International Overdose Awareness Day was initiated in 2001 to understand and raise awareness for those individuals who have suffered from drug overdoses.

Since 2001, many community members as well as government and non-government organisations have held events to commemorate those who have been lost to drug overdose.

“New South Wales recorded the largest number of drug induced mortality in 2016 with 547 deaths”

To get involved:

• Organise your own fundraiser
• Make a donation
• Raise awareness on social media

For more information, visit: https://www.overdoseday.com/

In 2019, Speech Pathology Week is 25-31 August.

Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote the speech pathology profession and the work done by speech pathologists with  more than 1.1 million Australians who have a communication or swallowing disorder that impacts on their daily life.

Communication is a basic human right and Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote this fact.

Get involved this August by:

• Informing the community
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser

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

Daffodil Day is Cancer Council’s most iconic and much-loved annual campaign that raises life-saving funds for world-class cancer research.

It’s a time of hope; where we come together to show our support for the 145,000 Australians  diagnosed with cancer each year.

This August, join thousands of others across the country to:

• Raise funds
• Donate online or at a stall near you
• Volunteer
• Raise awareness on social media

August is Tradies National Health Month, and the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is raising awareness of the risks posed to those who work in trade occupations—among individuals, their families, employers and the wider community.

While there have been improvements, Australia’s trade industry continues to have among the highest health and safety issues of any sector. Time off work due to poor health and injury has a significant impact on families, businesses and communities. This impact will grow if we don’t take steps to change behaviour. Anyone can get behind Tradies National Health Month. 

Go to www.tradieshealth.com.au for more details about the launch event and social media competition for a range of great prizes.

Tradies’ health must be everyone’s priority—we’re giving all employers, physiotherapists, families and tradies the chance to be involved.

MS Readathon is a reading based fundraising program open to participants of ALL ages. Read through the month of August, get sponsored and make a difference! All funds raised go towards support and services provided for people living with MS, their families and carers while the search for a cure continues.        Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

“Approximately one in 3,000 Australians are affected by the disorder of multiple sclerosis.”

Get involved this August by:

• Being a part of the reading fundraiser
• Volunteering
• Donating to the foundation

For more information, visit: https://msreadathon.org.au/

Homeless Persons’ Week is an annual awareness raising week held in the first full week of August each year to highlight the over 105,000 Australians who are homeless on any given night.

Homelessness Australia provides information sheets and resources to support events all around Australia. This is an important opportunity to recognise the prevalent homelessness issue within the Australian community.

To get involved this August:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Inform the community by spreading information sheets
• Organise a fundraiser

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

World Breastfeeding Week is an initiative which aims to protect, promote and support breastfeeding as the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need.

“Breastfeeding is not only the cornerstone of a child’s healthy development; it is also the foundation of a country’s development.”

Get involved this August by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Educating the community
• Organising a fundraiser
• Donating to the foundation

For more information, visit: http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

Dental Health Week, which takes place this year in the first week of August, is the Australian Dental Association’s major annual oral health promotion event. Its aim is to educate Australians about the importance of maintaining good oral health by promoting the key messages of brushing daily and maintaining a healthy diet. This is a key issue in the Australian community as:

“65% of Australians haven’t seen a dentist in the last two years. “

Get involved this August by:

• Maintaining good oral care
• Visiting your dentist if needed
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community

For more information, visit: https://www.ada.org.au/Dental-Health-Week/Home

DonateLife Week is a key part of the Australian Government’s national reform program to increase organ and tissue donation and transplantation outcomes. Each year, events are held across Australia during DonateLife Week to encourage all Australians to register their donation decision and to discuss their donation decisions with their loved ones.

“More than 1,300 Australians are today on wait lists for a life-saving or life-transforming transplant.”

Get involved this August by:

• Registering for a donation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing family and friends

For more information, visit: http://www.donatelife.gov.au/donatelife-week

World Hepatitis Day 2019 is a campaign to raise awareness of chronic hepatitis A, B and C. On this day, the world joins together to drive action, to transform the lives of 300+ million people and to play a part in the fight to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.

“The elimination of viral hepatitis is not just a public health goal – it is an individual goal for millions of men, women and children across the world. Every single person could be affected by viral hepatitis and we all have a part to play to achieve elimination.”

Get involved this July by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Handing out promotional merchandise
• Creating a poster
• Volunteering
• Donating

For more information, visit: http://www.worldhepatitisday.org.au/