NICU Awareness Month in November is a time to recognise the importance of Neonatal Intensive Care Units and their amazing staff around Australia. They offer specialised care and help make a difference to over 48,000 babies who are born prematurely or sick every year.
“132 babies are born each day requiring specialised care.”
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is running from the 18-24 November this year and aims to increase awareness of and response to global antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A central goal is to avoid the increase of drug-resistant infections by encouraging best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers. The theme this year is “Antimicrobials” handle with care”.
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites resist the effects of medications, making common infections more difficult to appropriately treat, which increase the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. One of the main objectives of WAAW is to increase awareness through appropriate communication, education and training.
To address antimicrobial resistance, the UN is currently:
Supporting countries with national action plan implementation
Raising education and awareness on antimicrobial resistance
Optimising use of antimicrobial medicines
Monitoring progress on antimicrobial resistance
Fostering international cooperation on antimicrobial resistance
Building capacity for infection prevention
Get involved this WAAW by raising awareness and educating friends and family on the importance of antimicrobial resistance.
This year White Ribbon Day falls on Friday 20th November and provides an opportunity to bring people together to raise awareness and commit to action to prevent men’s violence against women.
“On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner.”
White Ribbon Australia’s purpose includes:
Believing men have a role in preventing violence against women and engaging them in prevention is critical.
Providing prevention programs that engage men at the individual, community, and population level around prevention of violence against women.
Working towards materially decreasing rates of men’s violence against women.
World COPD Day is a worldwide campaign aimed at raising awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and improve COPD care throughout the world. The 2020 theme for World COPD Day will be “Living Well with COPD – Everybody. Everywhere”.
“Research shows that almost half (46%) of all Australians rarely or never think about their lung health.”
Awareness and investigation of new or ongoing respiratory symptoms, such as persistent cough, wheeze, or shortness of breath can lead to early diagnosis and treatments for a range of respiratory diseases. Awareness and understanding of the treatments prescribed is also important including the correct use of inhaled medications or ‘puffers’.
Tips to look after your lung health from the Lung Foundation Australia:
Make your life a smoke-free zone by quitting smoking and/or reducing your exposure to second-hand smoke.
Wear appropriate protective equipment if you work in environments that expose you to the inhalation of dust, gas, fumes or chemicals.
Protect yourself from influenza and pneumonia by having the vaccinations.
Exercise regularly and have a healthy diet.
Practice good hand hygiene to minimise the spread of germs.
With 2 in 3 Australians diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70, the action week is an important reminder of the risks of exposure to UV radiation, the need for sun protection and early skin cancer detection for all Australians.
Did you know:
More than 2,000 people in Australia die from skin cancer each year.
Cancer Council estimates that Australia spends more than $1 billion per year treating skin cancer.
Most skin cancers can be prevented by the use of good sun protection.
Despite many Australians referring to a “healthy tan”, a tan is not a sign of good health or well being. In fact, tanning is a sign that you have been exposed to enough UV radiation to damage your skin. This will eventually cause premature aging – including sun spots, wrinkles and sagging. Worst of all it increases your risk of skin cancer.
Make the pledge today to protect yourself from UV radiation and abstain from tanning.
During National Skin Cancer Action Week and throughout summer, use the five forms of sun protection by:
slip on sun-protective clothing
slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
slap on a broad-brimmed hat
seek shade
slide on sunglasses.
A combination of these measures, along with getting to know your skin and regularly checking for any changes, are the keys to reducing your skin cancer risk.
World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. WDD draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight.
“1 in 10 people are living with diabetes.”
This year, the theme of WDD is ‘Diabetes: Nurses make the difference’ and aim to raise awareness around the crucial role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes. As the number of people with diabetes continues to rise across the world, the role of nurses and other health professional support staff is becoming increasingly important in managing the impact of the condition.
Alopecia Areata Awareness Week is running from 14th to 22nd of November this year and aims to spread the word about Alopecia Areata, which is so often misunderstood. Alopecia Areata is an auto-immune disease that results in hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. It can range from small, individual smooth patches of hair loss, to total loss of all hair on the body – including ear and nose hair. It can effect people all ages, genders and ethnicity, but most commonly presents during childhood and there is currently no cure.
“Current estimates suggest that 2% of the population will be affected by the condition at some point in their lifetime.”
Alopecia Areata can be a lifelong condition, and can deeply affect self-image, self-esteem, confidence and even mental health. Through personal support, improved awareness, and ongoing research towards treatment, people living with Alopecia Areata and their families can feel supported.
Get involved this November by:
Volunteering with the organisation
Participating in events happening around Australia
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs which can be life-threatening for anyone, but particularly for children. World Pneumonia Day brings people from all over the world together to help highlight the severity of pneumonia and call for concrete action from governments and other stakeholders to reduce preventable deaths.
“Pneumonia is the single biggest killer of children: claiming almost 800,000 lives each year. That is almost two fatalities every minute of every day.”
Pneumonia is a preventable and treatable condition – prevention and treatment are essential elements in reducing child deaths globally. World Pneumonia Day is a chance to recognise that all children deserve access to clean air and water, lifesaving vaccines, and appropriate treatment of pneumonia.
World NET Cancer Day is celebrated on the 10th of November and aims to raise awareness of all types of Neuroendocrine cancers (NETs) and provide a voice for those affected by NETs. Neuroendocrine tumors is the umbrella term for a group of unusual cancers which develop from cells in the endocrine system.
There is an estimated 4,972 new cases of NETs diagnosed in 2020 throughout Australia.
NETs can affect individuals of any age, and can be slow-growing or very aggressive, which is why it is important to draw attention to this uncommon form of cancer and start a global conversation involving medical professionals, communities and governments.
PANDA Week is running from 8 – 14 November and aims to raise awareness about perinatal anxiety and depression, including signs to look for and where to go to seek support. This year the theme is ‘Tell someone who cares’ – with the goal of supporting expecting and new parents so they know they’re not alone and can reach out for help and receive support from those they confide in.
“Up to 1 in 10 women and 1 in 20 men struggle with antenatal depression. More than 1 in 7 new mums and up to 1 in 10 new dads experience postnatal depression.”
PANDA Week is about enabling people who face unique challenges in becoming parents to access the support they need for their mental wellbeing and provide the tools all expecting and new parents in order to successfully find support for their mental wellbeing.
Get involved this November by:
Encouraging open and honest conversations about the mental health of expecting and new parents in your community or workplace
Raising awareness on social media
Volunteering with the organisation
Hosting a PANDA event to raise funds or making a donation
