World Health Days are celebrated for many purposes such as,
to promote important public health issues, to raise public awareness, to
encourage people, to prevent, detect and treat different kinds of diseases etc.
World Health Days list is long. In every month of the year, one or more health
days are observed globally. To be aware of diseases and conscious of our
health, we should know about the Health Days and participate in the programs
arranged to celebrate the days. It is our responsibility as human beings. So at
first, let's know why and when the World Health Days are observed and for what
purposes.
January
World Braille Day - January 4th
Every year, the World Braille Day is observed on 4th January
worldwide to raise awareness about the struggle of blind and visually impaired
people. The day is the birthday of Louis Braille. Louis Braille invented
Braille reading and writing system. The blind and visually impaired people use
this tactile system. The celebration of the day gives recognition to the achievements
and contributions of Louis Braille.
World Leprosy Day - January 30th or its nearest Sunday
January 30th or its nearest Sunday is the observation day of
World Leprosy Day. The day is observed internationally. The day's aim is to
create public awareness about Leprosy (Hansen's Disease). Mahatma Gandhi, the
father of the nation, India realized the importance of leprosy. He died on
January 30th. To commemorate his death, the day was chosen.
February
World Cancer Day - February 4th
To raise awareness and encourage the prevention, detection
and treatment, a truly global event, the World Cancer Day is observed on
February 4th. The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) founded the day
aiming to stop millions of preventable deaths every year. Along with raising
awareness, they educate people, press governments and individuals globally for
taking action against cancer.
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day - February 14th
Can you remember the day February 14th? Yes, it is
Valentine's Day. On this special day, A Day for Hearts which is called
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day is observed. The main purpose of the day
is to raise awareness, honor and remember those who are born with a heart
defect.
World Rare Disease Day - February 28th or 29th (in a Leap
Year)
To raise awareness for rare diseases (a rare disease affects
a small number of the population, most rare diseases are genetic), World Rare
Disease Day is observed on the last day of February. The purpose of the day is
not only raising awareness but also improving access to treatments and medical
representation for those who are living with rare and genetic diseases. It
involves their families also.
March
World Kidney Day - 2nd Thursday in March
World Kidney Day is celebrated on the 2nd Thursday in March.
It is an annual global health awareness and education event. Every year, Kidney
charities, patient groups, individuals and healthcare professionals organize
numerous local, national and international events to focus the importance of
the kidneys. Their aim is to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease.
World Kidney Day date was set in 2006 when 66 nations observed the day for the
first time.
World Water Day - 22nd March
International World Water Day is observed annually on 22
March. The day was initiated by the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development (UNCED) in 1993. The main focuses of the day are: making
attention on the importance of freshwater, sanitation and hygiene facilities
around the globe, especially in the developing world.
World TB Day - March 24th
Every year, World TB (Tuberculosis) Day is observed on 24th
March. The aim of the day is to build public awareness that TB is remaining a
global epidemic today and to eliminate the disease. Tuberculosis kills almost
1.5 million people each year. Most of the deaths are taken place in the
developing countries. Dr Robert Koch discovered the cause of tuberculosis and
announced his discovery on March 24th. To commemorate the event, World TB Day
is celebrated on that day.
Epilepsy Day (Purple Day) - March 26th
The Purple Day or Epilepsy Awareness Day is an annual event
observed on March 26th. To increase awareness about epilepsy worldwide is the
main goal of the day. On the day, people from all countries of the world are
invited to wear purple and celebrate events in support of epilepsy awareness.
Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada started the day in 2008. According to WHO
(World Health Organization), nearly 50 million people globally live with
epilepsy.
April
World Health Day - April 7th
The World Health Day is observed on 7th April every year. It
is a health awareness day. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other
related organizations are the sponsors of the day. The WHO held the first World
Health Assembly in 1948. According to the decision of the assembly, the World
Health Day is celebrated from the year 1950, marking the founding of the WHO.
Local, regional and international events are organized by the WHO on the day.
Numerous governments and non-governmental organizations acknowledge the day and
organize various activities.
World Parkinson's Day - April 11th
Every year, World Parkinson's Day is observed on 11th April
globally. Parkinson's is not a curable disease. Parkinson's Day is celebrated
to raise public awareness for changing in the treatment and management of the
condition of the disease. Parkinson's disease is named after James Parkinson,
an English doctor who published the first Essay describing Shaking Palsy in
1817. To honor him, his birthday 11th April has been selected as the World Parkinson's
Day.
World Hemophilia Day - April 17th
What is World Hemophilia Day? It is an awareness day marking
hemophilia and other bleeding disorders held on 17th April every year. Frank
Schnabell established the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), a non-profit
organization in 1963. To honor Frank Schnabell, the World Hemophilia Day is
observed on his birthday April 17th since 1989. The day is officially
recognized by the World Health Organization.
World Meningitis Day - April 24th
Confederation of Meningitis Organizations (CoMo) are
responsible for celebrating World Meningitis Day on April 24th each year. On
the day, people around the world get an opportunity to raise their voices for
meningitis. Every year more than one million people are affected and 170,000
people die because of bacterial meningitis. Observing the day helps to raise
awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis as well as to increase knowledge
of available vaccines.
May
World Asthma Day - First Tuesday of May
To improve asthma awareness and care, Global Initiative for
Asthma (GINA) organizes the World Asthma Day on the first Tuesday of May
worldwide every year. The first World Asthma Day was celebrated in 1998.
According to WHO, more than 300 million people suffer from asthma and people in
all countries are affected by asthma.
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day - May 8th
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement organizes
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on May 8th every year. The first Nobel
Peace Prize winner and founder of International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC), Henry Dunant was born on 8th May. To commemorate his birthday, the date
was selected. The day was first celebrated in 1948. The day honors Red Cross's
seven Principles - Humanity, Unity, Independence, Neutrality, Voluntary
Service, Impartiality and Universality.
World Lupus Day - May 10th
A global health problem, Lupus is a chronic, serious,
life-altering, autoimmune disease. It has the power of damaging any part of our
body such as joints, skin or/and inner body organs. The World Lupus Federation
observes World Lupus Day on 10th May every year. The main purpose of the day is
to make awareness and control of Lupus.
International CFS Awareness Day - May 12th
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
(ME) is a substantial disability which affects daily activities. Depression and
frustration are the symptoms of the disease. To increase awareness among the
people International CFS Awareness Day is observed on 12th May every year.
World Digestive Health Day - May 29th
World Digestive Health Day is organized every year on 29th May
by the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO), in association with the WGO
Foundation. They also initiate yearlong public health campaign globally
focusing a particular digestive disorder. The aim of targeting a certain
digestive disorder is to prevent, prevalent, diagnose, manage and treat the
disorder. The World Digestive Health Day is observed since 2005.
World No Tobacco Day - May 31st
Every year, all the United Nations member states have been
celebrating World No Tobacco Day on 31st May since 1987. The intention of the
day is to highlight the negative effects of tobacco use and to draw attention
to the widespread use of tobacco. Each year, tobacco kills nearly 6 million
people all around the world. Among them, 600,000 are non-smokers who are exposed
to second-hand smoke. The World Health Organization's (WHO) member states
created the World No Tobacco Day.
World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day- Last Wednesday of
May
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease which affects
the brain, the optic nerves of the eyes and the spinal cord. It causes
disability in young adults. To raise awareness about MS disease, a day is
observed. The last Wednesday of May is officially marked for World Multiple
Sclerosis Day (WMSD). The MS International Federation (MSIF), in association
with its members introduced WMSD in 2009.
June
World Blood Donor Day - June 14th
The day June 14th was initiated in 2004 as the World Blood
Donor Day (WBDD). June 14th is the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner who distinguished
the main blood groups. The day raises awareness of the necessity of safe blood
and blood products. It also thanks to the donors for their precious gifts of
blood. Among the eight official global public health campaigns organized by the
WHO, WBDD is one.
July
World Hepatitis Day - July 28th
Every year, on 28th July World Hepatitis Day is observed.
The aim is to raise awareness about Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. It is one of
the eight days for global public health campaigns marked by WHO. The journey of
World Hepatitis Day actually started in 2004 as the International Hepatitis C
Awareness Day celebrated on October 1st. Later the name and date was changed.
In 2008, the first International World Hepatitis Day was observed on May 19th.
In 2010, the date was changed to July 28th.
September
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day - 9th
September
FASD Awareness Day is observed on 9th September all around
the world every year. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol
spectrum disorders that are very dangerous. To raise awareness about this
dangers, FASD Awareness Day is celebrated since 9.9.99. On the day at 9:09,
bells are rung in every time zone from Alaska to New Zealand.
World Suicide Prevention Day - 10th September
Every year, World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is observed
on September 10th all around the world. The aim of the day is to prevent
suicides. The day is organized by the International Association for Suicide
Prevention (IASP), in association with the World Federation for Mental Health
and the World Health Organization (WHO).
World Lymphoma Awareness Day - 15th September
Every year, 15th September is the day of celebration of
World Lymphoma Awareness Day (WLAD). An increasingly common form of cancer is
lymphoma. To raise awareness of lymphoma, the day is observed. A non-profit
organization, Lymphoma Coalition (LC) hosts the event. The first WLAD was
celebrated in 2004.
World Alzheimer’s Day - 21st September
To raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer's cause, the
World Alzheimer's Day is observed all over the globe on September 21st every
year. Actually, World Alzheimer's Month is celebrated throughout September
which was launched in 2012.
Ataxia Awareness Day - 25th September
Do you know, what is Ataxia? It is a fatal genetically-based
degenerative neurological sign of lack of muscle control or coordination of
voluntary movements. To raise awareness of this rare disease International
Ataxia Awareness Day (IAAD) is observed on 25th September each year.
World Rabies Day - 28th September
To prevent and highlight progress in defeating rabies, World
Rabies Day is observed on 28th September every year. Louis Pasteur developed
the first vaccine for rabies. He died on September 28th. To commemorate him
World Rabies Day is celebrated on that day.
World Heart Day - 29th September
World Heart Day falls on September 29th each year. The day
is sponsored by the World Heart Federation. The aim of the day is to raise
awareness of cardiovascular disease. The day was first celebrated in 2000. The
World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Heart Foundation (WHF) jointly
took the initiative.
October
World Mental Health Day - 10th October
To educate and make awareness, World Mental Health Day is
observed on 10th October each year around the world. The day was first
celebrated in 1992. The initiative of observing the day was taken by the World
Federation for Mental Health. Some countries celebrate this day as an awareness
week.
World Sight Day - Second Thursday of October
It is a global awareness making event, takes place on the
second Thursday of October each year. The aim of the day is to focus on
blindness and vision impairment. The Lions Club International Foundation
initiated the day in 2000.
World Food Day - 16th October
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was established
on 16th October in 1945. In honor of the day, World Food Day is observed on
October 16th. To raise awareness of the causes behind poverty and hunger, the
day is observed. The day was established in 1979 by FAO's Member States.
World Osteoporosis Day - 20th October
An annual event, World Osteoporosis Day falls on 20th
October. For raising global awareness to prevent, diagnose, and treat
osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease, the day is observed. The International
Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) organizes the event. The day was initiated in
1996.
International Stuttering Awareness Day - 22nd October
To raise global awareness of the speech disorder of
stuttering, International Stuttering Awareness Day (ISAD) is observed on 22nd
October each year. The day was declared in 1999. The International Fluency
Association (IFA) and the International Stuttering Association (ISA) jointly
selected the day.
November
World Diabetes Day - 14th November
November 14th is World Diabetes Day. The day was initiated
by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in association with the World
Health Organization (WHO) in 1991. In 2006, it became a UN's official day. To
raise awareness the day focuses the rapid rise of diabetes all over the world.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day - 18th November
Antibiotic resistance is a public threat. So, the use of
antibiotic has to be prudent. And to aware people of this issues, the European
Antibiotic Awareness Day is observed on 18th November each year. The day falls
in World Antibiotic Awareness Week (3rd week of November).
December
World Aids Day - 1st December
To raise awareness of AIDS pandemic, World AIDS Day is
observed on the first day of December. The day was initiated in 1988. The day
is celebrated globally by Government and non-government organizations and
individuals. All member States of the United Nations observe the day.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 3rd
December
The United Nations celebrates International Day of Persons
with Disabilities (IDPD) December 3rd every year. It is a global event taking
place since 1992. Disabled people have dignity and rights. Everybody has to
support them. So, awareness has to be raised. And, by focusing all these
things, IDPD is observed.
Besides the above mentioned World Health Days, week-long and
month-long health days are celebrated around the world. The weeks and months
are:
- Brain Awareness Week
- IBS, National Autism & Cesarean Awareness Month
- Hepatitis and Lyme Disease Awareness Month
- Brain Injury Awareness Week
- International Men’s Health Week
- International Group B Strep Awareness Month
- World Breast Feeding Week
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
- Breast Cancer, Lupus & Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
We will discuss the week-long and month-long health days in another
article in future. There are a lot of things to know about the health days. So,
visit the health websites to get detail information. I have given the sources
of my information below so that you can visit the sites easily for your
expected information. We should know about the health days and raise awareness.
Only our voluntary participation can make the days successful.
Sources of Information: Wikipedia, WHO, UICC,
consumerhealthdigest.com, globalgenes.org, worldkidneyday.co.uk, un.org,
stoptb.org, purpleday.org, nationaldaycalendar.com, meningitis.org,
comomeningitis.org, worldasthmaday.org, redcross.org, cdc.gov,
worldgastroenterology.org, worldmsday.org, worldmsday.org, fasday.com, alz.org,
alz.co.uk, ataxia.org, who.int, iapb.org, mnsu.edu.
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