Did you know that May is jam packed with plenty of opportunities to spread health awareness? Learn more about what’s coming up this month and how you can be a part of making a difference.
National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
May is Allergy and Asthma Awareness month. May is peak season for those who suffer from asthma and allergies, which means it’s the perfect time for respiratory therapists to educate their patients, family, communities, and more. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), over 65 million people in the U.S. are affected by asthma and allergies. The theme for this year’s awareness month is to focus on dispelling myths around asthma and allergies.
On the AAFA website you can find:
Learn More About National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, which is put on by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. According the the CF Foundation, 30,000 Americans live with Cystic Fibrosis and there is currently no cure for the condition. The CF Foundation is asking for those living with the illness to share their story on social media by using the hashtag #CFawareness.
On the CF Foundation website you will find plenty of facts about the illness, social media graphics, shareable CF facts, and a CF community blog that you can share with patients, loved ones, and co-workers.
Learn More About Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
ALS Awareness Month
May is ALS Awareness Month, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that currently has no cure. According to the ALS Association, more than 5,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year. The ALS Association served over 20,000 people living with the disease over the past year.
On the ALS Association website you can find:
Learn More About ALS Awareness Month
National Nurses Week
Nurses Week is May 6 – 12 and is put on by the American Nurses Association (ANA). This is a great time to celebrate co-workers who have been working alongside the respiratory team throughout the pandemic. National Nurses Week was started in 1974 and ends on May 12, which is Florence Nightingale’s day of birth.
Learn More About National Nurse Week
National Women’s Health Week
Women’s Health Week is celebrated May 9 – 15. Women’s Health Week starts every year on Mother’s Day to encourage women and girls to take charge of their health. The Office on Women’s Health provides plenty of topics and resources relating specifically to women’s health.
On the OASH website you will find:
- Talk to A Health Care Provider
- Healthy Ways to Manage Stress
- Good Sleep Habits
- Ways to Look Out for Your Lungs
Learn More About National Women’s Health Week
Email newsroom@aarc.org with questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you.
Addie Schiefer is the Content Manager for the AARC where she creates engaging content for the association via the AARC website, newsletters, and social media. Connect with her about potential stories by email, AARConnect, or LinkedIn. When she’s not working, you can find her listening to a true crime podcast, traveling to new places with her husband, hanging out with her dog JoJo, or browsing the aisles of the nearest Target.
