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World Hypertension Day – 17 May 2023

17 May is World Hypertension Day – check your blood pressure

This is an exciting time of the year for us! May is a month with lots of public activities marking World Hypertension Day and May Measure Month (being marked from 1st May to 31st July 2023). The purpose of this activity is to highlight the importance of better prevention, detection and treatment of high blood pressure.

This year, the theme of World Hypertension Day is Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer, focusing on combatting low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle income areas, and accurate blood pressure measurement methods.

Background information on high blood pressure (hypertension)

Hypertension is a long-term condition where blood pressure is increased.  It is the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting more than 1.4 billion people and accounting for more than 28,000 deaths each day.  Initially, it does not cause any symptoms but if left untreated it can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, vision loss, and dementia. Control of high blood pressure can help protect against these conditions and there are many steps that can be taken to help lower blood pressure.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://ish-world.com/world-hypertension-day-17-may-2023/

World TB Day – 24 March 2023

World TB Day 2023, with the theme ‘Yes! We can end TB!’, aims to inspire hope and encourage high-level leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations, adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and multisectoral collaboration to combat the TB epidemic. This year is critical, with opportunities to raise visibility and political commitment at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB.

The spotlight of World TB Day will be on urging countries to ramp up progress in the lead-up to the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB. WHO will also issue a call to action with partners urging Member States to accelerate the rollout of the new WHO-recommended shorter all-oral treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB.

World TB Day is observed annually on March 24 to raise awareness about TB and efforts to end the global epidemic, marking the day in 1882 when the bacterium causing TB was discovered.

 

Source: Text: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-tb-day/2023        Image: YouTube

International Epilepsy Day – 13 February 2023

International Epilepsy Day seeks to raise awareness and educate the general public on the true facts about epilepsy and the urgent need for improved treatment, better care, and greater investment in research.

  • 65 million people around the world live w/ #epilepsy
  • 3.4+ million people in the U.S. live w/ #epilepsy
  • 1 in 26 people in the U.S. will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime
  • 4 to 10 out of 1,000 people on earth live w/ active #seizures at any one time
  • 150,000 new cases of #epilepsy are diagnosed in the U.S. each year
  • One-third of people w/ #epilepsy live w/ uncontrolled #seizures because no available treatment works for them
  • For 6 out of 10 people w/ #epilepsy the cause is unknown
  • Each year, more than 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy die from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, known as SUDEP.
  • 4 out of 10 people w/ #epilepsy in the industrialized world do not receive appropriate treatment
  • 8 out of 10 people w/ #epilepsy in developing nations do not receive appropriate treatment

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.epilepsy.com/volunteer/spreading-awarness/international-epilepsy-day#

World Leprosy Day – 29 January 2023

When is World Leprosy Day 2023?

In 2023, World Leprosy Day is Sunday 29 January. World Leprosy Day always takes place on the last Sunday of January.

This date was chosen by French humanitarian, Raoul Follereau as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who did much work with persons affected by leprosy and died at the end of January in 1948.

What is World Leprosy Day?

World Leprosy Day takes place on the last Sunday of January each year. It is organised by organisations of people affected by leprosy and leprosy-focused NGOs, including The Leprosy Mission, and is an opportunity to lift up the voices of people affected by leprosy throughout the world.

What is the theme for World Leprosy Day 2023?

The theme for World Leprosy Day 2023 is ‘Act Now: End Leprosy’.

Why do we celebrate World Leprosy Day?

We celebrate World Leprosy Day to raise awareness of a disease that many people think does not exist anymore.

Each year there are 200,000 people diagnosed with leprosy and there are millions who are living with the damaging consequences of delayed leprosy treatment.

World Leprosy Day is an opportunity to celebrate the lives of those affected, raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease, and tackle the stigma that too often surrounds leprosy. It is also an opportunity to raise money so that we can be the generation that ends leprosy transmission.

 

Source: Text (abridged) & Image: https://www.leprosymission.org/leprosy-champions/

International Day Against Breast Cancer – 19 October 2022

World Breast cancer Day 2022 aims at raising awareness and promoting women’s access to timely and effective control, diagnosis, and treatment.

Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Breast Cancer Awareness Day

International Breast Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated every year on October 19 to inform people about breast cancer. It accounts for nearly 30 percent of female tumors. World Breast cancer Day 2022 aims at raising awareness and promoting women’s access to timely and effective control, diagnosis, and treatment.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022: What do we know?

Breast Cancer Awareness month is an international health campaign that lasts the whole month of October and is intended to increase awareness of breast cancer. The first organized effort for bringing widespread attention to breast cancer occurred as a weeklong event in the United States in October 1985.

Breast Cancer, globally, is the most common form of cancer that affects women. Reportedly, in 2018, more than two million new cases were reported worldwide. Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, educational programs, science forums, and informational pamphlets are used as a means to disseminate the information to the public.

 

Source: Text (abridged): jagran josh  SHAILAJA TRIPATHI: OCT 19, 2022 09:08 IST   in https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/international-day-against-breast-cancer

World Arthritis Day – 12 October

On October 12th of each year, World Arthritis Day spreads awareness about the most prevalent disease in the world. This awareness day highlights the need for early diagnosis and treatment.

More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States have arthritis. By the year 2040, an estimated 78 million people in the U.S. will have arthritis. About 120 million people in the European Union live with arthritis. A total of 350 million people throughout the world have the disease. Arthritis and related conditions account for more than $156 billion in lost wages and medical expenses each year. The disease also results in one million hospitalizations a year.

Arthritis is commonly known as joint inflammation. There are over 100 types of arthritis. The two most common types include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While there is no cure for this disease, treatments are available. Doctors prescribe painkillers, anti-inflammatory medications, and injections called corticosteroids to treat arthritis. Physical therapy and chiropractic care can also help reduce pain and inflammation. For some, surgery, such as joint replacement or joint fusion, is the only option.

Many people with arthritis also have other conditions. These conditions include heart disease and diabetes. Some people are more prone to others than having arthritis. Common risk factors include family history, age, being overweight, and previous joint injury.

Severe arthritis is debilitating as it becomes difficult to do daily tasks and enjoy activities. In some cases, the joints become twisted and deformed.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world-arthritis-day-october-12/

 

World Multiple Sclerosis Day – 30 May 2022

World Multiple Sclerosis Day, falling on May 30, invites dialogue on the disease. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive disease where the insulating covers of the nervous system are damaged. MS is also known as encephalomyelitis disseminata, and its symptoms include muscle weakness, double vision, and mental/physical problems. Due to the lack of research studies on the disease, the exact causes behind it are generally unknown. Many scientists believe that there might be a connection between the onset of the disease and genes and/or nerve-cell dysfunction. Furthermore, there is no permanent cure as of yet. The symptoms can be relieved using the right set of treatments and medication.

HISTORY OF WORLD MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS DAY

The first World Multiple Sclerosis Day was celebrated in 2009 by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF). MSIF was officially established in 1967 as an international body that coordinated with national MS organizations belonging to many countries like Turkey, Slovakia, India, and the U.S.

The federation aims to bring light to MS and the scientific research related to it. The theme for this year’s World Multiple Sclerosis Day is ‘Connect.’ This theme, which continues from 2020 through 2022, focuses on bringing the world together by forming a connection with each other as well as the self for the sake of better care. MSIF spends the whole month of May and early June spreading awareness and hope about MS through their themed campaigns.

Around 2.8 million people suffer from MS each year. This disease relates to damaged myelin sheaths that cover the nervous system in the spinal cord and brain. The damaged myelin sheaths become covered in lesions or plaques, and this is where the disease gets its name — ‘multiple sclerosis’ means ‘multiple scars.’ MS’s exact causes remain unknown, but some scientists attribute genetics, infectious agents, and cell dysfunction to the disease’s causes. Symptoms include muscle spasms, speech and swallowing problems, coordination and balance issues, depression, mood swings, and so forth. While there’s no permanent cure for MS, ongoing research relates to treating the symptoms with drugs and neuroprotection strategies.

Source: Text: nationaltoday.com    Image: freepik.com

World Malaria Day – 25 April 2022

World Malaria Day 2022 - History, theme and significance The day is celebrated and observed to raise awareness about this life-threatening disease and to encourage people to come together in order to prevent it.

World Malaria Day is celebrated and observed on 25 April every year to raise awareness about this life-threatening disease that continues to pose a threat to mankind.

Malaria is caused due to the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito (which is infected with the malaria-causing plasmodium parasite). Almost half of the world’s citizens are at a risk of malaria and the chances of people residing in poor countries contracting the disease are much higher.

According to the World Health Organization’s data, as many as 241 million people were infected with this deadly disease in 2020, with most of these cases reported in Africa. While the WHO has stated that malaria is curable and preventable disease with the correct treatment, many people still die from the lack of access to adequate healthcare.

History:

The day developed from the African Malaria Day. In Africa, governments have been observing Malaria Day since 2001. However, it was only in 2007, during the 60th session of the World Health Organization, that it was proposed to recognise Africa Malaria Day as World Malaria Day and to recognise the impact of the disease worldwide. The first World Malaria Day was held in 2008.

Theme:

The theme for this year’s World Malaria Day is « Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives ».

 

Source: Text & Image: Firtpost

World AIDS Day – 1 December 2021

World AIDS Day brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic.

The day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care around the world. It has become one of the most widely recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have died, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

On 1 December 2021, WHO is calling on global leaders and citizens to rally to confront the inequalities that drive AIDS and to reach people who are currently not receiving essential HIV services.

 

Source: Text: WHO  Images: hiv.gov    unaids.org

World Pneumonia Day – 12 November

World Pneumonia Day is annually held on November 12 to raise awareness of pneumonia, promote prevention and treatment, and generate action to fight the illness.

Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs, making breathing painful and limiting oxygen intake. Pneumonia is the biggest killer of children under age 5 worldwide. Nearly one in five global child deaths result from pneumonia every year. Moreover, this is a preventable and treatable illness via vaccines, antibiotic treatment, and improved sanitation. The United Nations (UN) first celebrated the day on November 12, 2009.

Source: Text: timeanddate.com Image: Journée mondiale