This past Mother’s Day launched the 24th annual National Women’s Health Week. Led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health, the goal is to empower women to make their health a priority and raise awareness of the steps one can take to improve their health. Advocates say the rate of death and illness, along with mounting conditions affecting access to care, have risen to the level of a state of emergency for women’s health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends many common measures such as proper health screenings, staying […]
Author: Evan O'Connor
Mental Health Month 2023
The month of May has been observed as Mental Health Month for over 70 years. Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Mental health is equally important to maintain as our physical health, though often goes untreated to a degree that can manifest as (or exacerbate existing) mental illness. Mental illness can range from anxiety to mood disorders like […]
Autism Awareness Month 2023
April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common but complex developmental disability, with 1 in 36 American children born in the United States on the autism spectrum. Although doctors generally agree that the cause for autism spectrum disorder is unknown, there are known risk factors. Research indicates that genetics are involved in the vast majority of cases and children born to older parents are at a higher risk for having autism. Parents who have a child on the spectrum have a 2-18% chance of having a second child who is also affected. The signs of […]
National Public Health Week 2023
Public health is “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting human health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals.” Analyzing the health of a population and the threats it faces is the basis for public health. Public health professionals work to prevent problems from happening or recurring through implementing educational programs, recommending policies, administering services, and conducting research. Public health also works to limit health disparities by promoting healthcare equity, quality, and accessibility. You can look at public health narrowed down to any population — from a neighborhood, […]
LGBTQ Health Awareness Week 2023
We are currently in the middle of the 21st LGBTQ Health Awareness Week. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) people are members of every community. They are diverse, come from all walks of life, include people of all races and ethnicities, all ages, all socioeconomic statuses, and from all parts of the country. Even with the positive steps that have been taken over recent decades, LGBTQIA people continue to face significant barriers to accessing healthcare services including discrimination from insurers and medical providers, as well as the delays or denials of care. The healthcare needs of LGBTQIA […]