Starting this month, we will be highlighting selected health observances and other events from our calendar that we believe are important for public health, GIS, and other areas!
Our 2020 calendar of health observances features monthly, weekly, and daily health observances and other events such as conferences, webinars, and workshops. These events are sourced from US National Health Observances, WHO and United Nations observances, as well as directly from organizations themselves.
June’s selected monthly health observances highlight Alzheimer’s disease, men’s health, and injury prevention with weekly awareness observances about the hazards of rip currents, the importance of lightning safety, and the critical need for mosquito control. Daily observances honor cancer survivors and encourage people to seek HIV testing.
For a full listing of all June events, go to our June 2020 Events page!
Monthly
Worldwide, 50 million people are living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Join the Alzheimer's Association in going purple and raising awareness this June. The more people know about Alzheimer's, the more action we inspire. On June 20, 2020, the longest day of the year and summer solstice, thousands of people will join together to show their love for those affected by Alzheimer's disease. You can be one of them. Learn more about The Longest Day.
Anchored by a Congressional health education program, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and other health education and outreach activities. The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This month gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. Use your company’s liberal dress policy to celebrate Wear Blue Friday (June 19) the Friday before Father’s day.
Now, more than ever, safety is crucial both inside and outside the workplace, which is why the National Safety Council will still be recognizing National Safety Month® in June. Observed annually by NSC, the nation’s leading nonprofit safety advocate, National Safety Month focuses on saving lives and preventing injuries, from the workplace to anyplace. Given the current state of the world, the month will look a little different than past years. Instead of focusing on a single topic each week, we will provide real-time, relevant resources on a variety of topics for keeping workers safe in our new normal. Sign up now and the NSC will notify you when materials – on pressing topics from ergonomics to mental health – are ready.
Weekly
Rip Current Awareness Week (June 7 - 13)
Great weather for the beach does not always mean it's safe to swim or even play in the shallows. Rip currents often form on calm, sunny days. Tragically, WWE star Shad Gaspard recently passed away while his son survived when they were pulled to sea by a rip current. The Break the Grip of the Rip free online training will help you learn how to spot a rip current. What are scientists doing to keep swimmers safer? Find out in this video: Predict the Rip. It is also important to realize that the chances of drowning at a beach with lifeguards are 1 in 18 million (U.S. Lifesaving Association). So please only swim at a beach with lifeguards!
National Lightning Safety Awareness Week (June 21 - 27)
National Lightning Safety Awareness week was started in 2001 to call attention to this underrated killer. Since then, U.S. lightning fatalities have dropped from about 50 per year to about 30. This reduction in fatalities is largely due to greater awareness of the lightning danger, and people seeking safety when thunderstorms threaten. During National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, we encourage you to learn more about lightning and lightning safety and there are different topics each day to help you become more informed during the week.
National Mosquito Control Awareness Week (June 21 - 27)
Each year, the last week of June is declared National Mosquito Control Awareness Week by the American Mosquito Control Association. AMCA's "MosquitoWeek" educates the general public about the significance of mosquitoes in their daily lives and the important service provided by the mosquito control workers throughout the United States and worldwide. Some tools that you can use include their Scout Activity Program and AMCA’s Mosquito Prevention Fact Sheet
Daily
National Cancer Survivors Day (June 7)
National Cancer Survivors Day® is an annual, treasured Celebration of Life that is held in hundreds of communities nationwide, and around the world, on the first Sunday in June. It is a celebration for those who have survived, an inspiration for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of support for families, and an outreach to the community. It is also a day to draw attention to the ongoing challenges of cancer survivorship in order to promote more resources, research, and survivor-friendly legislation to improve cancer survivors’ quality of life. Anyone can host an NCSD event. Get started with our 7 simple steps to organizing a National Cancer Survivors Day® event in your community.
Learn more about this important day with a profile of our very own Franco Libunao, a brain cancer survivor, later this month.
National HIV Testing Day (June 27)
National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) was first observed on June 27, 1995. NHTD is a day to encourage people to get tested for HIV, know their status, and get linked to care and treatment. The HIV Testing Sites & Care Services Locator now includes PrEP and STI services and is more user friendly. Read about how the new Locator can help you serve your community.