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World Psoriasis Day – 29 October 2024

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp. Psoriasis is a common, long-term (chronic) disease with no cure. It can be painful, interfere with sleep and make it hard to concentrate.

Source: Text: Google

Psoriatic Disease and the Family

Living with the psoriatic disease can be tough for both the person affected and their family members. It’s important to recognize that the challenges don’t just impact the individual but also their family. Both the person with psoriatic disease and their family members deserve support. National policymakers must understand this to address their specific needs.

IFPA presents World Psoriasis Day. Each year, the global community unites to raise awareness and call for action in support of people living with psoriatic disease. World Psoriasis Day has been celebrated on October 29th for more than a decade. Today, World Psoriasis Day is observed in over 70 countries.

Psoriatic Disease and the Family

This year’s World Psoriasis Day 2024 theme is ‘Family”. Everyone navigating the challenges of psoriatic disease deserves unwavering support. This includes recognizing the challenges faced not only by the individual with psoriatic disease but also by their loved ones. As part of our commitment to raising awareness and understanding, we will create resources detailing the effects of psoriatic disease on the family economy, work life, social life, relationships, etc.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://ifpa-pso.com/world-psoriasis-day

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage – 27 October

Audiovisual archives tell us stories about people’s lives and cultures from all over the world. They represent a priceless heritage which is an affirmation of our collective memory and a valuable source of knowledge since they reflect the cultural, social and linguistic diversity of our communities. They help us grow and comprehend the world we all share. Conserving this heritage and ensuring it remains accessible to the public and future generations is a vital goal for all memory institutions as well as the public at large. The UNESCO Archives has launched the project « Digitizing our shared UNESCO history » with this very goal in mind.

The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage (WDAH) is a commemoration of the adoption, in 1980 by the 21st General Conference, of the Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images. The World Day provides an occasion to raise general awareness of the need to take urgent measures and to acknowledge the importance of audiovisual documents.

In this way, the World Day also serves as an opportunity for UNESCO’s Member States to evaluate their performance with respect to implementing the 2015 Recommendation Concerning the Preservation of, and Access to, Documentary Heritage, Including in Digital Form.

Source: Text & Image: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/audiovisual-heritage

World Post Day – 9 October 2024

World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October. The event was declared by the 1969 Universal Postal Congress in Tokyo as a means to mark the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) creation in 1874.

The purpose of World Post Day is to bring awareness to the Post’s role in the everyday lives of people and businesses, as well as its contribution to global social and economic development.

As a result, the UPU’s member countries are encouraged to organize their own national activities to celebrate the event, including everything from the introduction or promotion of new postal products and services, to the organization of open days at post offices, mail centres and postal museums.

To mark the 150th anniversary of the UPU, the World Post Day theme for 2024 is: « 150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations ».

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.upu.int/en/universal-postal-union/outreach-campaigns/world-post-day

20th Sunday of Year B – 2024

We are all familiar with the concept of the glass half full/half empty and the meaning attached to it.
This example is often used to describe the character of people –
those with a positive outlook and those with a more negative one!
We all know someone whose attitude is one of constant cheerful assessment of life situations.
While another one will constantly find fault with whatever happens…

This mental picture came to my mind as I read the last verse of the 2nd reading of today’s celebration (Ephesians 5:15-20).
Writing to the first Christians of Ephesus, the apostle Paul tells them:

“Always and everywhere give thanks to God”.

Reading, or hearing these words, some may think: ‘Well I don’t always have some reason to give thanks to God…’
A long litany of misfortunes, or unfulfilled desires, presents itself to the mind of the person thinking.
The person’s focus is on what is missing, what he wishes for and is lacking… the half-empty glass!

What is sad is that, often, such a reaction is one of blindness, or forgetfulness.
The memory of happy situations, joyful events, successful ventures, all this has been wiped out.
God’s many gifts are as if… they had never been received – they have passed unnoticed!
The recurring blessings of God, his daily assistance, his on-going protection, all this is perhaps… taken for granted…

We need to develop an attitude of awareness of all the good things that come our way, and be grateful to God.
We need to direct our sight, and our memory, to the positive, enjoyable, encouraging, aspects of life, and be refreshed by them.
After all, a glass that is half-full is NOT empty!

We will then be spontaneously led to be grateful to God “always and everywhere”.

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/20e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-2024/

 

Source: Images: unsplash.com (Joseph Greve)         https://www.scripture-images.com/desktop-wallpaper/kjv/ephesians-5-20

World Drowning Prevention Day – 25 July

World Drowning Prevention Day, declared through the April 2021 UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/75/273 “Global drowning prevention”, is held annually on 25 July. This global advocacy event serves as an opportunity to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities and offer life-saving solutions to prevent it. An estimated 236,000 people drown every year, and drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children aged 5-14 years. More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water storage vessels and swimming pools in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected.

Drowning is sudden, abrupt, and shocking, with people often not realizing it’s happening until it’s too late.

What leads to drowning often happens in just a few seconds:
A small child slipping unnoticed into a pond or pool on a sunny afternoon;
Feeling invincible after a few drinks and jumping into the ocean for a swim;
Accepting that one extra passenger on the boat, despite knowing it might capsize;
Deciding it’s too much of a hassle to put on that lifejacket.

So much can happen in a single moment. But with the right awareness and actions, what happens in those seconds can also be changed – for the better.

Source: Text & Image: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-drowning-prevention-day/2024

World Thyroid Day – 25 May

« Established in 2008, World Thyroid Day highlights five major goals to:
– Increase awareness of thyroid health,
– Promote understanding of advances made in treating thyroid diseases,
– Emphasize the prevalence of thyroid diseases,
– Focus on the urgent need for education and prevention programs, and
– Expand awareness of new treatment modalities.”

The Logo of the European Thyroid Day – 25th May 

« On the occasion of the European Thyroid Day, the Public Affairs Board of the ETA has produced in Athens a logo with the aim of increasing visibility and requesting the active participation of all who are involved in clinical and experimental thyroidology, sure of their continued commitment and dedication to all our thyroid patients. 

We sincerely hope that the logo is to your liking and trust that it will offer additional inspiration to us for the celebration of this special day, one that hopefully will further stimulate both political and public interest in thyroid disease, the most common endocrine disease worldwide, while simultaneously promoting the ETA ». 

Leonidas Duntas, on behalf of the Public Affairs Board

 

Source: Text & Image: https://thyroid-fed.org/history-wtd-itaw/

International Day of Families – 15 May 2024

2024 Theme: Families and Climate Change

Climate change negatively impacts the health and well-being of families through increased pollution, while extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, such as hurricanes, droughts and floods, often lead to forced displacement and loss of livelihoods for families and individuals. Such events impact agricultural productivity and access to water, intensifying hunger and vulnerability. They cause economic disruption in industries sensitive to climate impacts such as agriculture and fisheries.

Without drastic action, adaptation to and mitigation of the impacts of climate change will become increasingly difficult and costly.

Empowering families through education, changing consumption habits, and advocacy is critical for meaningful and effective climate action. Families pass values across generations, so instilling sustainable habits and climate awareness in families from an early age is important. Integrating circular economy principles into early childhood education can help build a sustainable economic model based on minimizing waste and regenerating natural resources. Families as consumers and advocates can drive the transition to a circular economy.

The 2024 International Day of Families aims to raise awareness of how climate change impacts families and the role families can play in climate action. Through family and community initiatives, we can foster climate action with education, access to information, training and community participation.

 

Source: Text & Image (Fan Xiao): https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day – 30 January

On 31 May 2021, the World Health Assembly (WHA) recognized 30 January as World Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Day through decision WHA74(18).

This decision formalized 30 January as a day to create better awareness on the devastating impact of NTDs on the poorest populations around the world. The day is also an opportunity to call on everyone to support the growing momentum for the control, elimination and eradication of these diseases.

Global NTD partners had marked the celebration in January 2021 by organizing various virtual events and also by lighting up landmark monuments and buildings.

Following the adoption of decision WHA74(18), WHO has joined the NTD community in adding its voice to the global call.

Source: Text & Image: WHO

World Prematurity Day – 17 November 2023

World Prematurity Day is observed worldwide on 17th of November every year to raise awareness of preterm births that include prematurity-related fatalities, challenges, and affordable ways to prevent them.

On this day, various national and international organisations, including the World Health Organisation(WHO)/ Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the March of Dimes, hospitals, non-profit organisations and healthcare professionals, come together to conduct activities and special events to increase awareness of the difficulties and burdens of premature birth worldwide.

Importance of World Prematurity Day

Prematurity is the broad category of newborns born before 37 weeks of gestation. The most significant cause of newborn mortality and the most prevalent reason for prenatal hospitalisation is preterm delivery. The three leading causes of death for premature newborns born with birth weights less than 1000 g are respiratory failure, infection, and congenital deformity.

Preterm birth can occur for a number of reasons. The majority of preterm births occur naturally. However, some are caused by medical reasons like infections or other pregnancy issues that necessitate early induction of labour or caesarean birth.

According to a new report launched by the United Nations agencies and partners, an estimated 1.34 crore babies were delivered prematurely in 2020, with roughly 10 lakhs dying as a result of preterm complications. It equates to approximately one in every ten newborns born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) worldwide.

According to the study, only one out of every ten extremely preterm newborns (28 weeks) survive in low-income nations, compared to more than nine out of ten in high-income countries. Even in high-income countries, disparities in race, ethnicity, poverty, and access to excellent care influence the likelihood of preterm birth, mortality, and disability.

Preterm birth has become the most prevalent cause of infant death, accounting for more than one-fifth of all deaths in children under the age of five. Preterm survival may endure long-term health repercussions, including a greater risk of disability and developmental delays. World Prematurity Day intends to create awareness and to work towards preventing preterm birth.

World Prematurity Day 2023 Theme

This year, 2023, the World Prematurity Day theme is « Small actions, BIG IMPACT: Immediate skin-to-skin care for every baby everywhere ». The theme emphasises that skin-to-skin contact (Kangaroo care) benefits all infants, especially premature babies. Initiated right after birth, skin-to-skin contact contributes to the baby’s awareness of touch and affection and plays a vital role in maintaining breastfeeding.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.pacehospital.com/world-prematurity-day

World Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day – 15 October

World Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day is a global healthcare event celebrated on the 15th of October every year to raise awareness regarding Pregnancy loss, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and infant death, which include miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn mortality.

Women have varying levels of access to healthcare services; hospitals and clinics worldwide in many countries are frequently under-resourced and understaffed. As diverse as the experience of losing a baby may be, stigma and guilt emerge as similar themes worldwide. As these first-person tales demonstrate, mothers who lose their kids are made to remain silent about their loss, either because miscarriage and stillbirth are still so common or because they are thought to be unavoidable, so World Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day is established to create public awareness of pregnancy loss, and the importance of acknowledging their lives and the impact it has on greater families.

On this day, in honour of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, around the world people light a candle at 7 p.m. in their own time zones to create a wave of light in memory of babies lost to pregnancy and infant loss.

History of World Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day

In 2002, Robyn Bear, Lisa Brown, and Tammy Novak have started the movement by petitioning the federal government to recognize the World Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day on October 15. In 2006, on September 28th, the House of Representatives finally approved National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

Source: Text & Image: https://www.pacehospital.com/world-pregnancy-infant-loss-remembrance-day