Throughout the year, key days, weeks and even months are dedicated to bringing awareness to important health topics and professions. They provide opportunities to share information about health issues you care about, and show some appreciation to professionals you know in the healthcare field!
Whether you're a healthcare professional, employer, educator or even a patient, mark these dates on your calendar to help you plan for awareness activities. And be sure to follow NHA on Facebook and Twitter for reminders, facts and ideas to help you observe these special dates.
All dates are for 2018
January
- Blood Donor Month
- National IV Nurse Day (Jan. 25)
February
- American Heart Month
- National Wise Health Care Consumer Month
- Patient Recognition Week (Feb. 1-7)
- National Wear Red Day® (Feb. 3)
- World Cancer Day (Feb. 4)
- Cardiovascular Professionals Week (Feb. 11-17)
March
- National Social Workers' Month
- Healthcare HR Week (Mar. 11-17)
- National Patient Safety Awareness Week (Mar. 11-17)
- Health Information Professionals Week (Mar. 18-24)
- National Doctors' Day (Mar. 30)
April
- Counseling Awareness Month
- Patient Access Week (Apr. 1-7)
- World Health Day (Apr. 7)
- National Healthcare Volunteer Week (Apr. 15-22)
- National Healthcare Decisions Day (Apr. 16)
- National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (Apr. 22-28)
- Patient Experience Week (Apr. 23-27)
- Administrative Professionals' Day (Apr. 25)
- World Day for Safety and Health at Work (Apr. 28)
May
- Mental Health Month
- Older Americans Month
- Oncology Nursing Month
- National Nurses Day (May 6)
- National Nurses Week (May 6-12)
- National Hospital Week (May 6-12)
- National Nursing Home Week (May 13-19)
- Women's Health Week (May 13-19)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week (May 20 - 26)
- EMSC Day (May 23)
June
- National Nursing Assistant Week (June 10-17)
- National Career Nursing Assistants’ Day (June 10)
- Men's Health Week (June 11-17)
July
- UV Safety Month
- National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
August
- Health Center Week (Aug. 12-18)
- Health Unit Coordinators Day (Aug. 23)
September
- Pain Awareness Month
- Childhood Cancer Month
- Healthy Aging Month
- National Assisted Living Week (Sept. 9-15)
October
- American Pharmacist Month
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- National Physical Therapy Month
- World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (Oct. 13)
- Medical Assistants Recognition Week (Oct. 15-19)
- Pharmacy Technician Day (Oct. 16)
- Medical Assistants Recognition Day (Oct. 17)
- Healthcare Quality Week (Oct. 21-27)
November
- Homecare and Hospice Month
- National Family Caregivers Month
- Allied Health Professionals Week (Nov. 5-9)
- Veteran's Day (Nov. 11)
December
- World AIDS Day (Dec. 1)
- National Hand Washing Awareness Week (Dec. 2-8)