Who decides which disease or cause can lay claim to a month as an awareness month? I’m just curious, because we’re about to enter April, which for some reason is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month.
It’s not that I don’t believe that PD deserves an awareness month. My issue is that I feel like a hypocrite. I am so aware of Parkinson’s Disease, that I have been completely unaware of awareness months for any other diseases or causes in the past year.
Therefore, I think there is no better way for those of us with PD to start Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month than to raise our awareness of other diseases and health concerns. Take this opportunity to learn about challenges that others are facing; learn about prevention and health screening for other health ailments; and consider also supporting organizations that devote themselves to worthwhile causes.
January:
January was Thyroid Awareness Month. Did you know that a thyroid medication is among the most prescribed drugs in the U.S.? Levothyroxine, a common thyroid prescription, is currently the second most filled drug at American pharmacies, according to data from GoodRx. Elizabeth Pearce, president of the American Thyroid Association and a professor at Boston University’s School of Medicine, says “About 54,000 adults [were] diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the U.S. in 2018, which means about 1 percent of individuals in the U.S. will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in their lifetimes, based on current numbers.” Learn more at https://www.thyroid.org
Also in January, there was also National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Currently, more than 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma. Glaucoma is called “the sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it’s permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing. There is no cure for glaucoma, however early detection can help, as medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. Learn more at https://www.glaucoma.org
The Environmental Protection Agency also designated January as National Radon Action Month. In the U.S., exposure to radon gas causes more than 20,000 deaths annually and it is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. How was I not aware of how serious this issue is? Learn more at https://www.epa.gov/radon/national-radon-action-month-information
February:
In February, there was National Cancer Prevention Month. Research has shown that more than 40 percent of all cancers diagnosed and nearly half of all deaths from cancer in the United States can be attributed to preventable causes – things like smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and excessive exposure to the sun. As a result, steps like quitting smoking (or never starting in the first place), maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, protecting your skin from the sun, and getting vaccinated against the viruses that cause certain cancers can dramatically reduce your risk of certain cancers. Learn more at https://www.aacrfoundation.org/Pages/february-is-national-cancer-prevention-month.aspx
February was also American Heart Month. In the United States in 2018, cardiovascular disease is listed as the underlying cause of death in 840,678 deaths – about 1 out of every 3. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, and obesity are some of the leading factors that can contribute to our risk for heart disease. 80 percent of Americans fail to meet recommended amounts of exercise each week. Exercise guidelines recommend that adults get at least two and a half hours per week of moderate aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening activities over two or more days each week. As the risk for heart disease increases with age, it is vital to deter this deadly disease by taking steps to stay physically active throughout life, maintain a healthy body weight, and promote overall heart health, including by eating a well-balanced diet and abstaining from tobacco products. Learn more at https://www.heart.org
March included:
- Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
- National Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
- National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
- National Endometriosis Awareness Month
- National Kidney Month
- National Nutrition Month (does anyone else find it funny that their website uses cookies?)
- Brain Injury Awareness Month
- Trisomy Awareness Month
Parkinson’s Disease Awareness shares April with:
- Alcohol Awareness Month
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month
- National Autism Awareness Month
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month
- National Donate Life Month
- National Facial Protection Month
- National Minority Health Month
- National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
- Occupational Therapy Month
- Oral Cancer Awareness Month
- Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
- STD Awareness Month
April showers, bring May flowers and the busiest month of the year for awareness:
- American Stroke Awareness Month
- Arthritis Awareness Month
- Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
- Food Allergy Action Month
- Hepatitis Awareness Month
- Lupus Awareness Month
- Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
- Mental Health Month
- National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
- National Celiac Disease Awareness Month
- National High Blood Pressure Education Month
- National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
- National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
- National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
June:
- Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
- Fireworks Eye Safety & Cataract Awareness Month
- Hernia Awareness Month
- Men’s Health Month
- Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
- National Aphasia Awareness Month
- National Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month
- National Scleroderma Awareness Month
- Scoliosis Awareness Month
July:
- International Group B Strep Throat Awareness Month
- Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
- National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month
- UV Safety Month
August:
- Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
- Gastroparesis Awareness Month
- National Immunization Awareness Month
- Psoriasis Awareness Month
September:
- Blood Cancer Awareness Month
- Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
- National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
- National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
- National ITP Awareness Month
- National Pediculosis Prevention Month/Head Lice Prevention Month
- National Sickle Cell Month
- Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
- Pain Awareness Month
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Month
- Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
- Sepsis Awareness Month
- Sexual Health Awareness Month
- World Alzheimer’s Month
October:
- National ADHD Awareness Month
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
- National Physical Therapy Month
- Spina Bifida Awareness Month
November:
- American Diabetes Month
- Bladder Health Month
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month
- National Epilepsy Awareness Month
- National Family Caregivers Month
- National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
- Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
December:
I’m certain that I’ve left out more than one awareness month of significance, not to mention awareness weeks, days, hours, and even minutes.