May 2024 Health Awareness Initiatives

National Health Observances (NHOs) are special days, weeks, or months dedicated to raising awareness about important health topics.

Each month, various health initiatives are promoted to increase awareness of the cause and improve health across the country.

The health awareness initiatives in May 2024 include, but are not limited to:

  • Healthy Vision Month: An annual observance promoting healthy vision and encouraging people to take the necessary steps to care for and protect their eyesight.
  • Arthritis Awareness Month: Did you know arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting over 50 million people? May is a time to provide awareness and accurate information regarding the different types of arthritis, treatment options, and more.
  • Hepatitis Awareness Month: This initiative aims to raise awareness of hepatitis and its impact on public health. Over 325 million people live with chronic hepatitis (B or C), and each May provides an opportunity to emphasize the importance of prevention, testing, and treatment.
  • Lupus Awareness Month: Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissue. The overall well-being of those living with this inflammatory disease can be severely affected. Lupus Awareness Month is a time to provide education and advocacy around treatment options.
  • Mental Health Month: Mental health is arguably as important as one’s physical health, but is often less prioritized. Mental Health Month raises awareness for those living with mental or behavioral health conditions, emphasizing access to care and resources. Additionally, it is a time to encourage people to prioritize their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
  • National High Blood Pressure Education Month: High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States. Left untreated, those with this condition are more prone to heart disease and stroke.
  • National Stroke Awareness Month: An annual observance to raise awareness of stroke and its risks. Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, accounting for 1 in 19 deaths, according to the American Heart Association.
  • Skin Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month: As the weather heats up, and activities shift outside, it is important to take care of your skin. There are over 5 million cases of skin cancer in the United States each year, leading it to be one of the most common, but also most preventable forms of cancer. Early detection and prevention methods are stressed during this initiative.

Please keep in mind that these initiatives may vary from year to year, and new observances may be added.

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