2022 Suggested Health and Wellness Observances

Click here to download the 2022 observances.

Note: Inclusion of links and information on this webpage is not necessarily an endorsement of all of that particular organization's practices and views.

JANUARY 2022

National Volunteer Blood Donor Month. Sponsor a “Post-Holiday Blood Drive” in your congregation in partnership with your local blood donation center.

Glaucoma Awareness Month. January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease. 



FEBRUARY 2022

American Heart Month and Wear Red Sunday. On Sunday, February 20 everyone is encouraged to wear something red to bring awareness to the number 1 killer of women – heart disease. Also, congregants may wish to participate in Go Red Day – Friday, February 4. #WearRedSunday2022

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday (February 6) promotes greater and education about HIV/AIDS in African American congregations. Click here for a toolkit. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is February 7.

MARCH 2022

American Kidney Fund Kidney Sunday (March 6) observes the importance of kidney health and promotes World Kidney Day. #AKFSunday

On World Kidney Day (March 8), the American Kidney Fund urges the public to Take Six Steps that Count to Fight Kidney Disease:
• Know your numbers
• Identify your risks for kidney disease
• Donate to help kidney patients with treatment-related expenses
• Notify your family of your wish to be an organ donor
• Eat healthy, exercise, and don’t smoke
• Your doctor is a resource—ask about your eGFR!

The focus of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10) is to empower women and girls to make the best choices when it comes to sex. Abstinence is the surest way to avoid HIV, but if you decide to have sex, there are simple, effective steps to protect yourself and others from HIV. Regardless of the type of relationship you are in, HIV prevention is key. Love yourself and put your best defense into play.

Taste Test Sunday (March 20) promotes healthy desserts at congregational fellowship functions by having desserts prepared in accordance with guidelines for diabetics. Invite the congregation to sample them after worship. Promote a contest among congregants to collect recipes with healthy substitutions for a healthy cookbook. #TTS2021

American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day (March 22, 2022) 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.

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancer. 

National Nutrition Month.

National Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month. 

APRIL 2022

Minority Health Month held annually the month of April promotes health issues especially relevant to minority communities. This year, the NBCUSA wants to place special emphasis on participation in the planning, designing, and implementation of, and participation in clinical studies.

The World Health Day (April 7) is celebrated to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization. This year’s emphasis area is depression.

Counseling Awareness Month. 

MAY 2022

American Stroke Association American Stroke Month. Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability in America. Yet, only 2 percent of those recently surveyed consider stroke the leading health issue and only 7 percent think of stroke as a major health concern. Make stroke awareness a priority in your life and enlighten those in your congregation on Power Sunday - May 15.

National Mental Health Month focuses on raising awareness about mental health by reaching millions of people through the media, local events and screenings.

National Women's Health Week (May 8-14). During National Women's Health Week each year, millions of women take steps to improve their health. The week serves as a reminder for women to make their health a priority and build positive health habits for life.

Bells for Remembrance (Mother’s Day 2022-May 8) focuses on breast health awareness. The goal of the Bells for Remembrance campaign is to encourage all women age 40 and older to get annual screening mammograms.

JUNE 2022

Summer of Health and Wellness Vacation Bible School. Integrate the 9-5-2-1-0 health and wellness curriculum into your congregation’s VBS. You may go to www.sspbnbc.com to view this year's VBS curriculum. 

Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and other health education and outreach activities.

Fireworks Safety Month (through July 4) (See July observances.)

The First Sunday (June 5) is National Cancer Survivor’s Day ®, an annual, worldwide Celebration of Life. Communities host events to honor cancer survivors and show that life after a cancer diagnosis can be meaningful, fulfilling, and even inspiring.

JULY 2022

Summer of Health and Wellness Vacation Bible School. (See June observances.)

Fireworks Safety Month (through July 4). During the months of June and July, Americans nationwide are encouraged to observe fireworks safety.

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The month offers organizations of all types and sizes a wonderful opportunity to create mental health awareness in diverse communities. 

AUGUST 2022

National Immunization Awareness Month provides an opportunity to highlight the value of immunization across the lifespan. Activities focus on encouraging all people to protect their health by being immunized against infectious diseases.

National Breastfeeding Month. The breastfeeding campaign, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, hopes to empower women to commit to breastfeeding by highlighting new research showing that babies who are exclusively breastfed for six months are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses, and may be less likely to develop childhood obesity.

National Minority Donor Awareness Day is celebrated August 1 as a time to educate minorities on the need for organ, blood, and tissue donation.

SEPTEMBER 2022

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. More than 23 million children and teenagers in the U.S. are obese or overweight, a statistic that health and medical experts consider an epidemic. While obesity rates have soared among all age groups in this country, obesity is a particularly grave concern for children.

Senior Recognition Sunday-Sunday, September 11, in conjunction with Grandparents Day highlights a major health and wellness issue for persons 55 and older.

Let’s Move National Baptist (September 8-30). Get your congregation and community moving on this weekend.

Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month promotes a call to conduct sickle cell awareness and education activities highlighted by Sickle Sabbath Sunday (September 18). Click here to download a Sickle Sabbath Sunday Toolkit.

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (September 18). In 2008, the AIDS Institute launched this day to bring awareness to the challenging issues the aging population faces with regards to HIV prevention, testing, care and treatment. Browse our resources to find more information about HIV and aging. 

OCTOBER 2022

National Church Safety and Security Month. Congregations are asked to perform a top down safety and security inspection of their houses of worship and grounds including fire evacuation and tornado drills.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month observances have been at the forefront of promoting awareness of breast cancer issues and have evolved along with the national dialogue on breast cancer.

Talk About Prescriptions Month, which first began in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, is a Day of Unity to connect battered women’s advocates across the country.

NOVEMBER 2022

The American Diabetes Association sponsors Diabetes Awareness Month. It takes place each November and is a time to come together as a community to Stop Diabetes®! Click here to download the toolkit.

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month highlights the work of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Pancreatic Cancer Purple Light Sunday (November 20)

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Caregiver Month. In the United States, there are nearly 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers.

Diabetes ID (I Decide) Sunday (November 13) is a national day of action and a simple call - decide to get tested for diabetes.

During the American Cancer Society Great American Smoke Out November 17, congregations can promote tobacco cessation activities throughout the month. Contact your local Tobacco Free coalition.

 DECEMBER 2022

National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month encourages safe and sober driving.

1 World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. Health Ministries are asked to wear red ribbons, provide information, and a time for quiet reflection in recognition of all those stricken with HIV/AIDS.

National Influenza Vaccination Week (December 4-10) is a national awareness week focused on highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination.