Kick off your summer with our pick of key July dates and observances. We’ve included links to helpful resources from event sponsors or topical experts. Some links include tool kits with social media messages and graphics that could be used in newsletters, intranets, or other employee communications,
July 4, Independence Day – This important national holiday launches the summer. It’s a big day for beach, barbecues, and backyard gatherings, but we linked to the Library of Congress to highlight the true meaning of the day with some historical context. In terms of celebrations, AAA projects that a record-setting 71 million people will travel Independence Day week. That includes 60.6 million people will travel by car, an additional 2.8 million travelers compared to last year, and 5.74 million will travel by air, another record. AAA also offers good travel tips, including their estimates of the best and worst times to travel, top destinations and a family road trip checklist. Two important safety notes related to July 4:
- As one of the heaviest driving times of the year, the National Safety Council estimates that nearly 600 lives could be lost to road crashes over the July 4 weekend.. They offer road trip safety and prevention tips.
- Another source of injuries over the holiday is related to fireworks. June 28-July 4 is Fireworks Safety Awareness Week. The National Consumer Product Safety Commission offers a fireworks safety fact sheet with statistics, safety tips, and a shareable infographic.
Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month – July’s commemoration of Minority Mental Health is named after Bebe Moore Campbell, who was an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate who worked to shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community and other underrepresented communities. In talking about why this month is important, Mental Health America (MHA) says: “Culture, ethnicity, and race all play a role in the way that each person experiences the world. These factors, among others, have profound effects on mental health, especially for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). MHA’s BIPOC Mental Health Resource Center helps you learn more about the strengths and challenges communities of color face when it comes to mental well-being and mental health care.”
MHA has created new resources in a toolkit, including where and how to get help, social media messages and graphics. It also offers new features on:
- Sharing generational wisdom
- BIPOC mental health myth-busting
- Breaking down mental health stigma in BIPOC communities
- How to cope when your community is under attack
Park and Recreation Month – The National Park & Recreation Association has sponsored this month for nearly 40 years, This year’s theme — “Where You Belong” — celebrates “the many ways park and recreation professionals across the country foster a sense of belonging in their community by providing welcoming and inclusive programs, essential services for all ages and abilities, and safe, accessible spaces to build meaningful connections.” Check out their toolkit with fact sheets, social media posts, and more.
Don’t forget about our wonderful network of national parks and state parks!
UV Awareness Month – Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. If you have skin cancer, it is important to know which type of skin cancer you have because it affects your treatment options and your outlook (prognosis). Take the Skin Cancer Quiz to learn more. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends that the public Practice Safe Sun year-round by following three simple steps while outdoors: 1. Seek shade when appropriate. 2. Wear sun-protective clothing 3. Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. They offer information on what to wear to protect your skin from the sun and how to decode sunscreen labels. Also, the EPA’s UV Index provides a daily forecast of the expected intensity of UV radiation from the sun that you can search by location.
Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month – The Arthritis Foundation says, “Juvenile arthritis refers to rheumatic diseases in children aged 16 and younger. These diseases are not just adult diseases in children; they have many distinctions and are treated differently than in adults. The most common is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (previously known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), and they include juvenile psoriatic arthritis, pediatric lupus and a number of others.”
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common type of chronic, or long-lasting, arthritis that affects children. It happens when the immune system attacks healthy joint tissues. JIA may last a few months or years, or it may be a lifelong disease. JIA broadly refers to several different chronic disorders involving inflammation of joints (arthritis), which can cause: Joint pain, swelling, warmth, stiffness, and loss of motion.
ESI EAP Member Website theme for the month of July
In July, our employee members’ feature webinar is Household and Individual Budgeting. This webinar will discuss how to manage money and budget daily or annually. It will cover principles, such as the importance of living within one’s means, the value of a budget, and creating a safety & security account. Members can simply log in to www.theEAP.com during July to view the webinar and explore related resources.
Other key July dates & events:
- Healthy Vision Month
- Sarcoma Awareness Month
- International GBS Awareness Month!
- National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month
- Dry Eye Awareness Month
- July 22 – World Brain Day
- July 25 – World Drowning Prevention Day
- July 26 – ADA 34th Anniversary
- July 28 – National Parents Day
- July 28 – World Hepatitis Day