National Arthritis Awareness and Arthritis Walk Month    National Arthritis Awareness Month was initiated by the Arthritis Foundation through a Presidential Proclamation in 1972. It aims to raise awareness and reduce the impact of arthritis, which strikes one in every five adults and 300,000 children. It is the leading cause of disability in the US. To conquer this painful, debilitating disease, the Arthritis Foundation supports education, research, advocacy, and other vital programs and services. For more information, contact:

Public Relations | Arthritis Foundation | phone: 404.965.7595 | help@arthritis.org | www.arthritis.org

National Arthritis Walk  The Arthritis Walk is the Arthritis Foundation’s signature event. It supports public awareness and raises funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. The Arthritis Walk is an annual event that generally takes place during the month of May in conjunction with National Arthritis Awareness Month. The Arthritis Foundation additionally launched Let’s Move Together, a nationwide movement that encourages people to move every day to prevent and treat arthritis. For more information, contact:

Public Relations | Arthritis Foundation | phone: 404.965.7595 | help@arthritis.org | www.arthritis.org

National Better Sleep Month   Each May, Better Sleep Month is dedicated to educating consumers about the importance of sleep to health and quality of life. For more information, contact:

Better Sleep Council | phone: 703.683.8371 | kmahoney@sleepproducts.org | www.bettersleep.org

National Better Hearing and Speech Month   May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, dedicated to two essential communication tools that can be affected by medical conditions. For more information, contact:

Communications Business Unit | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery | phone: 703.535.3762 | newsroom@entnet.org | www.entnet.org

National Global Employee Health and Fitness Month   National Global Employee Health and Fitness Month is dedicated to encouraging employers from all sectors—public, private, and nonprofit—to promote fitness and encourage employees and their families to be physically active on a regular basis. For more information, contact:

National Association for Health and Fitness | phone: 716.583.0521 | wellness@city- buffalo.org | www.physicalfitness.org

National Healthy Vision Month   More than 20 million Americans suffer from severe vision loss. While not all eye diseases can be prevented, there are simple steps everyone can take to help their eyes remain healthy now and reduce their chances of vision loss in the future. Eye conditions, diseases, and injury can destroy your family’s healthy vision. Preventive eye care is important for everyone. For more information, contact:

Communications Division | American Academy of Ophthalmology | phone: 415.447.0258 | eyemd@aao.org | www.geteyesmart.org

National Hepatitis Awareness Month   During Hepatitis Awareness Month, the Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) provides information and materials and conducts “train the trainer” sessions for teachers, school and occupational nurses, other healthcare providers, and the public. The HFI promotes the prevention of hepatitis and substance abuse and encourages individuals to avoid liver-damaging activities and make healthful lifestyle behavior choices, including being vaccinated for hepatitis A and B. For more information, contact:

Education Department | HFI | phone: 800.891.0707 | info@hepatitisfoundation.org | www.hepatitisfoundation.org

National High Blood Pressure Education Month    High blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems. The focus of this observance is to increase awareness about the prevention and treatment of this life-threatening condition. For more information, contact:

Health Information Center | National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute | 301.592.8573 | nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov | www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/index.htm#hbp

National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month  The Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) celebrates May as Huntington’s Disease (HD) Awareness Month to raise greater awareness of HD and the valuable work HD scientists and clinicians do to fight all diseases, not just neurodegenerative and genetic afflictions. For more information, contact:

HDSA | phone: 212.242.1968 or 800.345.HDSA (800.345.4372) | ftaubman@hdsa.org | www.hdsa.org

Liver Awareness Month   Liver Awareness Month focuses attention on the need to maintain a healthy liver through a healthy lifestyle, the types and seriousness of liver disease and the urgency to be tested for liverdisease if anyone has risk factors. For more information, contact:

Communications Department | American Liver Foundation | phone: 212.668.1000 | drohde@liverfoundation.org | www.liverfoundation.org

National Lupus Awareness Month   Lupus Awareness Month serves as a nationwide call to action for the public to learn the early warning signs and consequences of this unpredictable and potentially fatal autoimmune disease. The goal is to increase awareness of lupus, especially among populations at highest risk of developing the disease—young women of childbearing age, African-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. World Lupus Day (May 10, 2013) provides a forum for the more than 100 international lupus organizations to call attention to the need for safer and more effective treatments for lupus. For more information, contact:

Lupus Foundation of America | phone: 202.349.1155 | info@lupus.org | www.lupus.org

National Melanoma / Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month   The American Academy of Dermatology established Melanoma / Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month to raise awareness about skin cancer and to encourage Americans to practice sun-safe behaviors. For more information, contact:

American Academy of Dermatology | www.spotskincancer.org

National Mental Health Month   The goal of Mental Health Month is to educate the public about mental health conditions and the importance of mental health to overall health and wellness. For more information, contact:

Mental Health America | phone: 703.797.2588 | svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net | www.mentalhealthamerica.net

National Osteoporosis Month    Each May, the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) celebrates National Osteoporosis Month. NOF has developed, through its National Bone Health Alliance (NBHA) public-private partnership, a campaign centered on secondary fracture prevention entitled 2Million2Many. This campaign aims for the public and healthcare professionals to take action and request a bone density test for anyone age 50 or older who suffer a bone break. The campaign features a traveling cast installation that represents the 5,500 bone breaks that occur every day. The 2Million2Many campaign and National Osteoporosis Month are opportunities to raise awareness of osteoporosis and bone health on grassroots and national levels. For more information, contact:

NOF | phone: 800.231.4222 | communications@nof.org | www.nof.org, www.nbha.org, or www.2million2many.org

National Stroke Awareness Month   In 1987, the National Stroke Association initiated and received a Presidential Proclamation to annually celebrate National Stroke Awareness Month in May. The goal of the annual campaign is to raise public awareness about the full continuum of stroke by managing stroke risk factors, better understanding stroke symptom recognition and response, and improving the quality of life during stroke recovery for millions of stroke survivors in the US. For more information, contact:

National Stroke Association | phone: 303.754.0919 | tfort@stroke.org | www.stroke.org

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the US and a major cause of serious, long-term disability. Stroke doesn’t discriminate—it affects people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds—however, African-Americans are at increased risk. American Stroke Month aims to heighten the public’s awareness of stroke warning signs and risk factors. For more information, contact:

Communications Department | American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association | phone: 888.4.STROKE (888.478.7653) | www.strokeassociation.org

National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month   Observed each May by states and communities throughout the country, National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month seeks to involve communities in promoting and supporting effective teen pregnancy prevention initiatives. For more information, contact:

Advocates for Youth | phone: 202.419.3420 | ebony@advocatesforyouth.org | www.advocatesforyouth.org

May 5-11    Children’s Mental Heath Week

The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health sponsors and observes the first full week in May as Children’s Mental Health Week For more information, contact: National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health | phone: 240.403.1901 | ffcmh@ffcmh.org | www.ffcmh.org

May 12   International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Awareness Day
International CFS/CFIDS/ME Awareness Day is designed to increase understanding about chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment will be widely disseminated to the media, the public, healthcare professionals, and government officials. Fewer than 20 percent of Americans with this illness have been diagnosed, so efforts in 2013 will focus on spreading the word about the impact, severity, and prevalence. For more information, contact:

Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders | phone: 954.783.6771 | www.pandoranet.info

May 12  National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is observed each May 12 with activities taking place worldwide in an effort to increase awareness of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia Awareness Day seeks to help patients and organizations educate the general public, healthcare professionals, government officials, and legislative bodies. The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association’s (NFMCPA) annual Walk to CURE FM (Campaign for Understanding, Research and Education of Fibromyalgia) to commemorate Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is the rally cry for fibromyalgia patients and supporters to make their collective voice heard. For more information, contact:

NFMCPA | info@fmcpaware.org | www.fmcpaware.org

May 12-18  National Alcohol and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Week
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are the leading cause of preventable mental retardation and the most serious form of drug-related birth defects. National Alcohol and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Week highlights the harmful effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on a fetus and the full range of FASD. For more information, contact:

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. | phone: 212.269.7797 | rlindsey@ncadd.org | www.ncadd.org

May 12-18  National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week
To raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depressive illnesses and to assist individuals in finding help, Freedom From Fear partners with organizations around the nation to hold events during National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week. “Anxiety and depressive illnesses are serious public health concerns. They not only greatly impair the individuals who suffer with them, they impact the lives of their family and friends,” says Mary Guardino, executive director of Freedom From Fear. For more information, contact:

Freedom From Fear | phone: 718.351.1717, ext. 19 | help@freedomfromfear.org | www.freedomfromfear.org

May 12-18  National Food Allergy Awareness Week
In 1997, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) created Food Allergy Awareness Week to educate others about food allergies, potentially life-threatening medical conditions affecting 15 million Americans. For more information, contact: FAAN | 800.929.4040, ext. 111 | faaw@foodallergy.org | www.foodallergy.org

National Alcohol Awareness Month  Since 1987, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence’s (NCADD) Alcohol Awareness Month (AAM) has encouraged communities to focus awareness on alcoholism and alcohol-related issues. AAM began as a way of reaching Americans with information about the disease of alcoholism: It is a treatable, chronic disease, not a moral weakness, and those who suffer from alcoholism can and do recover. An integral part of AAM is Alcohol Free Weekend, the first weekend of April, which was designed to raise awareness about the use of alcohol and how it may be affecting society and the individual drinker. For more information, contact:

NCADD, Inc. | phone: 212.269.7797, ext. 19 | rlindsey@ncadd.org | www.ncadd.org

National Autism Awareness Month   To highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the Autism Society has celebrated National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The nation recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. For more information, contact:

Autism Society | phone: 301.657.0881 | info@autism- society.org | www.autism-society.org

Child Abuse Prevention Month   Child Abuse Prevention Month seeks to raise awareness about healthy child development and motivate the public to play a greater role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect, while encouraging local prevention activities and events throughout the country. For more information, contact:

Child Welfare Information Gateway or Prevent Child Abuse America www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth or www.preventchildabuse.org/publications/cap/index.shtml

National Facial Protection Month  The simple act of wearing a mouth guard when playing baseball or other contact sports saves tens of thousands of teeth annually. Other safety equipment such as helmets and face shields can protect wearers from facial injuries. Each April, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Association of Orthodontists, and the Academy for Sports Dentistry team up to enhance public awareness of facial protection and specialized treatment for facial injuries. For more information, contact:

Communications and Publications Division | AAOMS | phone: 847.678.6200 | jdunham@aaoms.org | www.aaoms.org

Foot Health Awareness Month  The aim of Foot Health Awareness Month is to encourage everyone to be mindful that foot health has an overall impact on total body health and that a podiatrist is key to ensuring optimal foot health. For more information, contact:

American Podiatric Medical Association | ahberard@apma.org | www.apma.org

National Humor Month   Humor is an important part of maintaining health! We honor those who make us laugh, professionals and amateurs alike, as well as friends, neighbors, teachers, and relatives, including your Uncle Fred and Aunt Tillie. This is the place where you can come to share ideas about how to celebrate humor, information about the ancient roots of humor and the myriad contemporary expressions of humor. We look forward to encouraging humor in everyone’s life around the world and all year long.

For more information, contact: National Humor Month | phone: 800.NOW.LAFF (669.5233) | info@humormonth.com | www.humormonth.com

National Minority Health Awareness Month   National Minority Health Month (NMHM) is held annually to raise awareness of minority health disparities and to prompt the implementation of initiatives to address these disparities during the rest of the year. NMHM is an inclusive initiative that addresses the health needs of African- Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians. For more information, contact:

Resource Center | Office of Minority Health | phone: 800.444.6472 | info@minorityhealth.hhs.gov | http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov

National Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Month   Each April during Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Month, the American Social Health Association (ASHA) loudly trumpets the fact that 19 million new cases of STIs occur in the US each year—about half of them among youth ages 15-24 years. STIs are also increasing among Senior citizens The need to improve oursexual well-being cannot be underestimated, as more than half of all people in the US will have an STI at some point in their lifetime. For more information, contact:

ASHA | frewya@ashastd.org | www.ashastd.org

National March for Babies Month  The March of Dimes is committed to reducing the toll of premature birth by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families who are affected by it. The funds raised by March for Babies events help women to have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies, reducing health costs to employers. For more information, contact:

Education Health Promotion Department | March of Dimes |phone: 914.428.7100 | alliances@marchofdimes.com | www.marchforbabies.org

April 17 is World Hemophilia Day   Every year on April 17, World Hemophilia Day is celebrated to increase awareness of hemophilia, a genetic bleeding disorder that prevents the blood from clotting normally, and other inherited bleeding disorders. The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) encourages individuals and groups around the world to participate in educational and awareness-raising activities on this day. For more information, contact:

Communications Manager | WFH | sford@wfh.org | www.wfh.org/whd

April 20 is National Walk for Epilepsy Day  The annual National Walk for Epilepsy is a noncompetitive walk to draw awareness to a condition that affects nearly three million Americans. The event raises funds to help overcome the challenges created by epilepsy and find cures. The Epilepsy Foundation continues to lead the fight to stop seizures. For more information, contact:

Special Events | Epilepsy Foundation | phone: 866.433.9255 | walkinfo@efa.org | www.walkforepilepsy.org

 April 27 is YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day   YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is a national initiative of the Y to improve the health and well-being of kids across the country. On this day, Y’s hold free community events with fun and engaging activities to help families develop healthier habits. Activities vary but may include arts and crafts, relay races, healthy food demonstrations, educational opportunities, and more. For more information, contact: YMCA of the USA | media@ymca.net | http://ymca.net/healthy-kids- day/

National Brain Injury Awareness Month Brain Injury Awareness Month is an annual observance of the causes and consequences of brain injury and the need for greater prevention, research, education, and advocacy on behalf of individuals who sustain a life-changing—sometimes devastating—brain injury and their family caregivers. For more information, contact:

Brain Injury Association of America | phone: 703.761.0750| www.biausa.org

National Child Life Month During Child Life Month, child life programs around the world will join the Child Life Council in educating healthcare colleagues and the public about the psychosocial needs of children in pediatric settings. Research has demonstrated that child life interventions reduce the anxiety that children and families experience in a medical setting. Child Life Month is designed to honor child life specialists as they work to ensure quality family-centered and developmentally appropriate care for children. For more information, contact:

Child Life Council | phone: 301.881.7090, ext. 16 | communications@childlife.org | www.childlife.org

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month  During this month, cancer groups, hospitals, and communities focus attention on preventing, treating, and curing colorectal cancer. Education is provided to the public, and colorectal screenings are encouraged. For more information, contact:

Prevent Cancer Foundation | phone: 703.837.3682 | sarah.abou@preventcancer.org | www.preventcancer.org

National Eye Donor Month  Each year, the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) promotes March as National Eye Donor Month to raise awareness of the need to donate eyes. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Eye Donor Month in 1983, and since then, a member of Congress has read a proclamation into the Congressional Record each March to note this special occasion. For more information, contact:

Information Specialist | EBAA | phone: 202.775.4999, ext. 118 | trish@restoresight.org | www.restoresight.org

National Kidney Health Awareness Month  During National Kidney Month, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) urges Americans to get to know two humble, hardworking organs: the kidneys. To help raise awareness of and appreciation for all the vital functions the kidneys perform, the NKF is encouraging Americansto learn more and take steps now to preserve kidney health. For more information or a free screening through the Foundation’s Kidney Early Evaluation Program, contact:

NKF | phone: 212.889.2210 | ellies@kidney.org | www.kidney.org

National Nutrition Awareness Month  National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign held annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. For more information, contact:

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | nnm@eatright.org | www.eatright.org

National Save Your Vision Month  National Save Your Vision Month was started by members of the American Optometric Association in 1927 to remind the public about the importance of vision and professional eye care for all ages. For more information, contact:

Public Relations | American Optometric Association | phone: 800.365.2219 | mcbryson@aoa.org | www.aoa.org

March 1-7 Aplastic Anemia Awareness Week  Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week was created to raise awareness about acquired bone marrow failure diseases that are diagnosed in more than 15,000 people each year in the United States alone, with tens of thousands people more living with these life threatening diseases around the world. Bone marrow failure disease can strike any person, of any age, any gender, or any race, anywhere in the world. For more information, contact:

Patient Education and Information | Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation | phone: 301.279.7202 | info@aamds.org | www.aamds.org

March 26 is American Diabetes Association Alert Day  American Diabetes Association Alert Day, which is held every fourth Tuesday in March, is a one-day wake-up call asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. For more information, contact: American Diabetes Association | phone: 800.342.2383 | www.stopdiabetes.com

International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month: www.groupbstrepinternational.org

February is Black History Month in the U.S.A. and Canada

February 7-14 is African Heritage and Health Week

February 13-19 is Children of Alcoholics Week: www.nacoa.org

National Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Low Vision Awareness Month Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss, affecting more than two million Americans age 50 and older. Low vision aids can make the most of remaining vision. Information on eye disease warning signs and treatment will be available. For more information, contact:

Prevent Blindness America | phone: 800.331.2020 | info@preventblindness.org | www.preventblindness.org

National Children’s Dental Health Awareness Month Raise awareness about the importance of children’s oral health. For more information, contact:

ADA | phone: 800.621.8099 | ncdhm@ada.org | www.ada.org/ncdhm

National Condom Use Awareness Month The American Social Health Association (ASHA) wants you to be safe. Each year in the US, there are approximately 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). High risk groups for STIs are teenagers and senior citizens. Condoms are inexpensive and reduce the risks for STIs. For more information, contact:

ASHA  frewya@ashastd.org | www.ashastd.org

National Heart Health Awareness Month Wear red on February 1. contact:

American Heart Association |phone: 888.MY.HEART (888.694.3278) | www.goredcorazon.org

National Kids Ear Nose and Throat Health (ENT) Awareness Month Kids ENT Health Month is designed to offer parents and caregivers the latest information about the care, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric ear, nose, and throat disorders. For more information, contact:

Communications Business Unit | Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery | phone: 703.535.3762 | newsroom@entnet.org | www.entnet.org

National Health Care Consumer Awareness Month The goal of National Wise Health Care Consumer Month is to help consumers receive the right care at the right time in the right place. It involves teaching consumers how to become more active in their own healthcare. This entails knowing which symptoms require professional assistance and which can be treated at home with self-care. The event also focuses on helping consumers understand how to interact most effectively with the healthcare system to receive proper care. For more information, contact:

American Institute for Preventive Medicine | phone: 248.539.1800, ext. 238 | hlawless@healthylife.com | www.healthylife.com

February 24-March 2 is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
The aim of National Eating Disorders Awareness (NED Awareness) Week is to ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment. For more information, contact:

National Eating Disorders Association | phone: 206.382.3587, ext. 19 | www.nationaleatingdisorders.org