Each month we highlight National Health Observances (NHOs) that align with our mission to improve health across the United States. To help you spread the word, we also provide links to resources that you can use to promote these NHOs. This month, we’re raising awareness about immunization, children’s eye health, and breastfeeding.
Below you’ll find links to resources that will help you advocate for better health in your community.
- National Immunization Awareness Month
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sponsors National Immunization Awareness Month in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. Join the conversation by using CDC’s toolkit for reaching parents and patients and sharable graphics to spread the word about National Immunization Awareness Month on your social media channels. You can also share our consumer-friendly MyHealthfinder vaccine resources to help people learn about vaccines they need to stay healthy. And take a look at the Healthy People 2030 Vaccination objectives to learn about national efforts to increase vaccination rates.
- Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Each August the American Academy of Ophthalmology supports Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month — an opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting children’s vision. Use these kid-friendly resources from the National Eye Institute (NEI) to help children learn about eye health. And to help people learn how to protect their kids’ eye health, share our MyHealthfinder resource on getting your child’s vision checked. If you’re interested in national efforts to improve eye health and vision, take a look at the Healthy People 2030 objectives related to sensory and communication disorders.
- National Breastfeeding Month
The United States Breastfeeding Committee sponsors National Breastfeeding Month in August to promote the benefits of breastfeeding and build a landscape of support for babies and families. This year the NHO theme is Together We Do Great Things! And August 25 – 31 is Black Breastfeeding Week — a time to highlight lactation support built on racial equity, cultural empowerment, and community engagement. Get involved by sharing our MyHealthfinder resource on breastfeeding — along with tips for eating healthy while breastfeeding. And be sure to check out the Healthy People 2030 Infants objectives to learn about national efforts to increase breastfeeding rates.
We hope you’ll use these resources to promote important NHOs in your communities. Together, we can take steps to improve health nationwide.