Health Awareness Events
Below you’ll find a small sampling of our awareness months and healthcare events – to see all 100+ healthcare calendar observances this year, see our interactive online Healthcare Calendar suite.
Health awareness months help to increase understanding and knowledge of various conditions. These months can boost compassion in communities and encourage individuals to stay on top of their health. These months are often celebrated by patients, healthcare companies, nonprofits, etc. Consider incorporating these months into your healthcare calendar!
Health Calendar 2024: January
Thyroid Awareness Month
Your thyroid helps to control a range of body systems, and when it misfunctions, there can be serious ailments that result. Thyroid Awareness Month is designated by the Blue Paisley Ribbon, and it’s helpful in ensuring that people recognize when something is wrong with their thyroid, which causes other symptoms like heart problems, osteoporosis, infertility, depression, etc.
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
The only way to diagnose glaucoma is with a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Raising awareness of glaucoma is essential to ensure that people who need it receive early treatment. Green is the designated color for Glaucoma Awareness Month.
Medical Awareness Events 2024: February
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
AMD is the leading cause of low vision and blindness in Americans who are over 60 years of age. It impacts 1.6 million Americans. This awareness month can help people to recognize their symptoms early and seek treatment to prevent early loss of eyesight.
Healthcare Calendar of Events: March
Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
March is MS Education and Awareness Month. Its main goal is to promote the scope of this disease and to assist those with MS in making educated decisions about their healthcare. Everyone is invited to participate in this awareness month which is designated by the color orange.
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
In 1993, the Endometriosis Association began this awareness month to enhance education and fundraising surrounding the disorder. Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition where endometrial tissue of the uterus grows outside the uterus. The month is designated by a yellow ribbon.
Healthcare Observances 2023: April
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month
IBS is a disorder where the gut and brain “over-communicate.” This overcommunication causes symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. This month raises awareness that is common — about 5 to 10 percent of the world experience it.
Medicaid Awareness Month
April raises awareness for Medicaid — a lifeline for millions of Americans (especially children) who otherwise wouldn’t have healthcare. This month helps to highlight the importance that this program plays in the lives of adults, children, and people with disabilities.
National Autism Awareness Month
The Autism Society launched National Autism Awareness Month to promote awareness about autism and promote inclusion and self-determination for all individuals. This month is celebrated with presidential/congressional declarations, online events and activities, partner opportunities, and local events.
Health Calendar 2023: May
National Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month
May has been National Asthma & Allergy Month since 1984. This month is the peak season for all those that suffer from symptoms; as a result, it’s the ideal time to educate patients, families, friends, coworkers, and all other members of the public about these diseases.
National Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Celiac disease is a serious genetic autoimmune issue. Every May, this awareness month helps to increase the public’s knowledge of what it means to be gluten-free. The month also raises funds for critical celiac disease research.
National Stroke Awareness Month
This awareness month is a critical time for the community to learn about the symptoms of a stroke — sudden confusion, trouble speaking, loss of balance, etc. Knowing these symptoms and getting help immediately can be life-saving!
Healthcare Awareness Months 2024: June
Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
Did you know that more than 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia globally? June helps to raise awareness for these diseases and invites conversation about the brain. Wear purple in support of dementia awareness and donate to further research!
PTSD Awareness Month
There are 8 million people in the U.S. struggling with PTSD — most often these individuals are veterans or civilian survivors of sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, etc. Unfortunately, many don’t get the help they need even with PTSD treatments available. This month helps to raise awareness for this condition and encourage those suffering from it to reach out to get the help they need.
Scoliosis Awareness Month
This awareness month aims to highlight the need for public education so that scoliosis can be detected early and treated as soon as possible. During June, Scoliosis Awareness Month runs events, holds meet-ups in the community, and gets involved in local groups to promote further understanding of the condition.
Healthcare Calendar 2024: July
Cord Blood Awareness Month
This awareness month is held to raise awareness of the importance of cord blood. Cord blood is the blood and tissue from the placenta and umbilical cord when a baby is born. Cord blood can be used to cure various diseases. However, cord blood is only collected 5 to 10 percent of the time. Increased awareness of its importance can help promote its preservation.
Group B Strep Awareness Month
Group Strep B is the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborns. Raising awareness for GBS can ensure that both mothers and babies receive the proper healthcare during birth to promote healthy outcomes.
Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
Did you know that arthritis can impact children as well as older people? Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month seeks to highlight information about the condition and share resources that can help both individuals suffering from it as well as their loved ones.
Healthcare Observance Calendar 2024: August
National Immunization Awareness Month
This month seeks to highlight the importance of vaccinating people of all ages. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you have any hesitancy about vaccination.
National Breastfeeding Month
There’s long been a debate about breastfeeding versus formula feeding, but the science behind breastfeeding cannot be denied. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding whenever possible, and it estimates that universal breastfeeding could save about 820,000 lives each year. This awareness month is dedicated to the promotion and advocacy of the practice.
Health Calendar Awareness Month 2024: September
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Childhood obesity has been deemed one of the most serious health challenges of the 21st century. When a child suffers from obesity, they’re at risk for other health issues later in life. This month is dedicated to raising awareness for childhood obesity and helping those working with children to make simple changes — i.e., encouraging families to offer fruit as snacks or advocating for healthier school lunches.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Month
September raises awareness for PCOS, which is the leading cause of infertility in females. Because this is one of the most underdiagnosed diseases in the world, raising awareness can ensure that women receive the proper medical care. This month is designated by the color teal.
Health Awareness Months 2024: October
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Of all the awareness months on this list, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is one you may have celebrated previously. This annual campaign is well-publicized, and it’s helped raise awareness about the impacts of breast cancer since 1985. Each year, the theme for this awareness month changes. In 2022, the theme is “Breast Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate.”
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October first became Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the 1980s. It’s used as a time to raise awareness for the syndrome and to celebrate their abilities and accomplishments. The takeaway of this month is that people with Down Syndrome are just like everyone else!
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month
SIDS awareness month seeks to educate parents and caregivers about how they can create a safe sleep environment. Abiding by safe sleep principles can drastically reduce sudden infant death syndrome, which approximately 3,500 infants die from each year in the U.S.
Healthcare Calendar of Events 2024: November
National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
This month focuses on cancer that begins in the pancreas — an organ in the abdomen that lies behind the lower part of the stomach. Not only does this month raise awareness of the symptoms for early detention, but it also raises money for lifesaving cancer research. There are 18 million cancer survivors in the U.S. who are living with, through, and beyond their disease thanks to donations!
Prematurity Awareness Month
Did you know that nearly 400,000 babies are born preterm each year? National Prematurity Month provides an opportunity to reflect on why this occurs and what we can do (as a society) to help prevent it. Most recently, we saw a national rate of preterm birth decline by 8 percent between 2007 and 2014. You can help further by donating to support lifesaving research, advocacy, and programs to improve the health of expecting moms and preterm babies.
Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
It’s November — that means Thanksgiving, right? When you think about eating your way through the holidays, spend a little bit of extra time thinking about those whose stomachs aren’t in great shape because of gastric cancer. Stomach Cancer Awareness Month seeks to raise awareness, so people detect this disease early or prevent it altogether. It also hopes to bring in additional funding for much-needed research.
Healthcare Observances Month 2024: December
December is a month full of awareness weeks and days, but it doesn’t currently host any health awareness months.
For diversity days, diversity events and multicultural celebrations throughout the year, explore our Diversity Calendar 2024.
Celebrate and schedule with inclusion with our Interfaith Calendar 2024.