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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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Black Maternal Health Week: Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal Care
Photo by Shelly Shell on Unsplash

Black Maternal Health Week: Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal Care

Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), observed annually from April 11-17, is a national campaign founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance in 2018. It raises awareness about the disproportionate maternal health challenges faced by Black women in the United States and advocates for systemic change in maternal healthcare (Black Mamas Matter Alliance, 2018). Addressing Black maternal health is crucial for achieving health equity, improving overall public health outcomes, and ensuring that all women have access to safe, respectful, and high-quality maternal care. It requires a multifaceted approach involving policy changes, healthcare system reforms, and efforts to combat racism and discrimination in medical settings.

The Urgency of Black Maternal Health

The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, and Black women are disproportionately affected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women (CDC, 2022). Structural racism, implicit bias in healthcare, and limited access to quality medical services contribute to these disparities.

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World Autism Day- Light it Up Blue

Every year on April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is observed to raise awareness and foster acceptance for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Established by the United Nations in 2007, this day highlights the importance of early diagnosis, inclusive education, and policies that promote the well-being of autistic individuals worldwide (United Nations, 2007). Autism touches the lives of everyone in ways that are both profound and personal. Whether you’re a parent, sibling, teacher, friend, or simply part of a community, autism has a ripple effect that goes far beyond the individual diagnosed with it. It is not just about the challenges—it’s about the beauty of seeing the world through a different lens and learning to embrace diversity in its truest form.

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, behavior, and sensory processing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with ASD (CDC, 2023). The spectrum nature of autism means that its manifestations vary widely, making tailored support and understanding essential for each individual.

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The Truth About Measles

Morbillivirus measles infection.jpg - Wikipedia

The Truth About Measles

Measles might sound like a disease of the past, but it’s making a comeback in certain areas. Recently, a contagious person, who was not vaccinated, went to an NHL game, exposing everyone attending at the Bell Center in Montreal. There is a cluster of people with the measles in Texas. 2025 already has more cases of the measles than all of 2024. With more cases appearing worldwide, it’s important to understand what causes measles, its symptoms, and why getting vaccinated is the best way to stay protected.

What Causes Measles?

Measles is caused by the measles virus (MeV), a highly contagious airborne virus. It spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks, releasing virus particles into the air【1】. What makes measles especially dangerous is its ability to linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours【2】. That means you can catch it just by being in the same room as an infected person—even if they’ve already left.

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Is Your High-Protein Diet Messing with Your Gut? Here’s What You Need to Know
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Is Your High-Protein Diet Messing with Your Gut? Here’s What You Need to Know

High-protein diets are all the rage these days, with people swearing by them for weight loss, muscle building, and overall health. But did you know that eating too much protein might actually shake things up in your gut? Scientists are finding that excessive protein intake can alter your gut microbiome, which could have some surprising effects on digestion and well-being. Let’s dive into how this happens and what you can do to keep your gut happy.

What Happens to Your Gut Bacteria When You Eat More Protein?

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that help digest food, support immunity, and even affect your mood. When you load up on protein, your gut bacteria shift to accommodate the change. This often means more protein-fermenting bacteria and fewer fiber-loving microbes (Beaumont et al., 2017). While this might sound fine, it can lead to the production of potentially harmful byproducts like ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) (Davila et al., 2013).

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Key December Health Awareness Days
Photo by John Price on Unsplash

Key December Health Awareness Days

As December begins, the holiday season brings festive preparations, family gatherings, and the joy of togetherness. Alongside the celebrations, December also highlights several important health awareness campaigns. From promoting proper handwashing and flu prevention to observing World AIDS Day and National Impaired Driving Awareness Month, this month focuses on both seasonal health concerns and broader wellness topics.


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