Physician and educator emphasizes the role of individuals in reducing risks and protecting public health
WOODBRIDGE, CT / ACCESS Newswire / September 17, 2025 / David Banach of Woodbridge, CT is raising awareness about the critical importance of infection prevention, calling on communities to take proactive steps to protect themselves and others. Drawing on nearly two decades of clinical practice, teaching, and research, Banach emphasizes that small actions by individuals can create lasting impacts for public health.
"Infection prevention is about systems, but systems are built by people," Banach explains. "When each person makes small choices-like washing their hands, staying home when sick, or supporting vaccination programs-it adds up to a safer community for everyone."
Why It Matters
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthcare-associated infections affect 1 in 31 patients on any given day in U.S. hospitals. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that millions of infections could be prevented each year with simple measures such as hand hygiene and early detection.
"We know how infections spread, Banach says. "And we know how to prevent many of them. Although we are learning over time, the challenge often isn't knowledge-it's action and specifically implementing clinical and public measures needed to prevent infections."
Lessons from Leadership
Banach has long advocated for prevention as the first line of defense. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped guide strategies at both the hospital and state level, focusing on evidence-based decision-making. "The hardest moments were when we didn't have all the answers," he recalls, "but we always came back to the same question: how do we keep the most people safe?"
His experience reinforces the message that prevention is not limited to experts. "Each of us has a role," he says. "Community health is shared health."
A Call to Action
Banach urges individuals to consider what they can do today to lower the risk of infection in their own lives and neighborhoods. Steps include:
Practice good hygiene: Handwashing with soap and water remains one of the most effective tools.
Stay home when sick: Protecting others begins with limiting exposure.
Get recommended vaccines: Vaccination helps prevent serious illness and slows community spread.
Support community health programs: Volunteer time or resources to organizations that provide care for vulnerable populations.
"Service isn't something you schedule-it's a way of living," Banach says. "If each of us takes responsibility, even in small ways, we create stronger, healthier communities."
About David Banach of Woodbridge, CT
David Banach is a physician board-certified in Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine. He is a professor, researcher, and leader in infection prevention who has published over 60 scientific articles. In addition to his clinical and academic work, he volunteers at free clinics and serves on community boards.
Call to Action:
Banach encourages individuals to learn more about infection prevention through trusted public health sources and to take personal responsibility in daily life. "The choices we make each day matter," he says. "Together, we can prevent infections and save lives."
To read the full interview, click here.
Email: davidbanach@emaildn.com
SOURCE: David Banach
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