Health Awareness Weeks in April

April is a busy month full of health awareness campaigns. During the month of April, national campaigns for public health, youth violence prevention, infant immunization, and volunteering are celebrated.

National Public Health Week

For the past 12 years the American Public Health Association has been the sponsor of National Public Health Week. The importance of this awareness campaign is growing each year. According to the American Public Health Association, "There is a direct connection between climate change and the health of our nation today. Yet few Americans are aware of the very real consequences of climate change on the health of our communities, our families and our children." During National Public Health Week, the APHA has created resources to educate policy makers, the public and the medical community about issues that are crucial to improving the health of the nation. If you would like to become actively involved with National Public Health Week, visit the APHA website.

National Youth Violence Prevention Week

The National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) and Guidance Channel are sponsors of the annual National Youth Violence Prevention Week campaign. The goal of National Youth Violence Prevention Week is to raise awareness and educate the public, students, teachers, school administrators, school staff and parents on ways they can help reduce youth violence. For those who participate in the campaign, each day of the week will provide a different violence prevention strategy. Some of these strategies include lessons on anger management, respect and tolerance, peacefully resolving conflict, and supporting safety. To become involved with the National Youth Violence Prevention Week in your community, visit the National Youth Violence Prevention Campaign website.

National Infant Immunization Week

The purpose of National Infant Immunization Week is to make parents aware of the diseases their children are susceptible to getting if not properly immunized. For the past 14 years, National infant Immunization Week has been an educational resource for parents, caregivers and the medical community on the vaccine-preventable diseases immunization protects children from and how this also protects the rest of the public. National Infant Immunization Week also provides physicians and their patients better tools to communicate with each other when discussing immunizations. If you would like to take a more active role in National Infant Immunization Week, visit the CDC website for further information.

National Volunteer Week

Target is the annual sponsor of National Volunteer Week in April. The purpose of National Volunteer Week is to recognize those who volunteer their time and services to others. It is also used to motivate people to become volunteers in their communities. Richard Nixon signed the order back in 1974 to make National Volunteer Week official and since then, many people have been recognized for their great efforts. Deserving volunteers are honored with a President's Volunteer Service Award during this campaign. To find volunteer opportunities in your local community, visit the Volunteer.org website.