October is Black History Month in Britain
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is committed to increasing awareness of breast cancer issues, including early detection and encouraging women to take charge of their own breast health by practicing regular breast self-exams, scheduling annual mammograms, adhering to prescribed treatment, and knowing the facts about recurrence. For more information, contact:
nbcamquestions@yahoo.com | www.nbcam.org
National Chiropractic Health Month Each October during National Chiropractic Health Month, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), along with doctors of chiropractic nationwide, will educate consumers about chiropractic and its relationship to the preservation of good health. Planned activities willhighlight doctors of chiropractic as effective healthcare providers who are important members of a patient’s healthcare team. For more information, contact:
Communications Department | ACA | phone: 703.276.8800 | communications@acatoday.org | www.acatoday.org
National Dental Hygiene Month National Dental Hygiene Month focuses on increasing public awareness of the oral health / total health connection and recognizes the unique position dental hygienists play in providing quality preventive care for their patients. For more information, contact:
Communications Division | American Dental Hygienists’ Association | phone:312.440.8900 | media@adha.net | www.adha.org
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state, and national levels. For more information, contact: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence | phone: 303 839.1852 | mainoffice@ncadv.org | www.ncadv.org
National Eye Injury Prevention Month Annually, 2.5 million Americans suffer eye injuries, and more than 52 percent of all injuries take place at home. Accidental eye injury is the leading cause of visual impairment, and 90 percent of these injuries could be prevented if individuals wore protective eyewear with “ANSI Z87.1” marked on the frame or lens. For more information, contact:
Communications Division | American Academy of Ophthalmology | phone: 415.447.0258 | eyemd@aao.org | www.geteyesmart.org
National Health Literacy Month Be a health literacy hero. Join with advocates around the world—raising awareness about what health literacy is, why it matters, and ways we all can help. For more information, contact:
Health Literacy Consulting | phone: 508.653.1199 | helen@healthliteracy.com | www.healthliteracy.com
National Home Eye Safety Month Approximately half of all eye injuries occur in or around the home. Information will be provided on how to keep the eyes safe while at home. For more information, contact:
Prevent Blindness America | phone: 800.331.2020 | info@preventblindness.org | www.preventblindness.org
National SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month During this month, take time to acknowledge the families that have been affected by SIDS, stillbirth, and sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). First Candle focuses on continuing our mission to provide education, research, advocacy, and training to ensure every baby survives and thrives to his / her first birthday and beyond. For more information, contact: First Candle | 800.221.7437 | info@firstcandle.org | www.firstcandle.org
National Talk About Prescriptions Month Since 1986, Talk About Prescriptions Month has provided an opportunity for consumers, patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and the media to promote the value of high-quality communication to promote safe and appropriate medicine use. The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) provides educational messages and materials to stimulate this patient-centered dialogue in October and beyond. For more information, contact: NCPIE | phone: 301.340.3940 | ncpie@ncpie.info | www.talkaboutrx.org
National Disability Employment Awareness Month In 1945, Congress designated the first week in October each year as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In 1962, the word “physically” was removed from the week’s name to acknowledge the employment needs of all Americans with disabilities. Congress expanded the week to a month in 1988 and changed its name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The US Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) assumed responsibility for NDEAM in 2001. October has evolved as the kick-off month for year-round programs nationwide that highlight the value that people with disabilities bring to the workplace. For more information, contact: Department of Labor | ODEP | www.dol.gov/odep
October 6-12 Fire Prevention Week
Each October since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored a fire prevention campaign to raise awareness about the importance of fire safety and fire safety education. It is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For more information, contact:
Public Education | NFPA | phone: 617.770.3000 | alebeau@nfpa.org | www.firepreventionweek.org
October 6-12 National Healthcare Resource and Materials Management Week
National Healthcare Resource and Materials Management Week is an opportunity to recognize and honor resource and materials management departments and professionals for their exceptional contributions to the success of healthcare organizations. For more information, contact:
Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management | phone: 312.422.3840 | ahrmm@aha.org | www.ahrmm.org
October 6-12 Healthcare Security and Safety Week During Healthcare Security and Safety Week and Officer’s Day, the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) salutes the men and women in security departments who provide safety and security for everyone in the facility. Security represents the first and last contact most patients and their families have with the facility—one that often sets the tone for other interactions. Officer’s Day is celebrated on Wednesday of Healthcare Security and Safety Week (October 9). For more information, contact:
IAHSS |phone: 630.529.3913 | evelyn@iahss.org | www.iahss.org
October 6-12 Mental Illness Awareness Week Held each year during the first full week of October, Mental Illness Awareness Week consists of grassroots observances to promote broader public awareness and understanding of serious mental illness, eliminate stigma, and build support for treatment and recovery. Local events are diverse, including, for example, NAMIWalks, candlelight vigils or film series. It is a good time for media to run stories about depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other conditions as well as the experiences of individuals and families. For more information, contact:
Bob Carolla | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) | phone: 703. 524.7600 | bobc@nami.org | www.nami.org
October 6-12 National Midwifery Week During this week, midwives, nurses, physicians, and the families they care for will celebrate the contributions that certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives make to the health and wellbeing of women and their families. Midwives will also hold community events to educate the public about midwifery and to thank their communities for their support. For more information, contact: Communications Department | American College of Nurse-Midwives | phone: 240.485.1826 | pr@acnm.org | www.midwife.org
October 9 Stop America’s Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Today
Although the SAVE campaign is a year-round effort, the American Medical Association (AMA) Alliance celebrates SAVE Today on the second Wednesday of October. SAVE Today serves as a day when physicians’ spouses across the country work together to reduce violence. Many state and county alliances use SAVE Today to kick off new elements of their SAVE projects, such as working with a new school or a new age group. For more information, contact: Executive Staff Associate | AMA Alliance | phone: 312.464.4477 | www.amaalliance.org
October 11 Depression Screening Day National Depression Screening Day is the nation’s oldest, voluntary, community-based screening program for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders. The event gives people access to a validated screening questionnaire and provides referral information for treatment. For more information, contact:
Screening for Mental Health, Inc. | phone: 781.239.0071 | adevereaux@mentalhealthscreening.org | www.mentalhealthscreening.org
October 12 World Arthritis Day World Arthritis Day, established in 1996, is observed each year on October 12. Coordinated in the US by the Arthritis Foundation, the event joins together people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases from around the world to raise awareness and reduce the impact of arthritis. For more information, contact:
Public Relations | Arthritis Foundation | phone: 404.965.7595 | help@arthritis.org | www.arthritis.org
October 12-20 Bone and Joint Health Awareness Week
Bone and joint conditions are reported by US citizens more frequently than any other health condition. It is estimated that these conditions occur in nearly one in two people over the age of 18. The Bone and Joint Initiative’s National Awareness Week offers an opportunity for organizations and individuals concerned with bone and joint health to raise awareness and encourage people with prevention information and activities. For more information, contact: United States Bone and Joint Initiative | phone: 847.430.5052 | usbji@usbji.org | www.usbji.org
October 18 National Mammography Day Celebrated on the third Friday in October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Mammography Day encourages women across America to receive or sign up for a mammogram screening. For more information, contact:
AstraZeneca | info@astrazeneca.com | www.astrazeneca-us.com
October 20-26 International Infection Prevention Week International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), held the third week in October, aims to raise awareness of the key role infection prevention plays in the healthcare setting in improving patient safety. IIPW shines the spotlight on educating healthcare workers, healthcare administrators, legislators, and consumers about the importance of reducing the risk of infections. For more information, contact:
APIC / Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology | phone: 202.789.1890 | iipw@apic.org | www.apic.org/iipw
October 20-26 National Respiratory Care Week During National Respiratory Care Week, respiratory therapists celebrate their fast-growing profession while raising awareness of lung health. Local events include lung health education programs aimed at encouraging early detection of lung disease, particularly asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For more information, contact:
American Association for Respiratory Care | phone: 972.243.2272 | info@aarc.org | www.aarc.org
October 21-25 National School Bus Safety Week National School Bus Safety Week (NSBSW) is an active, evolving, and successful public education program designed to promote and encourage school bus safety. Each year NSBSW is celebrated the third week in October. Thousands of school districts in more than 400 states participate in the poster contest and even more support the general principles of improved bus safety. For more information, contact:
Lynn Martin | National Association for Pupil Transportation | phone: 800.989.6278 | lynn.martin@napt.org | www.napt.org
October 22 International Stuttering Awareness Day International Stuttering Awareness Day is a special time to educate both the public and professionals about stuttering and the many effective options available for those who stutter around the world. For more information, contact:
Joan Warner | The Stuttering Foundation | phone: 800.992.9392 | info@stutteringhelp.org | www.stutteringhelp.org
October 23 National Lung Health Day Lung Health Day is celebrated on Wednesday of Respiratory Care Week to promote the importance of lung health and build awareness about diseases and conditions that adversely affect healthy lungs. Respiratory care professionals plan special events that reach out to neighbors, family, friends, businesses, and community leaders to teach them what it takes to maintain strong lung health. For more information, contact:
American Association for Respiratory Care | phone: 972.243.2272 | info@aarc.org | www.aarc.org
October 23-31 National Red Ribbon Week National Red Ribbon Week, celebrated by an estimated 80 million people in the US, is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation. Sponsored by the National Family Partnership, Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 when people began wearing red ribbons symbolizing a drug free lifestyle after the tragic and brutal death of DEA agent Kiki Camarena in Mexico. Red Ribbon Week is celebrated every October 23-31 in homes, schools, and communities across the US and beyond. For more information, contact:
National Family Partnership | phone: 305.856.4886 | redribbon@nfp.org | www.redribbon.org
October 28 National Lock Your Meds Day Lock Your Meds Day is a day for parents to pledge to talk to their kids about the dangers of taking medications without a prescription. Parents should secure their medicines to prevent their kids from accessing them, regularly taking stock of their medicine cabinets. For more information, contact:
National Family Partnership | phone: 800.705.8997 | tbyng@nfp.org | www.nfp.org
October 29 World Psoriasis Day Each year on October 29, we celebrate World Psoriasis Day, a global day of recognition for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. World Psoriasis Day is a global event that sets out to raise awareness and give voice to the 125 million people worldwide with psoriasis. Awareness activities occur all over the world to help increase understanding, improve access to treatments, and build unity among the psoriasis community. For more information, contact:
National Psoriasis Foundation | phone: 800.723.9166 | getinfo@psoriasis.org | www.psoriasis.org
Super foods are foods that contain high levels of nutrients. Okra is a super food. Not only that, it’s a food that links many African cultures. From Okra Soup cooked with palm oil in western Africa to Gumbo in southern United States, Okra is considered a valuable source of nutrition as well as a comfort food. Okra is a superfood because it contains high levels of B Vitamins, fiber, iron, and Vitamin C.Studies published in 2010 and 2011 in the “Nutrition Journal” and the “African Journal of Biotechnology” indicate that okra has a higher concentration of antioxidant compounds than other high-antioxidant vegetables, as well as many high-antioxidant fruits. Antioxidants are able to inhibit the ability of free radicals to damage DNA and cellular tissue. The Mayo Clinic’s Donald Hensrud, M.D., says that a diet incorporating lots of antioxidants may help prevent heart disease, cancer and neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
There are one billion physically challenged people worldwide. The physically challenged are the world’s largest minority. They have been physically challenged by birth injuries, forced amputations during wars, accidents, or as results of disease. In developed countries, there are anti-discrimination laws that protect the rights of the physically challenged who are blind, deaf, amputees, mentally or physically compromised.