Globally, the numerous of international days, weeks and years are observed in the field of health to raise awareness and advocate in particular diseases or health conditions. Various global health awareness days has been celebrated each year to create awareness of a specific health matters.
January
SunSmart Skin Cancer Awareness Month
- World Braille Day- 4 January
- World Leprosy Day- last Sunday in January
February
Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month
Reproductive Health Month
Environmental Health Awareness Month
- World Cancer Day- 4 February
- International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation- 6 February
- International Epilepsy Day- second Monday of February
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science- 11 February
- International Childhood Cancer Day- 15 February
- World Day of Social Justice- 20 February
- Rare Disease Day- 28/29 February
- International Condom Day- 13 February
March
TB Awareness Month
- Zero Discrimination Day- 1 March
- World Birth Defect Day- 3 March
- World Hearing Day- 3 March
- World Obesity Day- 4 March
- World Glaucoma Week- 7-13 March
- International Women’s Day- 8 March
- World Kidney Day- Second Thursday in March
- International Day of Happiness- 20 March
- World Oral Health Day- 20 March
- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination- 21 March
- World Down Syndrome Day- 21 March
- World Water Day- 22 March
- World Tuberculosis Day- 24 March
- International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members- 25 March
April
Health Awareness Month
- World Autism Awareness Day- 2 April
- International Day of Sport for Development and Peace- 6 April
- World Health Day- 7 April
- World Chagas Disease Day- 14 April
- World Creativity and Innovation Day- 21 April
- World Meningitis Day-24 April
- World Malaria Day- 25 April
- World Immunization Week- The last week of April
- World Day for Safety and Health at Work- 28 April
May
Anti-tobacco Campaign Month
Burns Awareness Month
International Multiple Sclerosis Month
- World Asthma Day- First Tuesday in the month of May
- World Hand Hygiene Day- 5 May
- International Day of the Midwife- 5 May
- UN Global Road Safety Week- 6-12 May
- International Nurses Day- 12 May
- International Day of Families- 15 May
- World Family Doctor Day- 19 May
- International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia- 17 May
- World Hypertension Day- 17 May
- International Day to End Obstetric Fistula- 23 May
- Menstrual Hygiene Day- 28 May
- World No-Tobacco Day- 31 May
June
Men’s Health Month
National Blood Donor Month
National Youth Month
Go Turquoise for the Elderly Campaign
- World Blood Donor Day- 14 June
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day- 15 June
- International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict- 19 June
- International Day of Yoga- 21 June
- International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking- 26 June
July
Mental Illness Awareness Month
- World Population Day- 11 July
- World Brain Day- 22 July
- World Drowning Prevention Day– 25 July
- World Hepatitis Day- 28 July
August
Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness Month (15 August to 15 October)
National Women’s Month
Organ Donor Month
Child Heath Month
- World Breastfeeding Week- 1 to 7 August
- International Youth Day- 12 August
- World Humanitarian Day- 19 August
- African Traditional Medicine Day- 31 August
September
Albinism Awareness Month
Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness Month (15 August to 15 October)
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Eye Care Awareness Month (20 September to 17 October)
Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month
Heart Awareness Month National Month of Deaf People
National Oral Health Month
Pharmacy Month
- World Physical Therapy Day- 8 September
- World Suicide Prevention Day- 10 September
- World Sepsis Day- 13 September
- World Alzheimer’s Day- 21 September
- World Pharmacists Day- 25 September
- World Lung Day- 25 September
- World Rabies Day- 28 September
- World Heart Day- 29 September
- World Contraception Day- 26 September
October
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Month
Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness Month (15 August to 15 October)
Eye Care Awareness Month (21 September to 18 October)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
- International Day for the Elderly – 1 October
- International Day of Non-Violence – 2 October
- World Mental Health Day- 10 October
- International Day of the Girl Child- 11 October
- International Day for Disaster Reduction – 13 October
- World Sight Day – 14 October
- World Hospice and Palliative Care Day- The second Saturday of October
- International Day of Rural Women – 15 October
- World Food Day – 16 October
- World Statistics Day- 20 October
- World Osteoporosis Day – 20 October
- United Nations Day – 24 October
- World Polio Day – 24 October
- World Psoriasis Day – 29 October
- World Stroke Day – 29 October
- World Cities Day – 31 October
November
Quality Month
Red Ribbon Month
Disability Rights Awareness Month (3 November to 3 December)
- One Health Day– 3 Nov
- World Pneumonia Day – 12 November
- World Antibiotic Awareness Week – 18-24 November
- World Diabetes Day – 14 November
- International Day for Tolerance – 16 November
- World Toilet Day – 19 November
- World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims – The third Sunday of November
- World Day of Research for Health – 18 November
- Universal Children’s Day -20 November
- International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women -25 November
December
Prevention of Injuries Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Awareness Month (1 December to 31 January)
- World AIDS Day – 1 December
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities – December
- International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development – 5 December
- FCHV Day- 5 December
- International Anti-Corruption Day – 9 December
- Human Rights Day – 10 December
- International Universal Health Coverage Day – 12 December
- International Human Solidarity Day -20 December