the event with a walk around the Rose Garden.

The Northeast Texas Public Health District was established in 1936 as a joint effort by the City of Tyler, Smith County, and the Texas Department of Health to form the Tyler-Smith County Health Unit. Since 1900, public health initiatives have added approximately 25 years to the average American lifespan through measures such as clean water, safe food and vaccinations.

Public health is the focus of various events scheduled throughout the week.

From 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, the East Texas Food Bank Tyler Resource Center will have a chef from Tyler Junior College demonstrate how to use the foods available at the food bank.

From noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Dr. Kenneth Cooper, 94, founder of Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, will talk about the impact of aerobics.

On Saturday, there will be a community health fair from 9 to 11 a.m. at UT Tyler Academic Building. There will be food trucks, including a healthy food truck, and NET Health will provide free vaccinations.