Awareness Months 2023

If you have an event to share for any awareness months, please send an email to Stacy Rezendes at stacy.rezendes.ic@nationforum.org.

May is American Stroke Month

Strokes can happen to anyone, at any age. Having a stroke puts you at higher risk for a second one. This stroke month let’s come together to defeat stroke by acting F.A.S.T. Your health is in your hands. When you spot a stroke warning sign, act fast. Recognizing the stroke warning signs and calling 911 immediately may make the difference between a strong recovery or long-term disability; survival or death.

F.A.S.T. is how we come together to end stroke^®

Learn the stroke warning signs: F.A.S.T.

• Face Drooping
• Arm Weakness
• Speech Difficulty
• Time to call 911

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke.

It could happen on your street, in your workplace, at a store where you shop — anywhere. Your readiness to spot the stroke warning signs and call 911 could save a life or make the difference between a full recovery and long-term disability. That’s why it’s so important to learn the stroke warning signs and urge everyone you know to do the same.

The faster stroke is treated, the more likely the patient is to recover.

In fact, stroke patients who are treated with the clot-busting drug IV r-tPA Alteplase within 90 minutes of their first symptoms were almost three times more likely to recover with little or no disability.
In some cases, a procedure to remove the clot causing the stroke is also recommended. Nintey-one percent of stroke patients who were treated with a stent retriever within 150 minutes of first symptoms recovered with little or no disability.

The thing to remember is that stroke is largely treatable. It’s a matter of getting the right treatment, right away.

Resources:

• Know the Facts About Stroke [PDF – 162 KB]
  Help your audiences learn the risks, signs and symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of stroke.
• Women and Stroke
  Women have unique risk factors for stroke. Here is what they can do to reduce their risk.
• Men and Stroke
  Share what puts men at risk for stroke and what steps they can take to prevent stroke.
• Pregnancy and Stroke: Are You at Risk?
  This webpage discusses the connection between pregnancy and stroke and what you can do to keep yourself and your baby healthy.
• Stroke Survivor Stories
  Read these survivor stories to learn how you may be at risk for stroke and what to do if stroke happens.
• F.A.S.T. Info Sheet

Stroke Quiz

• Can You Spot the Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke?
  Share this quiz to test whether your audiences can recognize stroke signs and symptoms.

April is National Minority Health Month (NMHM)

Every April, the FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) observes National Minority Health Month (NMHM) to raise awareness of the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority populations and reducing health disparities. This year’s theme, “Better Health Through Better Understanding,” supports OMHHE’s mission to promote and protect the health of diverse populations through research and communication of science that addresses health disparities.

During National Minority Health Month 2023, OMHHE will promote its Enhance EQUITY Initiative which focuses on:

• EQUITY in clinical trials by supporting efforts to advance diverse participation in clinical trials;
• EQUITABLE data efforts by increasing data available on diverse groups; and
• EQUITY of voices by amplifying the FDA’s communication with diverse groups and to ensure stakeholders, including consumers, are informed about FDA’s efforts and to understand diverse patient perspectives, preferences, and unmet needs.

On this webpage, you will find information about OMHHE’s NMHM activities, health education materials, and resources. This includes materials in 11 languages that encourage diverse participation in clinical trials and information on current research projects, data, and funding opportunities. You can also visit the HHS OMH website and other partner agencies in HHS for additional information.

Health Education Materials:

OMHHE offers many easy-to-use and culturally-appropriate resources on minority health, health disparities, and related topics. These resources are available to view online, print, or share. Some are available in Spanish and additional languages. Visit the Minority Health and Health Equity Resources Catalog for the full list of resources available in multiple languages. Here are a few selected topics to get you started:

• Clinical Trial Diversity
• Hepatitis B
• Lupus
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Skin Facts!

March is National Nutrition® Month

National Nutrition Month^® is an annual campaign created 50 years ago in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.

This year’s theme is “Fuel for the Future.” Eating with sustainability in mind is a tasty way to nourish ourselves during every phase of life and protect the environment. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can help you create healthy habits that are sustainable and celebrate your unique needs.

Resources:

National Nutrition Month Toolkits
50 Ways to Celebrate

National Nutrition Month® Weekly Messages

Week 1: Eat with the environment in mind.

• Enjoy more plant-based meals and snacks.
• Purchase foods with minimal packaging.
• Buy foods in season and shop locally when possible.
• Start a container or backyard garden to grow food at home.

Week 2: See a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

• Ask your doctor for a referral to an RDN.
• Find an RDN who specializes in your unique needs.
• Learn how nutrient needs may change with age.
• Receive personalized nutrition information to meet your health goals.

Week 3: Stay nourished and save money.

• Plan your meals and snacks.
• See what food you have at home before purchasing more.
• Use a grocery list and shop sales when purchasing food.
• Learn about community resources such as SNAP, WIC and local food banks.

Week 4: Eat a variety of foods from all food groups.

• Include your favorite cultural foods and traditions.
• Eat foods in various forms including fresh, frozen, canned and dried.
• Avoid fad diets that promote unnecessary restrictions.
• Practice gratitude for your body by giving it the fuel it needs.

Week 5: Make tasty foods at home.

• Learn cooking and meal preparation skills.
• Try new flavors and foods from around the world.
• Find creative ways to use leftovers rather than tossing them.
• Create happy memories by eating with friends and family when possible.

February is American Heart Month

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the #1 contributor to racial disparities in life expectancy in the United States. Among those bearing the highest burden of CVD and related health consequences are Black adults. Black adults are twice as likely as White adults to die from preventable heart disease and have twice the rate of death from hypertension-related disorders.

The “Live to the Beat” campaign was launched by the CDC Foundation to support the Million Hearts^® initiative. Its aim is to reduce CVD risk among Black adults ages 35–54 years, by encouraging moving more, eating better, quitting smoking, and addressing key risk factors, including hypertension, high  cholesterol, and high blood sugar.

This American Heart Month, CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) is excited to share “Live to the Beat” with you, along with valuable tools, resources, and programming in support of our shared mission to achieve equitable cardiovascular health across the nation. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Use the “Live to the Beat” campaign resources to share small steps to help Black adults in your community reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Check out and share the “Live to the Beat” Pulse Check, a new interactive experience that allows you to customize the small steps needed to improve your heart health.
• Share information about the “Live to the Beat” Community Ambassadors Network, a group of trusted leaders who share award-winning content and resources to help their community live their best, healthiest lives.
• Use the recently updated Best Practices for Heart Disease and Stroke: A Guide for Effective Approaches and Strategies to inform decision-making by translating evidence into specific public health actions that health care and public health professionals can take to address heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions within their own practice and communities.

To help jump-start your efforts, feel free to use the sample messages below in your social media and member communications:

Twitter

• February is American #HeartMonth! Join @CDCHeart_Stroke in raising awareness about #HeartDisease and #StrokePrevention across all age groups, especially 35- to 54-year-olds. https://www.cdc.gov/heartmonth

Facebook

• No matter where you are on your health journey, a healthier life is possible. This American Heart Month, live to the beat of your own heart and prevent cardiovascular disease on your terms. Learn more about the @Live to the Beat campaign. https://www.livetothebeat.org/

LinkedIn/Newsletter

• February is American Heart Month! Although cardiovascular disease (#CVD) death rates have increased across all demographic groups, Black populations continue to be disproportionately affected. Join the “Live to the Beat” campaign to help Black adults take small steps to prevent heart disease and stroke. https://www.livetothebeat.org/

May is American Stroke Month

Happy American Stroke Month! The American Heart Association is focusing on women and the unique risk factors that may put them at a higher risk for stroke. About 55,000 more women than men have a stroke every year and it’s the No. 4 cause of death for women. Most strokes can be prevented. In honor of Stroke Month, we ask all women to make a commitment to reclaim today for a better tomorrow.

Below are simple ways anyone can help:

• WATCH + SHARE the PSA.

• TEST your knowledge of women’s unique risk factors for stroke with this quiz.

• GET MOVING + BE INSPIRED by the special Together We Defeat Stroke playlist on Pandora, a compilation of suggestions from stroke survivors 

• USE the Women and Stroke infographic (Spanish version here) to raise awareness about what puts women at a higher risk for stroke.

• ENSURE that everyone knows How to Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home.
• FOLLOW the AHA on Social Media, and post-campaign messages.
• LEARN the acronym F.A.S.T. at www.stroke.org/strokemonth and find additional campaign information.

Thank you for raising awareness about stroke in May!

February is Heart Month, an opportunity to raise awareness to the fact that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease, and it can be prevented.

The information below has been provided by National Forum Members and organized in this central location to be easily accessed, utilized and shared for better heart health.