Health Observance

February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month! Approximately 1 in 4 pregnant women carry GBS, the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). GBS can also infect babies during pregnancy and the first few months of life. The good news is that it can be prevented, and you can help!

Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are our nation's No. 1 killer. To urge Americans to join the battle against these diseases, since 1963 Congress has required the president to proclaim February "American Heart Month." (Note this is not "Heart Month" or "National Heart Month.") The American Heart Association works with the administration to draft and sign this annual proclamation. During American Heart Month, thousands of our volunteers visit their neighbors. Their goal is to raise funds for research and education and pass along information about heart disease and stroke.

January has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month for over forty years (since 1970).  Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months due to holiday travel schedules, inclement weather and illness and January in particular is a difficult month for blood center blood donations. Few blood centers can maintain more than a three-day supply of blood for transfusions. The need for blood, platelets, and plasma is constant, but only three in every 100 Americans donate blood.

NBDPN Education and Outreach Committee has developed materials and resources to assist state program staff and others interested in promoting birth defects prevention during 'January is Birth Defects Prevention Month'. Each year, the committee selects a different theme to highlight a specific risk factor or defect.

The United States Congress designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month. During January, you may wish to highlight issues related to cervical cancer, HPV disease and the importance of early detection. Some of the issues you may wish to highlight are personal stories of women and family members/caregivers battling issues related to their persistent HPV/precancer and/or cervical cancer.

For information specific to the migrant and underserved populations, visit the MCN Cancer page.

Each year, the Organization selects a key global health issue and organizes international, regional and local events on the Day and throughout the year to highlight the selected area. Among the casualties in emergencies, disasters and other crises (natural, biological, technological, or societal and conflict-related) are often health workers, facilities and services. This, in turn, deprives affected populations of vital health services that can be the difference between life and death.

APHA says that despite our best efforts, Americans are not as healthy as they should be. Although we spend more on health care than any other country, the health system is failing and our nation is falling behind in many important measures of what it means to be healthy. We have reached a point where we must examine our health system and the foundation upon which it stands. We have the potential to greatly improve our population’s health in the future.

Antibiotics cure bacterial infections, not viral infections such as:

• Colds or flu;
• Most coughs and bronchitis;
• Sore throats not caused by strep; or
• Runny noses.

For nearly 25 years, the essential work of infection preventionists across the globe has been commemorated during this exceptional week. Historically, IIPW has highlighted the infection prevention profession and its work in educating healthcare professionals and administrators, legislators, and consumers about the importance of reducing infection. And, this year is no exception.

Protecting your eyes from injury is one of the most basic things you can do to keep your vision healthy throughout your life. For information and resources specific to underserved populations and eye care see MCN's Eye Care page.