Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity.

Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into communities. This week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

There are some fascinating statistics about Australia’s diversity that can be good conversation-starters:

• Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was
• We identify with over 300 ancestries
• Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia
• 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia
• Apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi
• More than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.

Everyone can get involved this March by:

• Communicating the importance of cultural diversity
• Encouraging the values of respect, equality and freedom
• Promoting harmony in the workplace, at home and in schools

For more information, visit: https://www.harmony.gov.au/

Coeliac Awareness Week aims to spread awareness about coeliac disease, especially to reach undiagnosed Australians and help them identify the symptoms and take steps towards diagnosis and treatment.

Coeliac disease affects on average approximately 1 in 70 Australians. However, around 80% of this number remain undiagnosed.

In people with coeliac disease, the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats), causing small bowel damage. Coeliac disease can develop at any age and affects both men and women.

Get involved Coeliac Awareness Week by:

• Reading online resources and learning more about coeliac disease
• Spreading awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Making a donation

For more information, visit: https://www.coeliac.org.au/s/coeliac-disease/coeliac-awareness-week

World Kidney Day is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys.
World Kidney Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. 

The theme for 2023 is -Kidney Health for All– Preparing for the unexpected, supporting the vulnerable

Get involved with World Kidney Day by:

• Raising awareness of World Kidney Day
• Learning about your kidneys and lifestyle habits to help promote kidney health
• Educating friends and family about the importance of kidney health

For more information, visit:https://www.worldkidneyday.org/facts/chronic-kidney-disease/

THEME FOR 2023 WOMEN’S DAY IS :

DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality

This theme focuses on how technology and education in the digital age can help the empowerment of women and girls across the world.

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

World Hearing Day raises awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss, and to promote ear and hearing care across the world. Globally more than 1.5 billion people experience some degree of hearing loss and if unaddressed, hearing loss can negatively impact many aspects of life

World Hearing Day aims to:

• Promote public health actions for ear and hearing care
• Stimulate intersectoral partnership for ear and hearing care
• Raise awareness on hearing loss and care at national and community levels across the world
• Encourage behaviour change towards healthy EHC practices.

Get involved with World Hearing Day by:

• Speading awareness about hearing loss
• Hosting an event or organising a fundraiser
• Spreading awareness about World Hearing Day on social media

For more information, visit
https://www.deafnessforum.org.au/events/world-hearing-day/

March into Yellow is a campaign designed to raise awareness for women with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common disease in which the tissue that is similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body. Wear yellow in March to demonstrate support for those living with endometriosis and as an opportunity to start conversations about March into Yellow.

Over 830,000 Australians have endometriosis and diagnosis can take up to 6.5 years.

Get involved with March into Yellow by:

• Spreading awareness on social media using #MarchintoYellow #endoaustralia
• Educating family and friends of the cause
• Making a donation to Endometriosis Australia
• Volunteering with an Endometriosis Australia event

For more information, visit: https://www.marchintoyellow.org.au/

A disease is considered rare when it affects fewer than 1 in 2000 people. Rare Disease Day is a globally-coordinated movement, working towards equity in social opportunity, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for people living with a rare disease. Raising awareness and generating change for the 300 million people worldwide living with a rare disease, their families and carers.

Those living with a rare disease face many challenges, including:

• Difficulties in access to treatment and care, often resulting in heavy social and financial burdens on patients.
• A lack of scientific knowledge and quality information on the disease, often resulting in delays in diagnosis.
• Instances of misdiagnosis.

Get involved with Rare Disease Day by:

• Spreading awareness of the event
• Making a donation
• Joining or hosting a local event

For more information, visit:
https://www.rarediseaseday.org/what-is-a-rare-disease/

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers—having a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years allows for early prevention and detection. Since the National Screening Program began in 1991, incidence and death from cervical cancer has halved in Australia.

A Cervical Screening Test prevents cervical cancer by detecting the human papillomavirus (HPV). Screening identifies women at risk of eventually developing cervical cancer, so they can be monitored and treated accordingly.

Call Waitara Family Medical Practice Reception on 02 8038 1070 to book a suitable time with the GP.

For more information about cervical screening, visit: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/screening-and-early-detection/cervical-screening

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, held each year to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, to share the stories of real women affected by the disease, to highlight the risk factors for ovarian cancer and educate Australians on ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Ovarian cancer is a disease where some of the cells in one or both ovaries start to grow abnormally and develop into cancer. With no early detection test, it is so important that women know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and their family history. The most commonly reported symptoms according to Ovarian Cancer Australia can include:

• Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating
• Abdominal or pelvic (lower tummy) pain
• Feeling full after eating a small amount
• Needing to urinate often or urgently

Get involved with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this February by:

• Educating yourself and spreading awareness about ovarian cancer
• Making a donation or purchasing merchandise to raise funds
• Volunteering or organising a fundraising campaign
• Speaking with your GP if you have any questions

For more information, visit: https://www.ovariancancer.net.au/page/155/ovarian-cancer-awareness-month

World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday in January to raise awareness of a disease that many people believe to be extinct. A key goal of World Leprosy Day is to increase public understanding of Hansen’s disease and tackle the social stigma attached to this completely curable disease.

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease. Leprosy is curable, and treatment in the early stages can prevent disability. Education and improving access to basic health services for all are keys to successful elimination of stigma and disability associated with the illness.

Get involved with World Leprosy Day by:
Educating yourself and others about Hansen’s disease and sharing that leprosy is a curable illness.
Helping depict a positive image of leprosy and increase awareness about it in your community.
Getting involved in World Leprosy Day activities.

For more information, visit: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/world-leprosy-day https://www.cdc.gov/leprosy/world-leprosy-day/index.html