FEBRUARY 2025 – National Health Observances

HEALTH EQUITY is when everyone has the OPPORTUNITY
to be as healthy (SPIRITUALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND MENTALLY) as possible.



How to Stop Walking Hunched Over (Ages 60+)

***(PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN FIRST, BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY OF THESE EXERCISES OR ADVICE)***


MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGING RESOURCES


NOROVIRUS


2022 MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK


COVID-19:  Guidance For Your Community 


COVID-19:  Vaccines and Boosters


COVID-19:  Coronavirus The Disease 2022  


Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) 


Influenza (FLU)


Shots & Vaccines


Medical Screening Tests



American Heart Month – American Heart Association

During American Heart Month, thousands of American Heart Association volunteers raise awareness about and raise funds to fight cardiovascular disease, our number one killer. A federally designated event for more than half a century, American Heart Month reminds people to focus on their hearts and encourages them to get their families, friends, and communities involved.

Social: @americanheart, @American_Heart, @GoRedforWomen | #HeartMonth

For more information, contact: Communications Department | American Heart Association | 1.800.AHA.USA1 | [email protected]

For more information, visit: www.heart.org


Wise Healthcare Consumer Month

Wise Healthcare Consumer Month is an effort to encourage patients to make wise decisions and to engage in better, more open dialogue with their doctors.

For more information, contact: Hope Lawless | American Institute for Preventive Medicine | 248-539-1800 | [email protected]

For more information, visit: www.healthylife.com


Kids ENT Month – American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

National health statistics reveal that pediatric ear, nose, and throat disorders remain among the primary reasons children visit a physician, with ear infections ranking as the number one reason for an appointment.

Social: @aaohns

For more information, visit: entnet.org/KidsENT


American Academy of Ophthalmology

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among older Americans, but new treatments have dramatically changed the course of this disease over the last 10 years, making AMD more manageable than ever before.

For more information, visit: www.aao.org


National Children’s Dental Health Month – American Dental Association

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.

For more information, contact: American Dental Association | 800-621-8099 | [email protected]

For more information, visit: www.ada.org/resources/community-initiatives/national-childrens-dental-health-month


National Condom Month – American Sexual Health Association

If one of Cupid’s arrows finds its way to you this month (or any other time), the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) wants you to be safe. Each year in the United States, there are approximately 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are inexpensive and reduce the risks for STIs.

Social: @infoASHA | #CondomMonth

For more information, contact: American Sexual Health Association | 919-361-8400 | [email protected]

For more information, visit: www.ashasexualhealth.org/national-condom-month


Recreational Therapy Month – American Therapeutic Recreation Association

The purpose of National Recreational Therapy Month is to enhance public awareness of therapeutic recreation programs and recreational therapy services, promote inclusive recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and recognize certified therapeutic recreation therapists as the qualified provider of recreational therapy services.

For more information, visit: www.atra-online.com


Perianesthesia Nurse Awareness Week (February 2-8) – Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses

Perianesthesia Nurse Awareness Week (PANAW) provides the ideal opportunity to educate nursing colleagues and the community about the professionalism and passionate care that is delivered by perianesthesia nurses every day.

For more information, contact: Doug Hanisch | American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses | 856-616-9600 | [email protected]

For more information, visit: www.aspan.org/Education-Events/PANAW


Burn Awareness Week (February 3-9) – Hospitals for Children

Burn Awareness Week kicks off Shriners Hospitals for Children’s annual educational campaign to raise awareness of burn injuries and ways to prevent them. Free educational materials are available for firefighters, teachers, parents, and others concerned with the safety of children.

For more information, contact: Public Relations Department | Shriners Hospitals for Children | 813-281-8162 | [email protected]

For more information, visit: www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/patient-information/patient-services-and-resources/burn-awareness


National Wear Red Day (February 7) – American Heart Association

During American Heart Month, the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement works to save women’s lives and beat heart disease, the number one killer of women. On National Wear Red Day, support the movement by wearing red.

Social: @GoRedForWomen | #WearRedDay

For more information, visit: www.goredforwomen.org


National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (February 7) – HIV.gov

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is the oldest national HIV/AIDS awareness campaign designed and coordinated by a voluntary coalition of local and national organizations/agencies serving African Americans. The campaign has four major objectives: to increase testing for HIV; to improve community education about HIV/AIDS; to increase public advocacy of HIV prevention; and to elevate treatment levels, whether HIV positive or negative.

Social: @NatBlackAIDSDay | #NBHAAD

For more information, visit: www.hiv.gov/events/awareness-days/black


Sepsis Survivor Week (February 9-15) – Sepsis Alliance

As many as 60% of sepsis survivors are left not only with physical challenges but mental and emotional challenges too. During Sepsis Survivor Week, we partner with sepsis survivors to honor their experience by sharing their individual stories of survival and bringing awareness to the unseen mental, emotional, and physical challenges many survivors face every day.

Social: @SepsisAlliance | #SepsisAwareness, #SepsisSurvivorWeek2025, #SepsisSurvivor

For more information, contact: Alexandria Sadorf Colvin | Sepsis Alliance | 619-233-0300 | [email protected]

For more information, visit: sepsis.org


Cardiovascular Professionals Week (February 9 – 15) – Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals

Healthcare professionals continue to demonstrate that through teamwork, quality care can be delivered reliably and effectively. In no other specialty do we see this impact more acutely than in the cardiovascular arena. Cardiovascular professionals, specifically, have demonstrated an enormously compassionate commitment to delivering emergent and routine care for the most vulnerable and intensive populations in the health care system. Celebrate the week honoring those who care for the heart!

Social: @AllianceCVPros | #CVPWeek

For more information, contact: Peggy McElgunn | Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals | 804-639-9213 | [email protected]

For more information, visit: acp-online.org


National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week (February 9-15) – American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)

National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week focuses attention on cardiac rehabilitation’s contribution to improving the health and physical performance of people at risk for heart disease as well as those who have been diagnosed with heart disease or dysfunction. We call attention to the role of cardiac rehabilitation in reducing the devastating effects of heart disease. Special events will be held in hospitals, exercise facilities, and outpatient rehabilitation centers throughout the country.

Social: @AACVPR

For more information, contact: Andrew Miller | American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) | 312-321-5146 | [email protected][email protected]

For more information, visit: aacvpr.org


Phlebotomists Recognition Week (February 10-14) – American Medical Technologists

Established in 2019 by the American Medical Technologists (AMT), Phlebotomists Recognition Week recognizes and celebrates phlebotomists’ vital role in maintaining patient health and promoting lab efficiency and effectiveness.

Social: #AMTPHLEBOTOMISTSWEEK

For more information, contact: Cathie Casey | American Medical Technologists | 847-823-5169 | [email protected]

For more information, visit: americanmedtech.org/Members/Member-Support/Recognition-Weeks


World Day of the Sick (February 11) – National Association of Catholic Chaplains

An observation introduced by Pope John Paul II as a way for Catholics to offer prayers for those suffering from illnesses. The day coincides with the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Social: #ChooseChaplaincy

For more information, contact: Erica Cohen Moore | National Association of Catholic Chaplains | 414-483-4898 | [email protected]

For more information, visit: nacc.org/resources/world-day-of-the-sick


National Donor Day (February 14) – Donate Life America

Observed every year on February 14th, National Donor Day is an observance dedicated to spreading awareness and education about organ, eye, and tissue donation. By educating and sharing the Donate Life message, we can each take small steps every day to help.

Social: #GotHeart

For more information, contact: Jocelyn Reed | Donate Life America | 804-377-3580 | [email protected][email protected]

For more information, visit: DonateLife.net


Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Staff Education Week (February 14 – 21) – National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners

The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners recognizes the importance of continued staff training. In honor of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Staff Education Week, the NCCDP makes available complimentary staff in-services.

For more information, contact: Patrick Smith | National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners | [email protected]

For more information, visit: nccdp.org


National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 24 – 28) – National Eating Disorders Association

National Eating Disorders Awareness (NEDAwareness) Week puts the spotlight on the seriousness of eating disorders in an effort to improve public understanding of their causes, triggers, and treatments. By increasing awareness and access to resources, we can encourage early detection and intervention, which can improve the likelihood of full recovery for millions.

Social: @NEDA_staff | #NEDAwareness, #EDAW

For more information, contact: Program Department | National Eating Disorders Association | 212-575-6200 x309 | [email protected]

For more information, visit: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org



compliments of odphp.health.gov/; healthfinder.gov; hrbanana.com, clinicaladvisor.com and www.cdc.gov , SHSMD.org
(please reference these sites for additional information)


“Source: National Health Observances, National Health Information Center, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.”



19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)


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