Previous Awareness Matters Articles 2024

December is AIDS Awareness Month – a perfect time to raise awareness and support for people living with HIV and to educate people on the options and importance of testing for HIV. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

December is Seasonal Depression Awareness Month. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of mild to moderate depression that descends in the fall or winter months months and fades in spring.

It isn’t surprising that having a mental health problem can make it harder to stick to your diabetes care plan. Left untreated, a mental health problem can make diabetes worse. At the same time, problems with diabetes can make mental health issues worse.

It isn’t surprising that having a mental health problem can make it harder to stick to your diabetes care plan. Left untreated, a mental health problem can make diabetes worse. At the same time, problems with diabetes can make mental health issues worse.

About one in eight American women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. What happens when you or a loved one is among them? Breast cancer treatment is a journey. Here are some guideposts and resources to help you or a loved one along the way.

Any injury to the gums or teeth can be very painful. At other times, you may have dental pain and not know why. For example, sudden pain may be caused by pieces of food that come in contact with a decayed area of the tooth. Learn what you can do when you identify tooth or mouth pain

Whether you wake up stiff and sore or suffer more as the day wears on, these tips can help ease and prevent pain from morning to night.

High cholesterol is a major risk factor contributing to cardiovascular disease. Now’s a great time to take steps to lower your cholesterol level and improve your heart health.

You may think that because you're not a kid anymore, you don't have to worry about shots. But adults need them, too. Vaccines offer protection from infectious diseases. Find out how to stay on top of the vaccines recommended for adults.

Eye exams aren’t just for finding out whether you need a new pair of glasses or contacts. They’re about getting a better understanding of your eyes, your eye history and your overall health.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a group of disorders that causes arthritis (stiff, swollen, painful joints) in children. The arthritis happens when the immune system, which normally attacks germs, mistakenly attacks the joints.

Hello, sunshine enthusiasts! As you bask in the warm embrace of those golden rays, we want to make sure you're not only soaking up the good vibes but also taking steps to keep your skin and overall health in check. Sun is important, but excessive sun exposure can risk sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging.

June is National Men’s Health Month, the perfect time to be aware and open about a subject that many guys would rather not talk about. We’re talking about men’s mental health.

There are some misconceptions about Alzheimer’s disease. Even though this type of dementia affects millions of people in the U.S., many of us still don’t understand this condition. Let’s take a closer look so you can learn to recognize the signs and the resources available to you.

Low-impact activities that raise your heart rate can reduce arthritis pain and stiffness over time. Here are recommended activities for different joint problems.

May is High Blood Pressure Awareness Month. Nearly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure – also known as hypertension. Only about about one in four adults with high blood pressure have it under control. Are you one of them?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the lower part of your digestive system. This disorder can cause discomfort, diarrhea and other digestive symptoms. IBS is a common, chronic (long-lasting) condition.

April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, so designated because it’s the birth month of James Parkinson, who first identified the symptoms of the disease more than 200 years ago. However, while scientists today believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are involved, the cause of the disease remains largely unknown.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the perfect time to learn more about one of the most common forms of cancer you can get and how to prevent it. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 150,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with this disease each year, yet it’s highly curable when caught early.

March is National Nutrition Month, the perfect time to ask the question: Am I eating right? Chances are, you’re not or at least not as well as you could be. A healthy diet can prevent excessive weight gain and chronic disease.

If you’re experiencing heart problems or are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, you should understand some key terminology. That makes it easier for you to communicate with your doctor and take the steps you need to become more heart-healthy.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Did you know that many choices you make every day can lower your risk for several types of cancer? Research shows that up to 50% of cancer cases and about 50% of cancer deaths are preventable with the knowledge we have today.

Our nation’s blood supply is almost entirely dependent on volunteer donors and a network of hospital-based collection centers, non-profit organizations, the NIH Blood Bank, and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Armed Services Blood Program.

Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye diseases that develop when increased fluid pressure in the eyes damages the nerve fibers in the optic nerve and retina. This damage can lead to irreversible vision loss.