Black History Month
Established as Negro History Week in the 1920's by Carter G. Woodson, February was chosen for the celebration because Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born in this month. Extended to a month-long celebration in 1976, Black History Month is an opportunity to emphasize the history and achievements of African Americans. Let’s take the time to remember, to reunite, and to rededicate ourselves to our history!
National Heart Disease Awareness Month
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women today. I am sure we are all familiar with signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Here are some additional facts:
- Extreme fatigue or loss of sleep
- Chest problems such as difficulty breathing, aches, heaviness, tightness or burning feeling
- Pain between the shoulders and above the navel
- Chest pains or tightness that extends to other areas like the jaw, neck, shoulders, ear, or the inside of the arms
Steps for prevention:
- Lose weight - Obesity is one of the most significant risk factors in developing cardiovascular disease.
- Get active - Men and women alike need to exercise often. And a key to consistent physical activity is finding something you enjoy doing that gives your heart a good workout and fits into your everyday life.
- Prevent diabetes - Diabetes is dangerous as a disease by itself but it has also been medically linked to an increase risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Preventing or treating diabetes is one of the smartest, heart-healthiest decisions you can make.
- Relax - More studies show that stress really does harm your mind and your health. And heart disease is no exception. While high levels of stress are hard on everyone, they are particularly dangerous to women.
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year. More info @http://www.preventblindness.org/
International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
Group B strep (GBS) is a big deal! Approximately 1 in 4 pregnant women carry GBS, the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). GBS can also infect babies during pregnancy and the first few months of life. Not all babies exposed to GBS become infected, but, for those who do, the results can be devastating. GBS can cause babies to be miscarried, stillborn, born prematurely, become very sick, have lifelong handicaps, or die. Learn more @http://www.groupbstrepinternational.org
National Children’s Dental Health Month
Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. NCDHM messages and materials have reached millions of people in communities across the country. Find more info @ ada.org
National Wear Red Day
Celebrate National Wear Red Day® on Friday, February 3, 2012 when Americans nationwide will wear red to show their support for women's heart health. Show off your favorite red dress, red shirt, red tie, or Red Dress Pin to raise awareness that heart disease—the #1 killer of women—is largely preventable. Learn more @http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week
CHC is observed Feb 7-14, 2012. Congenital Heart Disease is considered to be the most common birth defect, and is a leading cause of birth-defect related deaths worldwide. Despite the fact that CHD affects approximately 1.8 million families in the U.S., a relatively small amount of funding is currently available for parent/patient educational services, research, and support. By sharing experiences and providing information, the organization hopes to raise public awareness about conditions that affect approximately 40,000 babies each year in the United States alone. More info @http://tchin.org
National Donor Day
Celebrate National Donor Day on Feb. 14, 2012, which is focused on five points of life: organs, tissues, marrow, platelets, and blood. Many nonprofit health organizations sponsor blood and marrow drives and organ/tissue sign-ups across the nation. National Donor Day was started in 1998 by the Saturn Corporation and its United Auto Workers partners with the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and many nonprofit health organizations. More info @http://www.organdonor.gov/
1 comments:
I enjoy your articles so much. They are interesting and informative with a touch of "Kim and sense" (my take on common sense). I'm really proud of you!
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