September health and wellness observances
It's back to school month, and with it an uptick in the number of planned health observances. The following links represent a selection of the most prominent observances in September and are offered to aid you in your health and wellness communication efforts.
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month - aims to promote the benefits of alcohol and drug abuse treatment, highlight the contributions of treatment providers, and promote the message that recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders in all its forms is possible. The site is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT).
National Cholesterol Education Month - the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has adopted a 2007 theme of "Know your cholesterol numbers—Know your risk—Give yourself some TLC." They sponsor an online Know Your Numbers, Know Your Risk online education kit with great information, including 10 ways to promote the month.
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month - reproductive cancer is often called the silent killer. This year, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation announced the first national consensus on ovarian cancer symptoms, important information that should be made available to all women. At the Woman's Cancer network, access printable brochures on the symptoms and risks of reproductive cancers.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month - these are blood-related cancers that originate in the bone marrow (leukemia) or lymphatic system (lymphoma). The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society estimates 30,600 new cases of leukemia and 61,000 new cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed this year. The linked site is sponsored by the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, and offers a variety of links to fact sheets and brochures. Additional information is available from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month - While Sickle Cell is concentrated in black populations, it is not exclusively so, a fact that is little known. It is one of the most common inherited blood conditions and is characterized by anemia with a low red blood cell count and takes its name from the presence of sickle-shaped red cells in the blood. The Sickle Cell Center from Medicine.net offers information on causes, diagnoses, symptoms and treatment of the illness.
September 10 - World Suicide Prevention Day - sponsored by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World health Organization this year's theme is "Suicide Prevention Across the Lifespan" to emphasize that suicide occurs in all age groups and prevention efforts must be targeted to all groups. Plus, attempted suicide is conservatively estimated to be 10 to 20 times more frequent than actual suicide, especially in younger women. The economic costs of suicide and suicide attempts to society are substantial, estimated to be in the billions of dollars, and reflect the economic potential of years of life lost, the medical and treatment costs of suicide attempts, and the burden of care and suffering of families and friends of those who die by suicide and those who engage in various forms of suicidal behavior. The linked site offers informational brochures in English, French and Chinese.