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July Health Awareness Calendar

July Health Awareness Calendar



Juvenile Arthritis Month

The goal of Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month is to spread the word that kids get arthritis, too. Most people are surprised to learn that arthritis isn’t “just an old person’s disease” and can affect children as young as just a few months old.

For more information visit the Arthritis Foundation

Cord Blood Awareness Month

Cord blood banking provides a simple process of safely and securely storing the blood within your child’s umbilical cord, as well as the tissue from the cord itself. Parents have the option of banking their baby’s cord blood with a public cord blood bank, or a private cord blood banks.

For more information visit Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Foundation

Healthy Vision Month

File:US-NIH-NEI-Logo.svg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org

Healthy Vision Month 2024 is focused on helping people with a visual impairment know how to access vision rehabilitation services, mental health support, and social connection.

For more information visit National Eye Institute

National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month

Cleft and craniofacial conditions affect thousands of infants, children, teens and adults in the United States each year. Some are born with congenital anomalies like cleft lip and palate, others with more complex, life-threatening craniofacial conditions. Some are burned; others are injured in accidents and animal attacks, or diagnosed with various oral/head/neck and skin diseases.

For more information visit NCCAPM

Sarcoma Awareness Month

Every July, the sarcoma community comes together to acknowledge Sarcoma Awareness Month and pay tribute to those affected by sarcoma, and to advocate for the needs of those living with sarcoma. From Wear Yellow Day to a National Virtual Race to Cure Sarcoma, SFA has something for everyone to get involved in moving our cause forward.

For more information visit Sarcoma Foundation of America

UV Safety Month

AAD launched its annual skin cancer awareness campaign to educate the public about skin cancer detection and prevention. The campaign’s key messages about sun safety were seen more than a billion times in news outlets across the country and urged Americans to #PracticeSafeSun to protect themselves from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation while outdoors.

For more information visit American Academy of Dermatology

July 13th is Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) Awareness Day

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) is a rare sarcoma that lacks public knowledge and funding, which makes research difficult. The mission of the GIST Cancer Awareness day is to provide informational support to GIST patients and their families through established community support groups; increase public awareness of GIST using private and public media tools; and to raise funds to award research grants for the expanded investigation of GIST.

For more information visit The Life Raft Group

July 28th is World Hepatitis Day

Every year, 1.3 million people lose their lives to hepatitis. And new data from the World Health Organization shows the number of deaths is rising. The tools we need to eliminate hepatitis by 2030 – but progress is still too slow. Resources are not being mobilized; stigma and discrimination are not being addressed; and despite commitments made by governments and institutions, millions are being left behind.

For more information visit World Hepatitis Day

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AI Shows Promise in Cancer Detection with 17% Greater Accuracy Than Doctors: Insights from UCLA Study
Photo by CDC on Unsplash

AI Shows Promise in Cancer Detection with 17% Greater Accuracy Than Doctors: Insights from UCLA Study

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has revealed that artificial intelligence (AI) systems can detect cancer with 17% greater accuracy than experienced human doctors. This study, published on July 20, 2024, has significant implications for the future of cancer diagnosis and treatment for everyone.

The Study: Methodology and Key Findings

Led by Dr. Emily Smith, the UCLA research team compared the diagnostic accuracy of AI algorithms with that of seasoned oncologists. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset comprising thousands of medical images and pathology reports across various cancer types, including breast, lung, and prostate cancers, the study aimed to evaluate the precision of AI in identifying malignancies.

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Celebrating Disability Pride Month: Understanding Its Importance

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions, achievements, and experiences of people with disabilities. This month not only highlights the diversity and richness within the disability community but also serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing fight for equal rights and opportunities. It is important to understand why this is so important for everyone.

Acknowledging History and Struggle

Disability Pride Month commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. This landmark legislation was a pivotal moment in the fight for disability rights, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. By celebrating Disability Pride Month, we honor the activists and advocates who fought tirelessly for these rights and continue to work towards a more inclusive society .

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Transform Your Health with the Power of Meal Planning

Meal planning is a powerful tool for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It involves deciding in advance what to eat for meals and snacks, and it can significantly impact overall health, time management, and even financial well-being. Here, we explore why meal planning is essential and how it can benefit various aspects of life.

1. Nutritional Balance

One of the primary benefits of meal planning is ensuring nutritional balance. When meals are planned ahead, it’s easier to incorporate a variety of food groups and nutrients into your diet. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, planning meals helps individuals make healthier food choices, ensuring they consume adequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats . This balanced approach helps prevent nutritional deficiencies and supports overall health.

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June is CPR and AED Awareness Month: Empowering Communities to Save Lives

Every June, CPR and AED Awareness Month is observed to highlight the importance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in saving lives. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death worldwide, and immediate intervention with CPR and AEDs can significantly increase survival rates. This month-long observance aims to educate the public, promote training, and encourage widespread accessibility of these life-saving techniques and devices.

The Importance of CPR and AEDs

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops beating, disrupting blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time, regardless of age or health status. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States alone, with a survival rate of less than 10% without intervention .

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The Hidden Crisis: Why Men Avoid Medical Help and Its Deadly Consequences

The Hidden Crisis: Why Men Avoid Medical Help and Its Deadly Consequences

Despite advancements in physical and mental healthcare, a persistent and disturbing trend remains: men are less likely to seek medical help when compared to women. This reluctance contributes to poorer health outcomes for men, who statistically have shorter life expectancies and higher rates of serious health conditions. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for developing strategies to encourage men to engage more proactively with healthcare services.

Societal and Cultural Factors

  1. Traditional Masculinity Norms: Society often dictate that men should be stoic, self-reliant, and resilient. These traditional masculinity norms discourage men from admitting to health issues, which can be perceived as a sign of weakness. A study published in the American Journal of Men's Health found that men who strongly adhere to these norms are less likely to seek medical help, even when they experience severe symptoms .
  2. Stigma and Shame: The stigma associated with seeking medical help, particularly for mental health issues, is another significant barrier. Men may feel ashamed to admit they are struggling, fearing judgment from peers and society. According to the American Psychological Association, this stigma is a major reason men avoid seeking mental health care, leading to higher rates of untreated mental health disorders and associated complications .

Psychological Factors

  1. Fear and Denial: Fear of diagnosis or bad news can deter men from visiting healthcare providers. Many men prefer to remain in denial about potential health problems rather than facing the anxiety associated with medical examinations and potential diagnoses. Research indicates that fear of discovering a serious illness is a common reason men avoid seeking help, perpetuating a cycle of neglect .
  2. Perceived Invincibility: Younger men, in particular, often believe they are invincible and less susceptible to health problems. This perceived invincibility leads to underestimating symptoms and delaying medical consultations. The National Institutes of Health highlight that this attitude contributes to men engaging less frequently in preventive healthcare practices .

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