09/16/2026
🪶🪶🪶 1,016 YOUTH. 90 SCHOOLS. ONE POWERFUL DAY OF HEALTH PROMOTION & PUBLIC HEALTH
This is what Public Health and Health Promotion in Action looks like.
The 2026 Navajo Nation Youth Day brought together 1,016 youth and family members representing 90 schools—from preschool through middle school—during the Navajo Nation Fair. In the middle of it all was the Strong Warrior Obstacle Course. 💪🏽 Youth were given an opportunity to run, climb, crawl, jump, throw, and even mini golf to challenge themselves, and work together in an environment built around physical activity, confidence, teamwork, and fun.
We know that promoting healthy lifestyles is about more than providing information. It is about creating opportunities for people to participate, connect, and experience healthy behaviors.
For these young people, physical activity wasn’t a lecture.
It was an experience.
A challenge to overcome.
A teammate to encourage.
A finish line to cross.
A moment to be proud of.
A positive memory of being active.
And behind that experience was an incredible network of professionals and partners working together to make it possible.
The Navajo Area IHS Health Promotion Disease Prevention Department in collaboration with the Strong Warriors extends our sincere Ahéhee’ to the Service Unit HPDP programs at Gallup Indian Medical Center, Chinle, Crownpoint, Shiprock, Four Corners Regional Health Center, and the New Mexico Department of Health Northwest Region Health Promotions Crownpoint New Horizons Wellness Center; Navajo Area Office of Environmental Health; and all of the staff, volunteers, schools, families, and community partners who contributed to this year’s Youth Day.
1,016 young people experienced health promotion firsthand.
That is more than a number.
That is Public Health.
That is Health Promotion.
That is community partnership in action. 💪🏽
