May National Health Observances: Hepatitis Awareness, Physical Fitness, Women’s Health, and More!

Posted on February 21, 2020 by ODPHP

Each month, we feature select National Health Observances (NHOs) that align with our priorities for improving health across the nation. To help you spread the word, we also provide links to resources that you can use to promote these NHOs. This month, we’re raising awareness about hepatitis, physical fitness and sports, stroke, healthy vision, and women’s health. Use the resources below to join the conversation and advocate for better health!

Hepatitis Awareness Month

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sponsors Hepatitis Awareness Month in May to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and hepatitis testing. Join the conversation by using CDC’s promotional resources. You can also share our consumer-friendly MyHealthfinder resources to help people learn about steps to prevent hepatitis B and screening for hepatitis C. Finally, take a look at the Healthy People 2030 objectives aimed at reducing rates of infectious diseases.

National Physical Fitness & Sports Month

Each May the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (PCSFN) within ODPHP supports National Physical Fitness & Sports Month — an opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of physical activity! Encourage people to live healthier lives through increased physical activity using our Move Your Way® campaign materials. You can also share the Move Your Way Activity Planner to help your audiences build a personalized weekly activity plan. If you’re interested in national efforts to improve quality of life through physical activity, take a look at the Healthy People 2030 Physical Activity objectives.

National Stroke Awareness Month

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) sponsors National Stroke Awareness Month in May to help people learn about risk factors for stroke. Spread the word about stroke prevention using the materials in CDC’s Stroke Communications Kit. You can also check out the Healthy People 2030 Heart Disease and Stroke objectives to learn about national targets for improving heart health. And be sure to share our MyHealthfinder resource on how to lower the risk of stroke.

Healthy Vision Month

Each May, the National Eye Institute (NEI) sponsors Healthy Vision Month. Use NEI’s Healthy Vision Month Social Media Library to spread the word about healthy vision and encourage your audiences to learn how to protect their eye health. You can also share our MyHealthfinder resource on protecting kids’ vision with parents in your community. And don’t forget to track on the Healthy People 2030 objectives related to sensory or communication disorders.

National Women’s Health Week

This year the Office on Women’s Health (OWH) is sponsoring National Women’s Health Week on May 10 to 16 to encourage women and girls to make their health a priority. Share our MyHealthfinder resource on well-woman visits to encourage women to stay on top of their preventive health care. You can also use our Move Your Way maternal health resources to help your pregnant and postpartum audiences find tips for getting active. Finally, take a look at the Healthy People 2030 objectives aimed at promoting women's health.

We hope you’ll use these resources to help spread the word about these important NHOs! Together, we can work toward a healthier nation.