Important Dates
Important Dates
October
4-10: National Fire Prevention Week. Oct. 9 was the anniversary of the Chicago Fire of 1871. Contact: Public Affairs Division, National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Phone: (617) 984-7275.
4-10: Health Careers Awareness Week. Contact: Missouri Hospital Association, P.O. Box 60, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Phone: (573) 893-3700. Fax: (573) 893-2809.
4-10: National Respiratory Care Week. Contact: Beth Binkley, American Association for Respiratory Care, 11030 Ables Lane, Dallas, TX 75229. Phone: (972) 243-2272.
18-25: National Infection Control Week. Initially proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan, the week is used to improve patient care, to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections, and to minimize occupational hazards associated with the health care environment. Contact: Education Department, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Inc., 1016 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036. Phone: (202) 296-2742. Fax: (202) 296-2742. E-mail: [email protected].
19-23: National Health Education Week. This week is dedicated to promoting the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of students to grow into healthy adults. This one-week program has curricula for students in kindergarten through grade six. Contact: Lynne Whitt, executive vice president, National Center for Health Education, 72 Spring St., New York, NY 10012.
1-31: National Brain Injury Awareness Month. Nearly 2 million Americans sustain brain injuries each year, making this the leading cause of death and disability in children and young adults. This month is sponsored by the Brain Injury Association with the purpose of encouraging acceptance of those with brain injury and to promote preventive measures. For an information kit, contact: Communications Coordinator, Public Affairs, Brain Injury Association, 1776 Massachu setts Ave. NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036. Phone: (202) 296-6443. Fax: (202) 296-8850.
1-31: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Celebrating its 12th year, this program focuses on educating women on early detection of breast cancer. Four years ago, President Clinton signed an official registration proclaiming Oct. 19 as National Mammography Day. Contact: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, C/O Foresight Communications, P.O. Box 3156, Chicago, IL 60654-3156.
1-31: Child Health Month. Prevention is the focus, and the slogan is "Solutions Before Problems." Child Health Month resource packets are mailed to pediatricians and other health advocacy organizations. Contact: American Academy of Pediatrics, 141 Northwest Point Blvd., P.O. Box 927, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. Phone: (847) 981-7871 or leave name and address on message line at (847) 981-7134.
1-31: National Family Health Month. Special emphasis is given to encouraging individuals to take a closer look at their own and their family's total health and to discuss any concerns/questions with their family physician. Contact: American Academy of Family Physicians at (800) 274-2237, ext. 4234.
1-31: Healthy Lung Month. This is the American Lung Association's educational campaign to promote preventative measures for better lung health. This year's focus is on influenza/pneumonia immunization, better indoor air quality, and asthma management. Contact: your local lung association or (800) LUNGUSA (586-4872).
1-31: Liver Awareness Month. About 51,000 Americans die each year from lung diseases, making it the seventh leading disease-related cause of death for those between the ages of 25 and 59. Contact: American Liver Foundation, 1425 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Phone: (800) 223-0179 or (201) 256-2550.
1-31: National Physical Therapy Month. Physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students will host educational and fun activities to celebrate the profession and educate the public about the benefits of physical therapy. Contact: American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone: (703) 706-3218.
1-31: Talk about Prescriptions Month. This month is dedicated to improving communications between health care professionals and patients about prescription medicines to ensure their safe and appropriate use. Contact: National Council on Patient Information and Education, Talk About Prescriptions Month, 666 Eleventh St. NW, Suite 810, Washington, DC 20001-4542. Phone: (202) 347-6711. Fax: (202) 638-0773.
November
1-30: National Alzheimer's Disease Month. Recognized since 1986, the month promotes greater public awareness of the disease, which affects 4 million Americans. Contact: Media Relations Department, Alzheimer's Association, 919 North Michigan Ave., Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611. Phone: (800) 272-3900 or (312) 335-8700. Fax: (312) 335-0274.
1-30: American Diabetes Month. Diabetes associations hold patient programs, seminars, and other special events. Also, they give away a brochure called "Diabetes: What to Know - Head to Toe." Contact: American Diabetes Association, National Center, 1660 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone: (703) 549-1500, ext. 2408.
1-30: Christmas Seal Campaign. The campaign helps fund programs of education, advocacy, and research for lung disease. Contact: Your local American Lung Association or call (800) LUNGUSA (586-4872).
1-30: Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. Prevent Blindness America educates the public on how diabetes affects eyes. Contact: Prevent Blindness America, 500 East Remington Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Phone: (800) 331-2020.
1-30: National Home Care Month. This event, sponsored by the National Association for Home Care, seeks to increase public awareness of the home health care services available in communities around the United States. Contact: Margo A. Gillman, National Association for Home Care, 228 Seventh St. SE, Washington, DC 20003. Phone: (202) 547-7424.
1-30: National Hospice Month. The month promotes public awareness about how hospice care affirms life and emphasizes quality during patients' final phase of a terminal illness. Contact: National Hospice Organization, 1901 North Moore St., Suite 901, Arlington, VA 22209 or call Hospice Helpline at (800) 658-8898.
2-8: National Diabetes Education Week. The week is designed to promote public awareness of the benefits of diabetes patient education. Contact: American Association of Diabetes Educators, 444 North Michigan Ave., Suite 1240, Chicago, IL 60611. Phone: (800) 338-DMED.
2-8: National Health Information Manage ment Week. Sponsored by the American Health Information Management Association, this week celebrates the important contributions made to the field. Promotional materials are available. Contact: Ken Polson, American Health Information Management Association, 919 North Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611. Phone: (312) 787-2627, ext. 265.
22-28: National Family Caregivers Week. The week pays tribute to the 25 million Americans who care for their ill or disabled loved ones. The National Family Caregivers Association has kits use in creating local events. Contact: Suzanne Mintz, president, National Family Caregivers Association, 9621 E. Bexhill Drive, Kensington, MD 20895-3104. Phone: (301) 942-6430. Fax: (301) 942-2302. E-mail: [email protected].
This calendar listing is provided courtesy of the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Develop ment of the American Hospital Association. The organization, located at One North Franklin, 31st Floor, Chicago, IL 60606, sells an 89-page "Health Observances & Recognition Days" calendar (Catalog No. C-166858). The cost is $15 for AHA members and $20 for nonmembers. Call (800) 242-2626 for additional information.
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.