Nearly 10 million American women use oral contraceptives, including about 1.5 million who rely on them for reasons other than birth control. The number of women in the United States with intrauterine devices, many of which release hormones, has grown in recent years, as has the number of women using other types of hormonal contraceptive implants. Many women have believed that newer hormonal contraceptives are much safer than those taken by their mothers or grandmothers, which had higher doses of estrogen.
November has been designated National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. It is a time to spread awareness about this disease that affects nearly two million Americans today. An estimated five million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. This number is expected to increase to 60 million by 2050 in the U.S. alone. What is more distressing isn’t the fact that it is an incurable disease or that there are limited treatment options, but that Alzheimer’s disease has an insidious onset, often not being recognized until it is too late.
April is Autism Awareness Month. The aim of this month is educate the public about autism. Autism is a complex mental condition and developmental disability, characterized by difficulties in the way a person communicates and interacts with other people. Autism can be be present from birth or form during early childhood (typically within the first three years). Autism is a lifelong developmental disability with no single known cause.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer risks, the value of screening and early detection, and treatment options available to women and men who are diagnosed with one of the many forms of breast cancer. More than 249,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer every year, and nearly 41,000 die from the disease. Over the years, a loop of pink ribbon has come to symbolize breast cancer awareness, and today the image of a pink ribbon can be found emblazoned on thousands of products, from apparel to dishware to office supplies. But there’s more to awareness than just wearing pink.
Every October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is observed to bring to light an issue that effects our community. Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national level.
March is brain injury awareness month, so now is the time to become more aware of the causes, symptoms and prevention of traumatic brain injuries. Warmer weather is upon us which usually means the population will soon be heading outdoors to partake in all sorts of activities, ranging from a simple playground visit, sports or an evening motorcycle ride. Brain injury is not an event or an outcome. It is the start of a misdiagnosed, misunderstood, under-funded neurological disease
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. A mammogram – the screening test for breast cancer – can help find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat.
President Barack Obama issued a White House proclamation recognizing World Autism Awareness Day declaring that “everyone deserves a fair shot at opportunity” and celebrating the work of advocates, professionals, family members, and all who work to build brighter tomorrows alongside those with autism. The President highlighted the signing of the Autism CARES Act, which dedicates $1.3 billion in federal funding for autism over the next five years and the ongoing BRAIN initiative to revolutionize our understanding of conditions like autism and improve the lives of all who live with them.”