Health awareness campaigns to mark in the diary and when to book your own checks
Want to stay on top of your wellbeing? Find out which health awareness campaigns you can mark in the diary and when to book your own checks.
Throughout the year, numerous health awareness campaigns occur. These campaigns are helpful and effective in raising awareness surrounding a particular health concern, some more well-known than others. Regardless, these campaigns are an excellent way to bring light to health issues more people should be aware of.
Aside from raising awareness, these campaigns’ primary objective is to encourage individuals to get themselves checked. It could be checking to see if they have noticed changes to a mole on their skin, if they have any lumps or if there has been a decline in their health recently. While monitoring any changes to your health is important, it is equally as important to seek medical advice.
As mentioned, throughout the year, there are various campaigns occurring each month. Keep reading to find a selection of health awareness campaigns to mark in the diary and when to book your own checks.
World Kidney Day
On the second Thursday of March, World Kidney Day is hosted to help raise awareness around the impact of kidney disease and other health-associated problems. The brain, heart and lungs are three of the most vital human organs. They are also the ones that many individuals know the importance of and potential issues that could occur should these organs be affected in any way.
However, the kidney is also considered one of the most vital organs, yet many are unaware of its impact on our bodies.
The World Kidney Day logo is cleverly designed, incorporating three block colors (blue, red, and yellow) to represent water, blood, and urine. These three elements are what our kidneys filter, clean, and eliminate. Without it, a person would have to rely on the support of a dialysis machine to perform the work of a kidney.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Taking place from October 1st to October 31st, this month marks raising awareness for breast cancer. Organized by many of the major breast cancer charities, this month encourages women to check themselves and to see their doctor if they notice any concerning lumps or changes to their breasts. In some rare cases, men can be diagnosed with breast cancer. As such, they should also check for any lumps underneath either their areola or nipple.
Of course, this month is one of the many cancer awareness months that occur throughout the year. If you want to learn more, Ezra has created a cancer awareness month calendar which details which campaigns occur in what months.
Just like with concerning changes in your health, seeking professional medical advice should be at the top of your to-do list. If you notice any lumps or changes, book in with your doctor as soon as possible. It might not be anything, but having professional checks helps to provide peace of mind. In some cases, it could be something, and you can seek the treatment you need sooner, which could help increase your chances of success.
US AIDS Awareness Month
Alongside raising awareness for breast cancer, October is also US AIDS Awareness Month. Throughout October, campaigns are launched to help educate and provide factual information about AIDS. Many of these campaigns aim to debunk the myths many have about AIDS, specifically how someone can contract the disease.
One of the most common myths that have been debunked is that AIDS can be spread by touching someone who has it. This is a common myth that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have stated that it is not possible for AIDS to spread by touching. However, AIDS can be spread if an individual comes into contact with fluids, such as blood or breast milk, from someone with AIDS.
Unfortunately, there is no cure yet for AIDS. The treatment that is available is designed to help reduce the amount of HIV that is within a person’s body, helping them to stay healthy. The treatment that is available can help those diagnosed with AIDS to control the virus. Raising awareness for AIDS, not just for the symptoms but to debunk the misconceptions, can be beneficial for the cause.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month
The first month of spring is multiple sclerosis (MS) awareness month. Throughout March, countless campaigns are launched to help cast a brighter light on the impact that M.S. can have on an individual and also their families. M.S. affects an individual’s central nervous system. Some of the most common symptoms an individual with M.S. will likely experience include bladder dysfunction and struggling with walking. It can also impact an individual’s memory too. The family and friends of those with M.S. are also impacted as they have to witness the sometimes sudden changes in their loved ones.
Due to this, raising awareness for M.S. is crucial. You might notice some people wearing orange ribbons on their jackets or coats during March. This is because orange is the official color for representing M.S. awareness. Wearing it can show support for M.S. and the work done to help find treatments, but it can also help to raise awareness, and some might wear one in memory of a loved one.
US Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week
Running from December 1st to December 7th, U.S. Crohn’s and Colitis awareness week aims to bring attention to these two forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To date, reports reveal that an estimated three million Americans are affected by IBD. Crohn’s disease can affect both men and women as it impacts the thickness of the bowel wall and causes inflammation in the intestine. It can be a painful experience, especially if you are unsure about what you are experiencing.
Unfortunately, diagnosing Crohn’s disease can take time. This is because the symptoms are similar to other conditions, meaning that it diagnosing symptoms as Crohn’s disease could be further down on the list compared to more common reasons. It is for reasons such as these why raising awareness for Crohn’s and Colitis is crucial.
Raising awareness helps to increase public knowledge about the disease. There could be individuals who are unaware that the symptoms they are experiencing is because they have Crohn’s and Colitis and have yet to be diagnosed. Learning more about the disease, they might begin to spot the experiences they have with the symptoms of Crohn’s and Colitis.
The power of raising awareness
Understandably, these months can be difficult for those who have lost someone with a specific health condition or are currently experiencing the impact it can have. Knowing that their support is available, and that awareness is being made is encouraging.
These are just a snapshot of the countless health awareness campaigns that occur throughout the year. Raising awareness helps to make these health conditions more publicly known as spoken about. However, these health awareness campaigns can also encourage donations to help fund research and drive innovation. These donations will one day, hopefully, find a cure, or at the least, treatments to help an individual adjust to life with a health condition.
Ultimately, being seen by a medical professional is a must if you feel as though you are experiencing any new changes to your health that you find concerning. Getting seen can provide peace of mind that it is nothing after tests have been performed and results are back. If it is something, the sooner it is spotted can sometimes mean the greater the success chances.
