Health Observance

"The annual Caribbean-American Health/AIDS Awareness Day was created to provide Caribbean-Americans with resources, HIV/AIDS health education, evaluation, and opportunities for involvement. The goal is to beat the odds and to ensure that we cultivate a health conscious atmosphere within our communities.

A survivor as anyone living with a history of cancer, from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life. An estimated 11.1 million Americans are living with a cancer diagnosis. National Cancer Survivors Day affords a community the opportunity to demonstrate that it has an active, productive cancer survivor population.

The Sun Safety Aliance encourages you to bring awareness to Sun Safety Week. We enourage you to learn about preventative measures from our Cancer page and Environmental & Occupational Health page.

The National Headache Foundation encourages you to bring awareness to http://www.headaches.org/NHF_Programs/National_Headache_Awareness_Week/National_Headache_Awareness_Week_2010">National Headache Awareness Week. We encourage you to visit MCN's Environmental and Occupational Health page to learn more about the relationship between headaches and occupational hazards.

May 18^th is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD). This annual observance is a day to recognize and thank the thousands of volunteers, community members, health professionals, and scientists who are working together to find a safe and effective HIV vaccine. It is also a day to educate our communities about the importance of preventive HIV vaccine research. In recognition of HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, community activities and media events are being held around the country.

The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health declares the first full week in May as National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. This week is dedicated to increasing public awareness about the triumphs and challenges in children’s mental health and emphasizing the importance of family and youth involvement in the children’s mental health movement!

May is National Toxic Encephalopathy and Chemical Injury Awareness Month. Visit the MCN Environmental & Occupational Health page for information specific to migrant and underserved populations.

Advocates for Youth sponsors National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTPPM). Observed each May by states and communities throughout the country, NTPPM seeks to involve communities in promoting and supporting effective teen pregnancy prevention initiatives. From Hawaii to Maine, NTPPM's momentum continues to grow. Councils and other pregnancy prevention organizations continue to initiate new and innovative ideas.

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month and this year's theme highlights the threat of uncontrolled hypertension. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) urges Americans: "If Your Blood Pressure Is Not Lower Than 140/90, Ask Your Doctor Why."

Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to  be "National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month." It's a peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers, and a perfect time to educate your patients, family, friends, co-workers and others about these diseases.