A calendar of health observances for 2012
©National Wellness Institute, Inc.
NationalWellness.org
1
JANUARY
Not everyone works well with New Year’s
resolutions, so just make a conscious effort
to make one healthy choice every day.
Cervical Health Awareness Month
National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC)
www.nccc-online.org
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
www.marchofdimes.com
or
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
www.cdc.gov
National Blood Donor Month
American Association of Blood Banks
(AABB)
www.aabb.org
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
Glaucoma Research Foundation
www.glaucoma.org
January 1 – 2
National Folic Acid Awareness Week
National Council on Folic Acid
folicacidinfo.org
January 15 – 21 (third week of January)
Healthy Weight Week
Healthy Weight Network
www.healthyweightnetwork.com
January 16 (Martin Luther King Day)
MLK Day of Service (annually)
Corporation for National and Community Service
www.mlkday.gov
January 22 – 28
National Certified Nurse Anesthetists Week
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
www.aana.com
FEBRUARY
Show someone you really love them by
skipping the heart-shaped box of candy
and opt for a heart-healthy gift instead.
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
Prevent Blindness America
www.preventblindness.org
American Heart Month
Contact your local chapter of the American Heart
Association
or
AHA National Center
www.americanheart.org
www.cdc.gov
National Cancer Prevention Month
American Institute for Cancer Research
www.aicr.org
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
National Children’s Dental Health Month
Contact the state or local dental society
or
American Dental Association
www.ada.org
National Condom Month
The Bacchus Network National Office
www.bacchusnetwork.org
National Senior Independence Month
Administration on Aging
www.aoa.gov
Wise Health Consumer Month
American Institute for Preventive Medicine
www.healthylife.com
2012
Health & Wellness
Observances Calendar
Presented by the
©National Wellness Institute, Inc.
NationalWellness.org
2
National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
February 1
National Girls & Women in Sports Day
National Girls and Women in Sports Coalition
AAHPERD
www.aahperd.org/nagws/programs/ngwsd
February 4
National Wear Red Day
The Heart Truth—a National Awareness Campaign for
Women About Heart Disease
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Health Information Center
www.hearttruth.gov or
Women Heart
www.womenheart.org or
Go Red For Women Cause Initiatives
American Heart Association National Center
www.goredforwomen.org/national_wear_red_day.aspx
February 12 – 18
National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week
AACVPR Office
www.aacvpr.org
February 14 (Valentine’s Day)
National Condom Awareness Day
www.ashastd.org
February 13 – 19
Random Acts of Kindness Week
Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
www.actsofkindness.org
February 26 – March 3
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
National Eating Disorders Association
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
February 22
World Thinking Day
Girl Scouts
www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/world_thinking_day/
Late February – Early April
Collegiate Safe Spring Break Programming
The Bacchus Network National Office
www.bacchusnetwork.org
MARCH
Donating blood is an easy way to save
a life! Give on your own, or organize a
blood drive in your community.
American Red Cross Month
American Red Cross, National Headquarters
or contact your local chapter
www.redcross.org
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Brain Injury Association of America
www.biausa.org
Hemophilia Month
National Hemophilia Foundation
www.hemophilia.org
Learning Disabilities Awareness Month
Learning Disabilities Association of Canada
www.ldac-acta.ca
National Colorectal Awareness Month
Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
www.preventcancer.org/colorectal
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
The Arc of the United States
www.thearc.org
National Eye Donor Month
EBAA, Eye Bank Association of America
www.restoresight.org
National Kidney Month
National Kidney Foundation
www.kidney.org
National Nutrition Month
American Dietetic Association
www.eatright.org
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National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
National Poison Prevention Month
Poison Prevention Council
www.poisonprevention.org
or
American Association of Poison Control Centers
www.aapcc.org
National Professional Social Work Month
National Association of Social Workers
www.socialworkers.org
Save Your Vision Month
American Optometric Association
www.aoa.org
Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month
Prevent Blindness America
www.preventblindness.org
March 4 – 10
National Collegiate Health and Wellness Week
The Bacchus Network National Office
www.bacchusnetwork.org
March 4 – 10
National Problem Gambling Awareness Week
The National Council on Problem Gambling, Inc.
www.ncpgambling.org/
March 4 – 10
National School Breakfast Week
School Nutrition Association
www.schoolnutrition.org
March 4 – 10 (week before daylight savings time)
National Sleep Awareness Week
National Sleep Foundation
www.sleepfoundation.org
March 13 – 19
National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
Rehabilitation
www.aacvpr.org
March 15 (third Thursday)
Companies that Care Day
Center for Companies that Care
www.companies-that-care.org/l2_day.php
March 18 – 24
National Poison Prevention Week
Poison Prevention Council
www.poisonprevention.org
March 20
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Commitment to Action for 7th Generation
Awareness & Education: HIV/AIDS Prevention Project
www.happ.colostate.edu
or National Native American AIDS Prevention Center
www.nnaapc.org
March 18 – 24
National Youth Violence Prevention Week
National Association of SAVE
www.nationalsave.org
March 21
Kick Butts Day
Campaign for Tobacco–Free Kids
www.tobaccofreekids.org
March 22
World Water Day
RC International Water and Sanitation Centre
www.unwater.org
March 27 (fourth Tuesday in March)
American Diabetes Alert Day
American Diabetes Association
Public Relations
www.diabetes.org
APRIL
Share a talent or skill through
volunteering. Contact your local United
Way or volunteer center and get involved!
National Alcohol Awareness Month
SAMSHA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug
Information
www.ncadd.org
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National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
National Cancer Control Month
Contact your local chapter or
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Prevent Child Abuse America
www.preventchildabuse.org
or
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Children’s Bureau/ACYF
www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/
National Counseling Awareness Month
American Counseling Association (ACA)
www.counseling.org
National Donate Life Month
HRSA Information Center
www.organdonor.gov/
Stress Awareness Month
American Counseling Association (ACA)
www.counseling.org
National Humor Month
Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor
www.aath.org/authors_crisis.htm
Carmel institute Of Humor
www.larrywilde.com/month/htm
www.thehumorcollection.org/
www.comedycures.org
National Minority Health & Health
Disparities Month
Office of Minority Health Resource Center
www.omhrc.gov
National Occupational Therapy Month
The American Occupational Therapy Association
www.aota.org
National STDs/Family Planning Awareness Month
American Social Health Association
www.ashastd.org/
National Youth Sports Safety Month
National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, Inc.
www.nyssf.org
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
www.nsvrc.org
Late February – Early April
Safe Spring Break Programming
The BACCHUS Network National Office
Association Task Force on Alcohol and Other Drugs
www.bacchusnetwork.org
American College Health Association
www.acha.org/index.cfm
April 1 – 7 (first full week)
National Week of the Ocean
National Week of the Ocean Website
www.national-week-of-the-ocean.org/
April 4 (first Wednesday of April)
International Children’s Book Day
International Board on Books for Young People
Basel, Switzerland
www.ibby.org/index.php?id=269
April 4 (first Wednesday of April)
National Day of Hope
Childhelp USA National Hdqtrs
www.childhelpusa.org
April 7 – 13 (starts on World Health Day)
National Public Health Week
American Public Health Association
www.apha.org
April 7 – 8
Alcohol-Free Weekend
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug
Dependence, Inc.
www.ncadd.org
April 7 (annually on April 7)
World Health Day
World Health Organization
www.who.org
www.paho.org
April 5
National Alcohol Screening Day
Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
www.mentalhealthscreening.org
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National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
April 8-14
National Library Week
American Library Association
www.ala.org
April 15 – 21
National Environmental Education Week (eeweek)
National Environmental Education Foundation
www.eeweek.org
April 10
Siblings Day
Siblings Day Foundation
www.siblingsday.org/bodyframe.htm
April 14
International Moment of Laughter Day
Izzy Gesell, Wide Angle Humor
www.izzyg.com
April 16 (annually on April 16)
National Healthcare Decisions Day
NHDD
www.nhdd.org
April 17 – 23
National Minority Cancer Awareness Week
National Cancer Institute
Public Inquiries Office
cancernet.nci.nih.gov
April 15 – 21 (third week of April)
National Volunteer Week
The Points of Light and Hands on Network
www.PointsofLight.org
We, the World, A United World
www.aunitedworld.org/nvw.asp
April 15 – 21
Medical Fitness Week
Medical Fitness Association
www.medicalfitness.org
April 20-22
Global Youth Service Day
Youth Service America
www.ysa.org/gysd
April 22
Earth Day
Earth Day Network
www.earthday.net
April 21 – April 28
National Infant Immunization Week
CDC, National Immunization Program
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw
April 26 (fourth Thursday April)
Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Daughters And Sons To Work® Day
www.daughtersandsonstowork.org
April 27 (fourth Friday in April)
Remember Children Lost to Violence
Child Welfare League of America
www.cwla.org
MAY
Enjoy the warmer weather while biking
to work in honor of both National Bike
Month and Clean Air Month.
Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America
www.aafa.org
www.aanma.org
Better Sleep Month
The Better Sleep Council
www.bettersleep.org
Clean Air Month
Centers for Disease Control
www.cdc.gov/features/cleanairmonth
Correct Posture Month
American Chiropractic Association
Communications Department
www.amerchiro.org
Employee Health & Fitness Month
National Association for Health and Fitness, ACTIVE Life
www.healthandfitnessmonth.com
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National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
Healthy Vision Month/UV Safety
National Eye Institute
www.nei.nih.gov/hvm
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Hepatitis Foundation International
www.hepfi.org
Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month
Huntington’s Disease Society of America
www.hdsa.org
Lupus Awareness Month
Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
www.lupus.org
National Arthritis Month
Arthritis Foundation
www.arthritis.org
National Bike Month
League of American Bicyclists
www.bikeleague.org
National High Blood Pressure Education Month
NHLBI Information Center
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month
American Academy of Dermatology
www.aad.org or
American Cancer Society
www.skincancer.org
National Mental Health Month
National Mental Health Association
www.nmha.org
National Osteoporosis Awareness Prevention Month
National Osteoporosis Foundation
www.nof.org
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
www.fitness.gov
National Stroke Awareness Month
National Stroke Association
www.stroke.org or
American Heart Association (National Center)
www.americanheart.org or contact your local AHA office
National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
Advocates for Youth
www.advocatesforyouth.org
National Tuberous Sclerosis
Awareness Month
Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance
www.tsalliance.org
Older Americans Month
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
Administration on Aging
www.aoa.gov
May 1 – 7 (same dates annually)
National Physical Education and Sports Week
National Association for Sport and Physical Education
(American Alliance for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation, and Dance)
www.aahperd.org
May 2 (first Wednesday in May)
Project Aces Day
(All Children Exercise Simultaneously)
Youth Fitness Coalition, Inc.
www.projectaces.com
May 5 (first Saturday in May)
Join Hands Day: Youth and Adults Volunteering
Together
Points of Light and Hands on Network
www.joinhandsday.org
May 6 – 12 (same dates each year)
National Nurses Week
American Nurses Association
www.nursingworld.org
May 7 – 11 (first full week in May)
North American Occupational Safety and Health Week
(NAOSH)
American Society of Safety Engineers
www.asse.org/naosh
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National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
May 6 – 12 (first full week in May)
International Building Safety Week
International Code Council Foundation
www.icc–foundation.org
www.iccsafe.org/safety/BSW
May 6 – 12 (first full week in May)
Be Kind to Animals Week
Canadian Federation of Humane Societies
www.cfhs.ca
American Humane Association
www.americanhumane.org/
May 6 – 12 (Mother’s Day week)
National Nursing Home Week
American Health Care Association
http://www.nnhw.org
May 6 – 12 (Mother’s Day week)
Women’s Health Week
Office on Women’s Health
Department of Health and Human Services
www.4woman.gov/owh
May 6 – 12 (during week of May 12)
National Hospital Week
American Hospital Association
www.aha.org
May 8 (same date each year)
World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day
American Red Cross
Or contact your local chapter
www.redcross.org
May 9 (during National Nurses Week)
School Nurse Day
www.nasn.org
May 14 – 20
National Volunteer Week – Australia
The Center for Volunteering
www.volunteering.com.au/contact_us.asp
May 12
World Fair Trade Day
World Fair Trade Association (WFTO)
www.wfto.org
May 14 – 18 (third week in May)
Bike to Work Week
League of American Bicyclists
www.bikeleague.org
May 16 (third Wednesday)
National Employee Health and Fitness Day
National Association for Health and Fitness
www.physicalfitness.org
May 20 – 26 (last full week in May)
Older Americans Mental Health Week
Older Women’s League
www.owl–national.org
May 30
National Senior Health & Fitness Day
www.fitnessday.com
JUNE
Being safe is a part of living well. June is
a good month to take care of any safety
concerns at the home or office.
(June & July)
Fireworks Safety Months
National Council on Fireworks Safety
www.fireworksafety.com
National Home Safety Month
Home Safety Council
www.homesafetycouncil.org/homesafetymonth
National Great Outdoors Month
American Recreation Coalition
www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org
National Safety Month
National Safety Council
www.nsc.org
National Scleroderma Awareness Month
United Scleroderma Foundation, Inc.
www.scleroderma.org
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National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
June 1 – 7 (same each year)
National Headache Awareness Week
National Headache Foundation
www.headaches.org
June 1 (annually on June 1)
Stand for Children Day
www.stand.org
June 2 (first Saturday in June)
National Trails Day
American Hiking Society
www.americanhiking.org
June 3
National Cancer Survivors Day
National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation
www.ncsdf.org
June 5
World Environment Day
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
www.unep.org/wed
June 10 (Second Sunday in June)
National Children’s Day
www.nationalchildrensday.us
June 11 – 17 (ending with Father’s Day)
National Men’s Health Week
National Men’s Health Network
www.menshealthweek.org
June 14 (same date each year)
World Blood Donor Day
www.wbdd.org
June 27 (same date each year)
National HIV Testing Day
National Association of People With AIDS
www.napwa.org
JULY
Make plans to attend the National
Wellness Conference this month! Expand
your personal and professional wellness!
(June & July)
Fireworks Safety Months
National Council on Fireworks Safety
www.fireworksafety.com
Eye Injury Prevention Month
Federal Occupational Health
www.foh.dhhs.gov/Public/NYCU/eyeinjury.asp
UV Safety Month
American Academy of Ophthalmology
www.aao.org
July 9 – 15 (second week in July)
National Therapeutic Recreation Week
NTRS - Branch of the National Park and Recreation
Association
www.nrpa.org
July 17 – 23
Every Body Deserves a Massage Week
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
www.abmp.com
AUGUST
When possible, try a walking meeting at
work. The ideas will flow better once you
get your blood pumping!
Cataract Awareness Month
American Academy of Ophthalmology
www.aao.org
Medic Alert Awareness Month
www.medicalert.org
National Immunization Awareness Month
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
www.cdc.gov/vaccines
©National Wellness Institute, Inc.
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National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
August 1 – 7
World Breastfeeding Week
La Leche League International
www.llli.org/
August 6 – 10 (second week in August)
National Health Center Week
National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc.
www.healthcenterweek.com
August 7
National Night Out
America’s Night Out Against Crime
www.nationalnightout.org/nno/about.html
August 9
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
Dag Hammarskjöld Library
United Nations
www.un.org/depts/dhl/indigenous
SEPTEMBER
Don’t miss out on the abundance of
fresh, local, organic produce at your local
farmers’ market this month!
Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk (Fall Weekend)
Dates vary depending location. Contact your local
Alzheimer’s Association or visit
www.alz.org
America on the Move – Month of Action
American on the Move Foundation
STEPtember, a month-long celebration inviting people to
become more active and eat more healthfully (2010 new)
www.americaonthemove.org
Baby Safety Awareness Month
Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association
www.jpma.org
Healthy Aging Month
Healthy Aging, Educational Television Network, Inc.
www.helahtyaging.net
BioDiversity Month
Dept. of the Environment and Heritage Australia
www.enviornment.gov.au/biodiversity
Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Prevent Blindness America
www.preventblindness.org
Fruit & Veggie Month
Fruits & Veggies More Matters
www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov
www.movingtothefuture.org
Healthy Aging™ Month
Healthy Aging Campaign
Educational Television Network, Inc.
www.healthyaging.net
Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America
www.leukemia–lymphoma.org
National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA)
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
www.recoverymonth.gov
National Cholesterol Education Awareness Month
National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
hp2010.nhlbihin.net/cholmonth
National Food Safety Education Month
International Food Safety Council
National Restaurant Association
www.servsafe.com
Educational Foundation International Food Safety Council
www.foodsafety.gov
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Inc.
www.ovarian.org
National Menopause Awareness Month
North American Menopause Society
www.menopause.org
National Pain Awareness Month
American Pain Foundation
www.painfoundation.org
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National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
National Preparedness Month
Cosponsored by American Red Cross
www.redcross.org and
U.S. Dept of Homeland Security
www.ready.gov
National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.
www.sicklecelldisease.org
National Yoga Month
Yoga Health Foundation
www.yogamonth.org
Prostate Health Month
National Prostate Cancer Coalition
www.menshealthnetwork.org
Sports and Home Eye Safety Month
Prevent Blindness America
www.preventblindness.org
Whole Grains Month
The Whole Grains Council
www.wholegrainscouncil.org/get-involved/celebratewhole-
grains-month-in-september
September 1 – 7 (same date annually)
National Childhood Injury Prevention Week
The American Academy of Pediatrics
www.aap.org/healthtopics/safety.cfm
Safe Kids Worldwide
www.pcaw.com
September 3 – 7 (first full week in September)
Suicide Prevention Week
American Association of Suicidology
www.suicidology.org
September 7 – 13
National Assisted Living Week
National Center for Assisted Living
www.nalw.org
September 7 (annually Sept. 7)
National Threatened Species Day
U.S. Headquarters
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
www.worldwildlife.org
September 11
National Day of Service and Remembrance
www. 911day.org/
September 16-22
National Rehabilitation Week
National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation
www.nraf–rehabnet.org/
September 16-22
National Farm Safety and Health Week
National Educational Center for Agricultural Safety
www.nsc.org/necas
September 19 – 25 (last full week)
Active Aging Week
International Council on Active Aging
www.icaa.cc
September 20 (third Tuesday)
Take A Loved One to the Doctor Day
National Health Information Center
www.healthfinder.gov/orgs
September 19 (third Wednesday)
Backpack Awareness Day
The American Occupational Therapy Association
www.aota.org
September 21 (Sept. 21 annually)
International Day of Peace
United Nations
www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/
September 29 (last Saturday)
Family Health and Fitness Day USA
Health Information Resource Center
www.fitnessday.com/family
September 26 (last Wednesday)
National Women’s Health & Fitness Day
Health Information Resource Center
www.fitnessday.com/women
September 29 (last Saturday)
National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day
www.publiclandsday.org
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National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
OCTOBER
Get outside and enjoy the beautiful fall
colors this month! Get your heart rate up
by raking all those leaves by hand!
Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk (Fall Weekend)
Dates vary depending location. Contact your local
Alzheimer’s Association or visit
www.alz.org
American Heart Walk
Dates vary depending on your location.
American Heart Association
www.heartwalk.org
Auto Battery Safety Month
Prevent Blindness America
www.preventblindness.org
Eat Better, Eat Together Month
Washington State University
nutrition.wsu.edu/ebet/
Children’s Health Month
Office of Children’s Health Protection
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/chm-home.htm
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Resource Center for Domestic Violence
dvam.vawnet.org
Health Literacy Month
Health Literacy Consulting
www.healthliteracymonth.org
Healthy Babies Month
March of Dimes/Birth Defects Foundation
www.marchofdimes.com
Healthy Lung Month
American Lung Association
www.lungusa.org
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
www.nbcam.org or
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
www.komen.org
National Chiropractic Month
American Chiropractic Association
www.acatoday.org/NCHM
National Crime Prevention Month
National Crime Prevention Council
www.ncpc.org
National Dental Hygiene Month
American Dental Hygienists Association
www.adha.org/ndhm
National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month
Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
www.mentalhealthscreening.org
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
U.S. Dept. of Labor
www.dol.gov/
National Family Sexuality Education Month
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
www.plannedparenthood.org/
National Liver Awareness Month
American Liver Foundation
www.liverfoundation.org
National Physical Therapy Month
American Physical Therapy Association
www.apta.org
National Spina Bifida Month
Spina Bifida Association of America
www.sbaa.org
National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Awareness Month
SIDS Alliance
www.sidsalliance.org
National UNICEF Month: Trick–or–Treat for UNICEF.
National Office of the US Fund for UNICEF
www.unicefusa.org
National Work and Family Month
Alliance for Work–Life Progress
www.awlp.org
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National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
Talk About Prescriptions Month
National Council on Patient Information and Education
www.talkaboutrx.org
Vegetarian Awareness Month
North American Vegetarian Society
www.worldvegetarianday.org
October 1 (annually same date)
International Day of Older Persons
http://www.un.org/en/events/olderpersonsday
October 1 (first Monday in October)
Child Health Day
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
mchb.hrsa.gov
October 1 (first Monday in October)
World Habitat Day
UN Habitat
www.unhabitat.org/
October 3
International Walk–to–School Day
National Center for Safe Routes to School
www.walktoschool.org
October 7 – 13
National Mental Illness Awareness Week
American Psychiatric Association
www.healthyminds.org
NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.nami.org/miaw
October 7 – 13 (Week including October 9 – Chicago Fire)
National Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Protection Association
www.nfpa.org
October 14 – 20 (second full week)
National School Lunch Week
School Nutrition Association
www.schoolnutrition.org
October 10 (always October 10)
World Mental Health Day
World Federation for Mental Health
www.wfmh.org
October 10 (always October 10)
Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day
The Transportation and Development Institute of the
American Society of Civil Engineers (T&DI)
www.brakesonfatalities.org
October 21 – 27 (third week)
International Infection Prevention Week
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and
Epidemiology, Inc.
www.apic.org
October 21-27 (third week)
National Health Education Week
Society for Public Health Education
www.sophe.org
October 21-27 (third week)
National Healthcare Quality Week
National Association for Healthcare Quality
www.nahq.org/
October 21-27 (third week)
Make Your Mark Week
(formerly Kids Care Week)
GenerationOn Kids Care Clubs
www.kidscare.org/about/kidsCareWeek
October 16 (always Oct 16)
World Food Day
National Committee for World Food Day
www.worldfooddayusa.org
October 17 (always October 17)
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
United Nations
www.un.org/depts/dhl/poverty
October 20 (same date annually)
World Osteoporosis Day
International Osteoporosis Foundation
www.worldosteoporosisday.org
October 19 (always third Fri in Oct)
National Mammography Day
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org or
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
www.komen.org
©National Wellness Institute, Inc.
NationalWellness.org
13
National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
October 27 (fourth Sat in Oct)
Make a Difference Day
(celebrating people helping people)
www.makeadifferenceday.com
October 21 – 27 (fourth week)
National Consultant & Senior Care Pharmacists Week
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
www.ascp.com
October 21 – 27 (last full week Oct)
National Respiratory Care Week
American Association for Respiratory Care
www.aarc.org
October 23 – 31 (same dates annually)
National Red Ribbon Celebration/
National Plant the Promise Week
(Campaign to keep kids off drugs)
National Family Partnership at
www.nfp.org
October 24 (same date annually)
Take Back Your Time Day
The Simplicity Forum
www.timeday.org/
October 26 (Wed of last week)
Lung Health Day
American Association for Respiratory Care
www.aarc.org
NOVEMBER
For many, quitting smoking can be a long
struggle. Continue to be supportive long
after that last puff.
American Diabetes Month
American Diabetes Association
www.diabetes.org
Native American Heritage Month
Indian Health Service (HQ)
www.ihs.gov/index.cfm
nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/
Diabetic Eye Disease Month
Prevent Blindness America
www.preventblindness.org
Great American Smokeout Month
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association
www.alz.org
National Child Mental Health Month
c/o New York University Child Study Center
www.aboutourkids.org
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
Epilepsy Foundation of America
www.efa.org
National Family Caregivers Month
National Family Caregivers Association
www.nfcacares.org
National Healthy Skin Month
American Academy of Dermatology
www.aad.org
National Home Care Month
National Association for Home Care & Hospice
www.nahc.org
National Hospice Month
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
www.nhpco.org
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
www.pancan.org
Prematurity Awareness Month
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
www.marchofdimes.com
November 11 – 17 (week before Thanksgiving)
American Education Week
National Education Association
www.nea.org
©National Wellness Institute, Inc.
NationalWellness.org
14
National Wellness Institute’s
2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
November 13
World Kindness Day
www.worldkindness.org.sg
November 14 (always Nov 14)
World Diabetes Day
International Diabetes Federation
www.worlddiabetesday.org
November 15 (always Nov 15)
National Philanthropy Day
Association of Fundraising Professionals
www.NationalPhilanthropyDay.net
November 15 (always Nov 15)
America Recycles Day
National Recycling Coalition, Inc.
www.americarecyclesday.org
November 15 (third Thursday)
Great American Smokeout
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
November 17
International Survivors of Suicide Day
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
www.afsp.org/survivorday
November 22 – January 1
Tie One On For Safety Campaign
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
www.madd.org
November 22 (always Thanksgiving Day)
National Family Health History Day
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
www.hhs.gov/familyhistory/
DECEMBER
Wellness and health goals can easily be
derailed during the holidays. Plan ahead
to stay on track and avoid excess.
International AIDS Awareness Month
International HIV/AIDS Alliance
www.aidsalliance.org/
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention (3D)
Month
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
www.stopimpareddriving.org
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Prevent Blindness America
www.preventblindness.org
December 1 (annually)
World AIDS Day
World AIDS Campaign
www.worldaidscampaign.org
December 2 – 8 (First full week of Dec)
Aplastic Anemia amd MDS Week
Aplastic Anemia and MDS Internl, Inc.
www.aamds.org
December 2 – 8 (First full week of Dec)
National Hand Washing
Awareness Week
Henry the Hand Foundation
www.henrythehand.com
December 4 – 10
National Influenza Vaccination Week
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw/
December 5
International Volunteer Day
United Nations Volunteers
www.unv.org
www.worldvolunteerweb.org
December 10 (annually)
Human Rights Day
United Nations Human Rights
www.ohchr.org
NWI 2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar
published by:
National Wellness Institute, Inc.
PO Box 827, Stevens Point, WI 54481–0827
715.342.2969
nwi@nationalwellness.org • www.nationalwellness.org
Information is published as a service and NWI may not be
held responsible for misprints, changes in dates, or general
errors in processing.
Last updated: Oct 4, 2012