November kicks off the holiday season, a great time for your wellness campaigns to be focusing on stress management, healthy eating and holiday nutrition. Here are some of the national health observances for November along with links to tool kits and resources to help you jump-start your communications.
American Diabetes Month
“Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. If it’s not controlled, diabetes can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems.
One in 12 Americans has diabetes – that’s more than 25 million people. And another 79 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The good news? People who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes can lower their risk by more than half if they make healthy changes. These changes include: eating healthy, increasing physical activity, and losing weight.” Use the toolkit at the healthfinder.gov link above to find tools for communicating with your employees.
National Family Caregivers Month – The Nation’s 90 million family caregivers are front and center in providing care every day – enabling their loved ones to stay at home longer where they are happier and healthier. During National Family Caregivers Month, the valuable role that family caregivers play is emphasized in this year’s theme: Care Comes Home.
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month – Pancreatic Cancer Action says that the 5 year survival rates for pancreatic cancer have not changed in over 40 years. They focus on educating the public and increasing awareness to improve early diagnosis. Learn more about the symptoms and understand the risk.
COPD Awareness month – While an estimated 24 million Americans suffer from COPD, as many of half remain undiagnosed. But, with early diagnosis and treatment people with COPD can improve their quality of life and begin to breathe a little easier. For tools and infographics, see the 2013 toolkit by the National Institute of Health as well as resources from the American Lung Association.
Movember – The Movember Foundation challenges men to grow moustaches during Movember (formerly known as November), to spark conversation and raise vital funds for its men’s health programs. This work is saving and improving the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems.
More November Health Observances
Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
Epilepsy Awareness Month
November 6 – National Eating Healthy Day
November 14 – World Diabetes Day
November 7-23 – Don’t Text & Drive
November 20 – Great American Smokeout – see also: Is your state helping smokers quit?
Looking for the most comprehensive and effective wellness program for your employees? ESI TotalCare Wellness pairs Behavioral Health Clinicians with certified Wellness Coaches to provide employees and their families with the help, motivation, tools and support to make changes and improve their lives. Call 800-535-4841 for more information.