Healthy Canberra: What’s On In November 2016
We’re almost on the last stretch of Spring– we hope you are enjoying the season before we enter the hot months of summer!
It’s going to be another busy month for the health sector this coming November. Below are some of the health observances and as always, we encourage you to take part in whichever way you can– hold fundraising events, send contributions, or even via social media by helping spread the word!
1–30 November
Movember – “Grow a Mo (ustache), Save a Bro” – this is the central theme of the annual November event, tackling men’s health and addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention. This is a fun and meaningful fundraising event. Interested? Visit the Australia November website to register: https://au.movember.com/get-involved/moustaches
Lung Health Awareness Month – November is International Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A perfect time to encourage Australians who have been touched by lung cancer to come together and help raise awareness about this disease.
Visit their Facebook page to learn how you can take part in this meaningful observance.
National Asbestos Awareness Month – Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world (Source: Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency). This November, it pays to know the dangers of asbestos in the home and how to avoid exposure to it. Visit this website for a wealth of resources: AsbestosAawareness.com.au
6-12 Australian Food Safety Week
This year’s theme of Australian Food Safety Week focuses on ‘Raw and risky’ foods such as unpasteurised milk, raw eggs, bean/seed sprouts, frozen berries and lettuce.
Learn more about food safety basics, handling risky foods, food safety on the move and everything about food handling via their website for information you can use year-round: http://foodsafety.asn.au/
12 November – World Pneumonia Day
World Pneumonia Day aims to raise awareness about this disease, which is world’s leading infectious killer of children under age 5. In Australia, Pneumonia-like illness, including pneumonia and influenza, is among the top 15 contributing causes of deaths in Australia, according to Australia Bureau of Statistics report on leading causes of death.
Visit the Stop Pneumonia website for more information.
14 November – World Diabetes Day
This year’s World Diabetes Day campaign focuses on “promoting the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications”.
Visit their website to learn more: http://www.idf.org/wdd-index/index.php
Or browse our articles about diabetes and oral health:
16 November – World COPD Day
According to the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), more than one in 20 Australians 55 years or older has Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and it is the fifth leading cause of death is Australia. COPD is a long-term disease of the lungs which causes shortness of breath.
Learn more about this disease and how you can help in spreading awareness via Lung Foundation Australia website.