On Monday, we received a news release raising concern about the growing number of “awareness” months in this country.
According to the release, “October is well-known for its pink ribbons and November is coming to be known for its mustaches, but what about the health campaigns that don’t have fun gimmicks or pretty pink products?”
Good question.
There are hundreds of health “awareness” campaigns every year in this country. In October, in addition to breast cancer awareness, Americans observed Chiropractic Health Month, Dental Hygiene Month, Disability Employment Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Eye Injury Prevention Month, Health Literacy Month, Home Eye Safety Month, Medical Librarians Month, Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month, Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month, Pharmacists Month, Physical Therapy Month, SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and Talk About Prescriptions Month.
Home Eye Safety Month? Absolutely.
According to preventblindness.org, which coordinates this awareness campaign, approximately half of all eye injuries occur in or around the home. That’s an astonishing number, and a little safety awareness could do a whole lot to reduce that trauma.
In addition to the 15 specialty topics we were asked to be aware last month, there were another 23 specialized awareness weeks, including Red Ribbon Week from Oct. 23-31, plus eight specialized awareness days, including Oct. 23, which is Lung Health Day.
In November, there are 15 more issues to be aware of, including Alzheimer’s and pancreatic cancer, plus 13 specialty awareness weeks and two special awareness days, including the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 21.
The release pointing out the proliferation of health care campaigns asked how this month’s diabetes awareness work can compete with the mustache campaign.
It can, and it does.
As mustaches have come to signify men’s health, and pink signifies breast cancer awareness, blue has become the color of diabetes awareness.
November is Diabetes Month and Nov. 14 is World Diabetes Day, in recognition of Frederick Banting’s birthday. Medical student Charles Best and Banting, a Canadian physician, discovered the hormone insulin in the 1920s, which then led to the commercial sale of insulin to control diabetes.
Right now in this country, there are more than 26 million people living with diabetes. Of those, about 19 million are diagnosed and being treated. Another 7 million are undiagnosed and struggling.
The number of Americans that the American Diabetes Association estimates are now living in pre-diabetes condition? Seventy nine million.
That’s a quarter of the population of this entire country, or one in every four Americans living in pre-diabetes condition.
We had better be aware of that, and not just this month, but every day.
Awareness campaigns, gimmicks and all, work as designed. They bring attention to our personal health — physical, mental and social — and raise money for research and education.
June is designated as a Men’s Health Month. So is November.
Women’s health awareness is confined to a week, from May 12-18, and again for a day on Sept. 24, which is Women’s Health and Fitness Day.
Women also have a special post-holiday season Healthy Weight Day on Jan. 24.
There is no such specialized day for men.
The month during which we’re asked to be most aware?
May.
There are 26 health topics for the month, 14 topics of the week — including Run a Mile Days from May 5-11 — and eight designated days of awareness, including School Nurse Day on May 8.
Many of the health awareness campaigns are appropriately tied to the seasons, such as Safe Toys and Gifts Month in December and Sun Safety Week from June 2-8.
In 2014, Health Decisions Day is April 16, which is 16 days after the March 31 open enrollment deadline under the Affordable Care Act. Maybe that particular awareness day should be backed up to some time in February, or January.
We’re asked to be aware of booze during April, which is Alcohol Awareness Month, the need for more exercise during Bike Month in May, and to learn about sexually transmitted diseases during January (cervical health), February (condom month), April (Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Month), May (Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month), June (June 27 is national HIV Testing Day), November (Sexual Health Month) and again in December for World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.
The gimmicks work, too.
It is a fact that pink ribbons, pink-adorned NFL uniforms, pink lighting at the White House and pink-themed community fitness events have brought increased awareness of breast cancer and boosted efforts to raise funds for prevention and cure.
And it’s hard not to notice the proliferation of post-World Series beards and not become aware of Men’s Health Month, or the national public service campaign for men to pay attention to prostate health.
An entire silicon wristband industry, first seen with the Livestrong Foundation bands to raise money for cancer research, now supports charitable giving.
These inexpensive wristbands allow people to — quite literally — display support for a particular health or social cause important to them.
Know someone with lung cancer? Sport a clear band to signify clear lungs.
Jigsaw puzzle wristband? That means you know someone with autism.
Osteoporosis? There’s a lace ribbon band for that.
The meaning of many of these health awareness bands has increased, based on color, to include social issues. For instance, a white wristband is worn in recognition of bone cancer, but also to raise awareness about victims of terrorism and violence against women.
A black band supports research for melanoma, but also supports gang prevention.
A teal band raises money for female-specific cancers, like ovarian and cervical cancer, but also raises awareness for victims of sexual assault and tsunamis.
And, while this nation marks Nov. 11 as the official and solemn observance of our support for veterans, people are increasingly showing their support every day for vets by wearing bracelets and ribbons: yellow to bring veterans home, metal cuffs to remember war dead, camo-colored paracord bracelets in support of troops, and black and white silicon bands to help fund the Wounded Warrior Project.
There’s something about going public with pink ribbons, facial stubble and colored wristbands that says the health, safety and happiness of the people we love is important to us, and we’re going to do what we can to raise money, raise attention and call for action.
That’s no gimmick. That’s the power of human effort.
jmeyer@sunjournal.com
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