All - Leep Calendar

Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM), sponsored by the American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA), raises awareness about communication disorders and the role of ASHA members in providing life-altering treatment. The website for BHSM includes tools for promoting this event, including media, education, and outreach.

Africa

May

Hemochromatosis Awareness Month (CA): May

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Hemochromatosis Awareness Month in Canada addresses the issue of too much iron in the body. The disease most often appears in men and women over 40 and can be instigated through heredity, diet, vitamin pills with iron, and alcohol consumption. This awareness month urges Canadians to get tested and provides resources for those affected by the disease.

Africa

May

Hepatitis Awareness Month, Ntl.: May

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National Hepatitis Awareness Month highlights the silent epidemic suffered by more than 5 million Americans, chronic hepatitis B, and hepatitis C infections. Most infected Americans remain unaware that they have this severe liver infection. Improving screening and testing rates is essential to reduce the burden of illness and death from these diseases. National Hepatitis Testing Day is an educational initiative of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Division of Viral Hepatitis and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to boost screening rates in the U.S. Hep B United is a national hepatitis B campaign to support and leverage local coalitions around the country addressing hepatitis B and liver cancer. See the Hp B United site for links to Hepatitis B Testing events in your area. http://www.hepbunited.org

Africa

May

Hereditary Hemochromatosis Genetic Screening and Awareness Month, Ntl.: May

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The American Hemochromatosis Society (AHS) champions National Hereditary Hemochromatosis Genetic Screening and Awareness Month in May; it previously ran in July. Canada conducts a similar campaign within their borders. National Hereditary Hemochromatosis Genetic Screening and Awareness Month was founded in 1998 by Josephine Bogie Thomas, who succumbed to complications from the disease in 1999. AHS seeks to raise awareness and encourage people to get tested for Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH), commonly called iron overload disease, iron storage disease, or genetic iron poisoning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Hereditary Hemochromatosis as America's most common genetic disease. One in eight people, or 33 million Americans, are carriers of the disease, and most don't know it. Mutations of the disease can manifest as full-blown Hereditary hemochromatosis. It can affect anyone, men, women, and children at any stage of life affect men, women, and children at any age. Hereditary hemochromatosis is an inherited disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron from the diet. The excess iron is then stored in various organs, such as the liver, heart, and pancreas, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions like liver disease, heart problems, and diabetes. Mutations in the HFE gene cause the most common form of hereditary hemochromatosis. Early symptoms of the disorder may include joint pain, fatigue, and weakness. If left untreated, it can result in more severe health issues, including liver cirrhosis, heart failure, and diabetes. Early detection and treatment can help prevent or reduce complications. Genetic screening for hereditary hemochromatosis is crucial, particularly for individuals of Northern European descent, who are more likely to carry HFE gene mutations. Screening involves a blood test for elevated iron levels and specific gene mutations. If the condition is diagnosed early, treatment can be as simple as regular blood donations or therapeutic phlebotomy to remove excess iron from the body.

Africa

May

High Blood Pressure Education Month, Ntl.: May

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May is High Blood Pressure Education Month. Physical activity is one of the most critical steps to prevent or control high blood pressure. The National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP), established in 1972, cooperates with professional and voluntary health agencies, state health departments, and many community groups. The NHBPEP is administered and coordinated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The goal of the NHBPEP is to reduce death and disability related to high blood pressure through professional, patient, and public education programs. Activities you already do, such as gardening, spring cleaning and painting, mowing the lawn, raking leaves, playing with young children, and walking, can improve your heart health. All you need are 30 minutes at most, preferably daily. You can even divide it up if you exercise at least ten minutes each time. For more information on high blood pressure and moderate activities to help you control it, visit the NHLBI at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/index.html

Africa

May

Huntington's Disease Awareness Month (CA): May

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May is National Huntington Disease Awareness Month in Canada. Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic brain disorder that destroys life, and it is described as having Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Schizophrenia all at once. HD causes cells in specific parts of the brain to die. As the disease progresses, a person with Huntington's cannot manage movements, recall events, make decisions, and control emotions. The condition leads to incapacitation and, eventually, death. HD is hereditary. A child born to a parent with HD has a 50% chance of sharing the same fate as all family members. One in every 7,000 Canadians has Huntington's disease, males and females have the same risk of inheriting the disease, and HD occurs in all races. A middle-aged disease, its symptoms usually appear between the ages of 30 and 45, but in rare instances, it has shown up in children as young as five and with people in their 70s. Currently, it is incurable with no effective treatments. In 2006, Canadian researchers stopped the progression of HD in mice. Dr. Sipione, from the University of Alberta, showed that injecting ganglioside GM1 into the brains of HD mice can reverse the disease's motor symptoms. Her experiments prove that it might be possible to develop drugs to reverse at least some of the effects of HD in humans. In May 2012, Dr. Ray Truant of McMaster University revealed a link between this fatal neurodegenerative disease and Alzheimer's. This link may point to potential drug targets for both disorders. National Huntington Disease Awareness Month is a time for Canadians to learn about the disease, support those with it, and raise funds and awareness toward a cure. This event occurs in the United States with a different sponsor.

Africa

May

Huntington's Disease Awareness Month: May

06:20 AM | -

May is National Huntington Disease Awareness Month in the United States. Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic brain disorder that destroys life, and it is described as having Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Schizophrenia all at once. HD causes cells in specific parts of the brain to die. As the disease progresses, a person with Huntington's cannot manage movements, recall events, make decisions, and control emotions. The condition leads to incapacitation and, eventually, death. HD is hereditary. A child born to a parent with HD has a 50% chance of sharing the same fate as all family members. One in every 7,000 Canadians has Huntington's disease, males and females have the same risk of inheriting the disease, and HD occurs in all races. A middle-aged disease, its symptoms usually appear between the ages of 30 and 45, but in rare instances, it has shown up in children as young as five and with people in their 70s. Currently, it is incurable with no effective treatments. In 2006, Canadian researchers stopped the progression of HD in mice. Dr. Sipione, from the University of Alberta, showed that injecting ganglioside GM1 into the brains of HD mice can reverse the disease's motor symptoms. Her experiments prove that it might be possible to develop drugs to reverse at least some of the effects of HD in humans. In May 2012, Dr. Ray Truant of McMaster University revealed a link between this fatal neurodegenerative disease and Alzheimer's. This link may point to potential drug targets for both disorders. National Huntington Disease Awareness Month is a time for Canadians to learn about the disease, support those with it, and raise funds and awareness toward a cure. This event is also occurring in the Canada with a different sponsor.

Africa

May

Inventors Month, Ntl.: May

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Inventors Digest Magazine, United Inventors Association, and the Academy of Applied Science designate this month as National Inventors Month. May aligns with the National Inventors Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and the academic calendar. It is a month to explore inventions and celebrate the people who invent.

Africa

May

Jewish-American Heritage Month: May

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Jewish Americans have been part of the American experience almost since the beginning. The first arrived from Holland in the mid-1600s, quickly followed by another group of merchants and traders from Brazil and the Caribbean. During the American Revolution, most Jewish Americans were of Sephardic (Arab) descent. Several fought in the Revolutionary War, and many were instrumental in securing financing for the colonies. In the beginning, Jewish immigrants settled in North Carolina. With the Industrial Revolution and the promise of jobs, New England became the preferred location, with New York, Philadelphia, and Boston boasting the largest populations. The entertainment and tech industries would draw additional migrations to the West Coast. During the 19th century, as revolution swept through Europe, the first significant wave of Ashkenazi (European) Jews began entering the United States. By the 1880s, over 200,000 had arrived. Wars, famine, and growing racism against Jews and other ethnic groups, coupled with the Industrial Revolution's need for labor and the ability to live and worship freely, increased the number of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and the Middle East. By 1910, 50 percent of those immigrating to the United States identified as Jewish. In 1921, new US immigration laws culled the flow of all immigrant groups, despite the increasing dangers in Europe. Jewish Americans have been instrumental in the civil rights movement, establishing the entertainment industry and contributing to higher education, the arts, law, and medicine. Jewish Americans first protested the downgrading of US public schools in New York in the 1920s. As a group, Jewish Americans continued to be more active in politics and causes than any other single demographic. Today, nearly six million persons identifying with the Jewish faith or culture live in the United States, one-third of the global Jewish population. The United States boasts the second-largest population of Jewish persons in the world. Only the state of Israel has slightly more. Here are five of the most famous Jewish Americans from the past 100 years: Albert Einstein - One of the most famous scientists of the 20th century, Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who fled Nazi Germany and eventually settled in the United States. He is best known for his Theory of Relativity and his contributions to the development of atomic energy. Ruth Bader Ginsburg - A former Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Ginsburg was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court. She was known for her advocacy for gender equality and her strong defense of civil rights. Steven Spielberg - A renowned filmmaker, Spielberg is one of the most successful directors in Hollywood history. He has directed numerous blockbuster films, including Jaws, ET—the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and Schindler's List. Barbra Streisand - A singer, actress, and filmmaker, Streisand is one of the most successful entertainers in American history. She has won numerous awards for her work, including two Academy Awards, nine Grammy Awards, and a Tony Award. Mark Zuckerberg - A co-founder of Facebook, Zuckerberg is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in modern history. He has been named one of Time magazine's "100 most influential people" multiple times and has been the subject of numerous biographical works. Jewish Heritage Month is a month to appreciate the history and contributions of Jewish Americans in building and creating the United States as we know it today.

Africa

May

Lung Cancer Awareness Month (AU): May

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Lung Cancer Awareness Month aims to inform, educate and raise awareness on the early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. Australia moved its annual observance from November to May in 2018 to expand the programs it makes available throughout the year. November remains International Lung Cancer Awareness Month and is also observed in Australia in addition to this event.

Africa

May

Lupus Awareness Month, Ntl.: May

06:20 AM | -

Lupus Awareness Month is an annual observance in May to call attention to Lupus and its impact on millions of individuals and families. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease. There is no connection with AIDS. Usually, the immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect us from disease. People with Lupus cannot do this, and their immune systems cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues. Because of this, people with Lupus create autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue resulting in inflammation, pain, and damage to various body parts. Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However, men, children, and teenagers develop Lupus, too. Women of color are two to three times more likely to develop Lupus than Caucasians. World Lupus Day®, observed annually on May 10, gives a single voice to all individuals affected by this devastating and debilitating chronic disease around the globe. Visit worldlupusday.org

Africa

May

Lyme Disease Awareness Month: May

06:20 AM | -

Lyme Disease Awareness Month occurs each year in May. Another Lyme Disease Awareness Month focused on canine owners runs in April. Each spring, deer ticks surface across North America. The deer tick is the primary source of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that manifests after a tick bites an animal. The bacteria enter the animal's bloodstream and settle into its joints. Symptoms of Lyme disease include lameness, limping, and a high fever. A vet must administer Lyme disease vaccinations. Other actions you can take to minimize exposure to Lyme disease include: Avoid walking through leaves and short trees in grassy, wooded, or sandy areas. Inspect your pet for ticks after walks and remove any that you find. Remove ticks with tweezers and gloves. Never touch a tick with your own hands.

Africa

May

Meat Free May (UK): May

06:20 AM | -

Meat Free May in the United Kingdom highlights the effects of consuming meat on the body and the planet. One cause of greenhouse gas emissions is livestock contributing to deforestation and climate change. The supply of fish in the oceans is also diminishing. Vegan and Vegetarian groups believe that if people eliminated meat or shifted to a lower-meat diet, there would be fewer deaths and reduced environmental damage.

Africa

May

Medication Dependence Prevention Month (AU): May

06:20 AM | -

Medication Dependence Prevention Month raises awareness about preventing medication harm and finding community support. Currently, in Australia, more people are dying from prescription pain and sedative medications than from traffic accidents. Overuse or using the medicine for too long can lead to medication tolerance, dependence, and addiction, and it can also worsen the pain and increase insomnia. Medication Dependence Prevention Month seeks to prevent this health crisis by encouraging people with long-term pain or insomnia to plan how and when to stop using these medications with their health professionals safely.

Africa

May

Meditation Month, Ntl.: May

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National Meditation Month is sponsored by Touching Earth, a Chicago-based yoga and meditation company, to raise awareness of the importance of meditation in mental and physical health and its benefits. People are encouraged to take time out, sit somewhere quiet, and focus and listen. Benefits of meditation when combined with yoga include: Alleviating suffering Relieving stress Lowering blood pressure Lowering heart rate Reducing the production of harmful stress hormones, including cortisol Improving mental clarity and memory Greater focus Minimizing the perception of chronic pain Strengthening neuronal connections in the brain and enhancing an overall sense of well-being.

Africa