JANUARY 2020

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

 

National Birth Defects Prevention (NBDP) Month. The theme for 2020 is “Best for You. Best for Baby.” We know that not all birth defects can be prevented. But expectant mothers can increase their chances of having a healthy baby by doing what they can to be their healthiest self both before and during pregnancy. What is best for them is also best for your baby. 



FEBRUARY 2020

American Heart Month and Wear Red Sunday. On Sunday, February 9 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 7. #WearRedSunday2020

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday (February 2) 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 2020

American Kidney Fund Kidney Sunday (March 1) 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 fcous 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 15) 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. #TTS2020

American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day (March 24, 2020) 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® is an annual nutrition education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign, celebrated each year during the month of March, focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. 

 APRIL 2020

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 emphais 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.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month. If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you are not alone – IBS is common with prevalence estimated at 10% to 15%. 

Alcohol Awareness Month is a public health program organized by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence as a way of increasing outreach and education regarding the dangers of alcoholism and issues related to alcohol.

 MAY 2020

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 17.

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 10-16). 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 2020-May 10) 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 2020

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 7) 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.

Cataract Awareness Month. Half of all Americans will develop cataracts by age 80. More than 22 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts, as noted in Prevent Blindness America's 2008 Vision Problems in the U.S. report. By 2020, 30.1 million Americans in that age group will have cataracts. 

JULY 2020

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 2020

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.

National Periodontal Health Month.

 SEPTEMBER 2020

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 13, in conjunction with Grandparents Day highlights a major health and wellness issue for persons 55 and older.

Let’s Move Weekend (September 11-13). 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 20). 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. 

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. In the USA, over 160,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and about 30,000 die from it. Early detection is the key to successful treatment. 

 OCTOBER 2020

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.

National Domestic Violence Awareness 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 2020

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 15)

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 8) 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 19, congregations can promote tobacco cessation activities throughout the month. Contact your local Tobacco Free coalition.

 DECEMBER 2020

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 6-12) is a national awareness week focused on highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination.