Alcohol Awareness Month – sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence since 1987, encourages local communities to focus on alcoholism and alcohol-related issues. It began as a way of reaching the American public with information about the disease of alcoholism – that it is a treatable disease, not a moral weakness, and that alcoholics are capable of recovery. Thursday April 5 is National Alcohol Screening Day
Autism Awareness Month – the Autism Society of America (ASA) and its network of nearly 200 local chapters across the nation are preparing to increase autism awareness throughout the month. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.
Cancer Control Month – Better diagnostic tools and treatments mean that there are about 10 million cancer survivors in the U.S. But cancer is still the second leading cause of death, and some cancers, such as breast, prostate, lung, leukemia, and melanoma, continue to be too prevalent. Cancer Control Month seeks to increase public awareness and encourage people to take appropriate steps to protect themselves. The week of April 15-21 is Minority Cancer Awareness Week. This week of heightened awareness was founded because African Americans and other minorities have higher cancer incidence and deaths than white Americans. Many researchers attribute this difference to preventable factors such as less access to prevention and treatment, language and cultural barriers, and lack of insurance.
Child Abuse Prevention Month – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect offers a comprehensive prevention resource packet to support a wide range of service providers who work with parents, other caregivers, and their children with the common goal of promoting healthy families.
Infants Immunization Week – April 21-28, 2007 – an annual observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to focus on the importance of immunizing infants against vaccine-preventable diseases by age two.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month – worldwide prevalence of IBS is estimated at 9% to 23%. Because many people remain undiagnosed and unaware that their symptoms indicate a medically recognized disorder, the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) devotes the month to health messages about IBS diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life issues.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month – each April the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) coordinates national activities to raise awareness about and prevent sexual violence against women. NSVRC offers a toolkit, resources, and links to statewide activities and resources.
Other April observances
- Counseling Awareness Month
- Donate Life Month
- Occupational Therapy Month
- STD Awareness Month
- Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month
- Youth Sports Safety Month