Salt Awareness Week aims to increase knowledge about salt’s impact on health. The theme for 2022 is: Shake the Habit! designed to focus on the food industry and encourage them to reduce the amount of salt added to food products.

The UK introduced a salt reduction model which has in turn inspired the world to also adopt salt reduction policy and strategies. More than 90 countries now have some form of salt reduction policy in place.

For more information, visit: https://www.worldactiononsalt.com/awarenessweek/

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. The primary role of your kidneys is to remove waste and excess water from your blood. Kidneys also help to control blood pressure, produce red blood cells and keep bones healthy.

The theme for 2022 is: Kidney Health for All – Bridge the gap to better kidney care with a focus on a persistent and ongoing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) knowledge gap.

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/about/world-kidney-day/ and https://www.worldkidneyday.org/2022-campaign/2022-wkd-theme/

Clean Up Australia Day provides an opportunity to inspire communities and encourage combined action to clean up, fix up and conserve the environment. This event aims to encourage all Australians to take to their local park, beach, bushland or streets and help collect rubbish.

Over a million Aussies step up to clean up every year, donating their time to improve the environment.

Get involved with Clean Up Australia Day by:

• Organising your own clean up event
• Making a donation
• Volunteering your time
• Spreading awareness of Clean Up Australia Day

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

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

The theme for 2022 is: To hear for life, listen with care! with a focus on the importance and means of hearing loss prevention through safe listening, with the following key messages:

• It is possible to have good hearing across the life course through ear and hearing care​
• Many common causes of hearing loss can be prevented, such as loss caused by exposure to loud sounds​
• ‘Safe listening’ can mitigate the risk of hearing loss associated with recreational sound exposure​

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.who.int/campaigns/world-hearing-day/2022 and https://www.deafnessforum.org.au/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

International Asperger’s Day aims to highlight the significance of Asperger’s Syndrome for both society and individuals. Asperger’s Syndrome falls within the Autism Spectrum, a key difference is that people with Asperger’s Syndrome typically do not experience a delay in language development. People on the spectrum often find it difficult to read and reciprocate social signals such as body language, facial expressions, and eye contact. As a result, they may find it hard to communicate and interact with others.

Asperger Services Australia promote International Asperger’s Day. Asperger Services Australia offer information and support relating to Asperger’s Syndrome inlcuding peer support groups, life skill programs, and peer mentoring.

Get involved with International Asperger’s Day by:

• Raising awareness in the community or on social media
• Volunteering with Asperger Services Australia
• Making a donation
• Becoming a member with the organisation

For more information, visit:
https://www.asperger.asn.au/

Sweetheart Day is an annual event held on 14 February each year. It is also known as International Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day. The day is designed to raise awareness and funds to support babies born each day with heart defects.

Despite being a serious life-threatening condition, over 65,000 Australian babies, children and adults are currently living with CHD, yet they continue to face unique challenges for the rest of their lives, including repeated heart surgeries and ongoing medical treatment.

Get involved this February by:

• Organising a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Making a donation to help HeartKids reach their goal

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