As we kick-off 2019, it is a perfect time to set new goals to work towards throughout the year, as well as to increase awareness of many health-related topics. January is a month made up of National Healthy Weight Week and National Cervical Health Awareness Month as well as many other important awareness efforts!
National Healthy Weight Week (January 21st−28th)
What better way to begin the New Year than to focus on promoting your own wellness by making healthy choices? National Healthy Weight Week occurs from January 21st to 28th in 2019! This week is celebrated by encouraging the consumption of nutritious food and physical activity! National Healthy Weight Week is not only about eating well and getting active, but also encourages participants to increase their positivity and focus on mental health [i]. How can you participate this upcoming National Healthy Weight Week?
- Feel more energetic and well rested by catching up on sleep
- Set a new goal for yourself! Setting measurable and attainable goals can help provide something to work towards
- Try out a new healthy recipe or a different cuisine
Find a buddy! Having someone to hit the gym, share healthy meals or just to chat with can help keep your motivation up (not to mention make activities more enjoyable!)
National Cervical Health Awareness Month
There are approximately 12,000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. Although there are many women diagnosed each year, cervical cancer is highly preventable and there are many measures that can be taken such as vaccination and screening [ii].
The purpose of National Cervical Health Awareness Month is to increase knowledge and awareness of action that can be taken to prevent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. A major goal of the awareness effort this month is to increase the number of women that utilize detection tools for cervical cancer and are screened. Another focus of this effort is to encourage eligible women to receive a vaccination for HPV, a virus that can lead to cervical cancer [iii]. How can you spread the word and help to increase the utilization of preventative measures?
- Encourage women in your life to get their annual well woman visit [iv].
- Write letters, emails or call your local media outlets to advocate for coverage of National Cervical Health Awareness Month [v].
- Post on social media! Post a #SmearforSmear photo on social media platforms with tips or encouragement to raise awareness of the importance of screening [vi].
Educate yourself and others! Learn more about preventative measures, signs and symptoms of Cervical Cancer on the American Cancer Society’s website (www.cancer.org) [vii].
References:
[i] 15 Ways to Celebrate Healthy Weight Week. Retrieved from https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=d215479d-adb1-43bc-b045-f4b849606da1
[ii] Get Screened. Retrieved from https://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/get-screened-january-cervical-health-awareness-month
[iii] Cervical Health Awareness Month. Retrieved from http://www.nccc-online.org/hpvcervical-cancer/cervical-health-awareness-month/
[iv] January Cervical Health Awareness Month. Retrieved from https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/JanuaryToolkit.aspx
[v] Cervical Health Awareness Month. Retrieved from http://www.nccc-online.org/hpvcervical-cancer/cervical-health-awareness-month/
[vi] #SmearforSmear 2019. Retrieved from https://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-cancer-prevention-week/smearforsmear
[vii] Cervical Health Awareness Month. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/special-coverage/cervical-health-awareness-month.html
