AWARENESS MONTHS
IDEAL - 15-20 MINUTE PRESENTATIONS | 40-60 MIN INTERVIEWS |
Awareness Months by Condition and Prevalence
October Awareness Month (AM):
Chronic Pain – National Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Health Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈50 million adults (20% of the population)
Depression – Depression SCREENING - 1ST WEEK IN OCTOBER | U.S. Incidence: ≈21 million adults (8.4% of the population)
Breast Cancer – Breast Cancer Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈297,790 new invasive cases annually (≈1 in 8 women)
Liver Cancer – Liver Cancer Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈41,210 new cases annually (≈0.012% of the population)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈1 in 4 women and ≈1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner violence.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈3,400 deaths annually
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈24,000 stillbirths annually
National Spina Bifida Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈166,000 people living with Spina Bifida
Eye Injury Prevention Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈2.4 million eye injuries annually
Healthy Lung Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈16 million people affected by lung disease, including COPD
November Awareness Month (AM):
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Veterans Day / Military Family Appreciation Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈12 million adults annually (3.6% of the population)
Alzheimer’s Disease – Alzheimer’s Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈6.7 million people (2.0% of the population)
Epilepsy – Epilepsy Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈3.4 million people (1.03% of the population)
Crohn’s Disease – Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈780,000 people (0.24% of the population)
Diabetes / Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) – Diabetes Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈37.3 million people with diabetes (11.3% of the population)
DPN Prevalence: ≈50% of people with diabetes, affecting ≈18.65 million in the U.S.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – COPD Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈16 million diagnosed cases (6.4% of the adult population)
Lung Cancer – Lung Cancer Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈230,000 new cases annually
Stomach Cancer – Stomach Cancer Awareness Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈26,500 new cases annually
National Hospice and Palliative Care Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈1.61 million patients received hospice care in 2022
Bladder Health Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈83,000 new cases of bladder cancer annually
National Family Caregivers Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈53 million caregivers in the U.S.
National Healthy Skin Month | U.S. Incidence: ≈9,500 people diagnosed with skin cancer daily
National Family Health History Day (November 23, Thanksgiving Day)
December Awareness Month (AM):
December highlights HIV/AIDS AM, World AIDS Day, National Handwashing Awareness Week.
January Awareness Month (AM):
January focuses on Cervical Cancer AM, National Birth Defects Prevention, National Blood Donor Month, Thyroid Awareness Month, Glaucoma AM, Mental Wellness Month.
February Awareness Month (AM):
February observes National Cancer Prevention Month, American Heart Month, National Children’s Dental Health Month, Age-Related Macular Degeneration AM, and Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
March Awareness Month (AM):
March emphasizes Multiple Sclerosis AM (≈1 million affected in the U.S.), Traumatic Brain Injury AM, National Sleep Awareness, Colorectal Cancer AM (≈150,000 new cases/year in the U.S.), National Endometriosis AM, National Kidney Month, and National Nutrition Month.
April Awareness Month (AM):
April is dedicated to Stress AM, Parkinson’s AM, National Autism AM, National Minority Health Month, Testicular Cancer AM, National Donate Life Month, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) AM.
May Awareness Month (AM):
May raises awareness for ALS AM, Mental Health AM (≈21% of U.S. adults with mental illness), Neuropathy Awareness Week, Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, National Stroke Awareness Month, Lupus AM, National Asthma and Allergy AM, National Osteoporosis Month, Hepatitis Awareness Month, and National Women’s Health Week.
June Awareness Month (AM):
June includes Cancer Survivors Month, PTSD AM (≈12 million affected/year in the U.S.), Migraine and Headache AM, National Cancer Survivors Day, Men’s Health Month, Scoliosis AM, Cataract AM, and Aphasia AM.
July Awareness Month (AM):
July focuses on Minority Mental Health Month, Juvenile Arthritis AM, UV Safety Month, National Cord Blood AM, International Group B Strep Awareness Month.
August Awareness Month (AM):
August emphasizes National Immunization AM, Psoriasis AM (≈7.5 million U.S. cases), Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, National Breastfeeding Month, and Gastroparesis AM.
These awareness months provide valuable opportunities for education, advocacy, and support, particularly for conditions related to pain and mental health, which affect millions worldwide.
September Awareness Month (AM):
September is a critical month for numerous health conditions, highlighting Pain Awareness (affecting millions globally), Prostate Cancer (1 in 8 men in the U.S.), National Sickle Cell AM (≈100,000 in the U.S.), National Recovery Month, , National Yoga AM, National Cholesterol Education Month, National Atrial Fibrillation AM (≈6 million U.S. cases), National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome AM (≈5-10% of women), Ovarian Cancer AM, Blood Cancer AM (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma combined ≈1.5 million living with or in remission), Suicide Prevention Week (≈48,000 deaths/year in the U.S.), Childhood Cancer AM, and National Pain AM.
AWARENESS MONTHS - OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER
1. Chronic Pain
Awareness: Related to National Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Health Month (October), highlighting the importance of physical therapy and chiropractic care in managing pain and improving quality of life.
U.S. Prevalence: ≈50 million adults suffer from chronic pain | ≈20% of the population
Florida Prevalence: ≈4 million adults report chronic pain | ≈18%
Georgia Prevalence: ≈2 million adults affected | ≈18%
ICD-10 Code: G89.4 (Chronic pain syndrome), G89.29 (Other chronic pain)
Medical Cannabis Use: Cannabis (THC and CBD) is widely accepted as an alternative for managing chronic pain, such as arthritis, back pain, and neuropathy.
2. Depression
Awareness: Depression Awareness Month (October). The first week of October is dedicated to Depression Screening, highlighting the importance of mental health checkups.
U.S. Prevalence: ≈21 million adults report major depressive episodes annually | ≈8.4% of adults
Florida Prevalence: ≈2.7 million adults affected | ≈12.5%
Georgia Prevalence: ≈1.3 million adults affected | ≈12.3%
ICD-10 Code: F32.9 (Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified), F33.9 (Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified)
Medical Cannabis Use: Cannabis, particularly CBD, is explored for alleviating depressive symptoms through interactions with the endocannabinoid system.
For Depression screening, common tools are PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). FYI - I feel that the tools to assess Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) are fairly inaccurate due to poor consideration of medical goals in the scoring.
3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Awareness: PTSD Awareness is tied to Veterans Day (November 11th) and Military Family Appreciation Month in November, honoring the sacrifices and mental health challenges veterans and their families face.
U.S. Prevalence: ≈12 million adults annually | ≈3.6% of the population
Florida Prevalence: ≈900,000 adults affected | ≈4.2%
Georgia Prevalence: ≈450,000 adults affected | ≈4.3%
ICD-10 Code: F43.10 (Post-traumatic stress disorder, unspecified)
Medical Cannabis Use: THC and CBD have shown potential benefits in managing PTSD symptoms such as anxiety, nightmares, and hypervigilance.
4. Alzheimer’s Disease
Awareness: Alzheimer’s Awareness Month (November) focuses on the neurodegenerative disease that affects memory and cognition, with initiatives for research and family support.
U.S. Prevalence: ≈6.7 million people affected | ≈2.0% of the population
Florida Prevalence: ≈580,000 people affected | ≈2.7%
Georgia Prevalence: ≈150,000 people affected | ≈1.4%
ICD-10 Code: G30.9 (Alzheimer’s disease, unspecified)
Medical Cannabis Use: CBD and THC have potential to manage agitation, sleep disturbances, and appetite loss in Alzheimer’s patients.
5. Epilepsy
Awareness: Epilepsy Awareness Month (November) raises awareness of seizure disorders and highlights advances in treatment.
U.S. Prevalence: ≈3.4 million people live with epilepsy | ≈1.03% of the population
Florida Prevalence: ≈400,000 people affected | ≈1.87%
Georgia Prevalence: ≈110,000 people affected | ≈1.04%
ICD-10 Code: G40.909 (Epilepsy, unspecified, not intractable)
Medical Cannabis Use: Cannabidiol (CBD) is FDA-approved for epilepsy, especially for treatment-resistant forms like Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
6. Crohn’s Disease
Awareness: Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month (November) focuses on inflammatory bowel diseases that affect millions of people worldwide.
U.S. Prevalence: ≈780,000 Americans live with Crohn's | ≈0.24% of the population
Florida Prevalence: ≈50,000 affected | ≈0.23%
Georgia Prevalence: ≈28,000 affected | ≈0.27%
ICD-10 Code: K50.90 (Crohn’s disease, unspecified, without complications)
Medical Cannabis Use: Cannabis is used to manage chronic pain, inflammation, and to reduce the need for steroids and infusions in Crohn’s patients.
7. Breast Cancer
Awareness: Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) focuses on raising awareness of early detection, treatment options, and ongoing research for a cure.
U.S. Prevalence: ≈297,790 new invasive cases annually | ≈0.09% of the population
Florida Prevalence: ≈19,860 new cases annually | ≈0.09%
Georgia Prevalence: ≈9,400 new cases annually | ≈0.09%
ICD-10 Code: C50.919 (Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of unspecified female breast)
Medical Cannabis Use: Cannabis is commonly used for managing cancer-related pain, nausea from chemotherapy, and improving appetite.
8. Liver Cancer
Awareness: Liver Cancer Awareness Month (October) highlights the importance of prevention, early detection, and treatment options for liver cancer.
U.S. Prevalence: ≈41,210 new cases annually | ≈0.012% of the population
Florida Prevalence: ≈3,300 new cases annually | ≈0.015%
Georgia Prevalence: ≈1,300 new cases annually | ≈0.012%
ICD-10 Code: C22.8 (Malignant neoplasm of liver, primary)
Medical Cannabis Use: Cannabis is used for symptom management in liver cancer patients, particularly for pain, nausea, and appetite loss.
9. Diabetes / Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)
Awareness: Diabetes Awareness Month (November) raises awareness about the risks and management of diabetes and its complications, such as peripheral neuropathy.
U.S. Prevalence: ≈37.3 million people affected by diabetes | ≈11.3% of the population
Florida Prevalence: ≈2.4 million people affected | ≈12.4%
Georgia Prevalence: ≈1.3 million people affected | ≈12.4%
Prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN):
U.S.: DPN affects ≈50% of people with diabetes, meaning ≈18.65 million people in the U.S. live with DPN.
Global: DPN prevalence is estimated to be between 40-60% of people with diabetes.
ICD-10 Code: E11.9 (Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications), E11.42 (Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic polyneuropathy)
Medical Cannabis Use: Cannabis is researched for its potential to manage diabetic neuropathy symptoms such as chronic pain, numbness, and inflammation.
10. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Awareness: COPD Awareness Month (November) highlights the importance of early detection, treatment, and management of this chronic respiratory disease.
U.S. Prevalence: ≈16 million people diagnosed with COPD | ≈6.4% of the adult population
Global Prevalence: ≈384 million people affected worldwide
Global Mortality: ≈3.23 million deaths annually (≈5% of all global deaths)
ICD-10 Code: J44.9 (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified)
Medical Cannabis Use: While smoking cannabis is not recommended for COPD patients, cannabis may be used with caution through other methods like tinctures or edibles to help manage chronic pain, anxiety, and improve sleep quality.
Global Population: ≈8.05B | U.S. Population: ≈335M |China: ≈1.42B | India: ≈1.42B | United States: ≈335M | Indonesia: ≈277M | Pakistan: ≈240M | Nigeria: ≈225M | Brazil: ≈217M | Bangladesh: ≈171M | Russia: ≈145M | Mexico: ≈130M | Japan: ≈124M | Ethiopia: ≈127M | Philippines: ≈118M | Egypt: ≈112M | Vietnam: ≈100M | DR Congo: ≈103M | Turkey: ≈87M | Iran: ≈89M | Germany: ≈83M | Thailand: ≈71M | UK: ≈69M | France: ≈66M | Italy: ≈58M | South Africa: ≈60M | Tanzania: ≈67M | Myanmar: ≈56M | South Korea: ≈51M | Colombia: ≈53M | Kenya: ≈54M | Spain: ≈47M (JAMAICA APPROX 3M)
California: ≈39.5M | Texas: ≈30.2M | Florida: ≈22.6M | New York: ≈19.9M | Pennsylvania: ≈12.8M | Illinois: ≈12.5M | Ohio: ≈11.7M | Georgia: ≈10.9M | North Carolina: ≈10.8M | Michigan: ≈10.1M | New Jersey: ≈9.4M | Virginia: ≈8.8M | Washington: ≈7.9M | Arizona: ≈7.6M | Massachusetts: ≈7M | Tennessee: ≈7M | Indiana: ≈6.8M | Missouri: ≈6.2M | Maryland: ≈6.2M | Wisconsin: ≈5.9M | Colorado: ≈5.9M | Minnesota: ≈5.8M | South Carolina: ≈5.4M | Alabama: ≈5.1M | Louisiana: ≈4.6M | Kentucky: ≈4.5M | Oregon: ≈4.3M | Oklahoma: ≈4M | Connecticut: ≈3.6M | Utah: ≈3.4M | Iowa: ≈3.2M | Nevada: ≈3.2M | Arkansas: ≈3M | Mississippi: ≈2.9M | Kansas: ≈2.9M | New Mexico: ≈2.1M | Nebraska: ≈1.9M | West Virginia: ≈1.8M | Idaho: ≈1.9M | Hawaii: ≈1.4M | Maine: ≈1.4M | New Hampshire: ≈1.4M | Montana: ≈1.1M | Rhode Island: ≈1.1M | Delaware: ≈1M | South Dakota: ≈900K | North Dakota: ≈780K | Alaska: ≈730K | Vermont: ≈640K | Wyoming: ≈580K
October:
Breast Cancer Awareness Month | Depression Awareness Month | Domestic Violence Awareness Month | Liver Cancer Awareness Month | National Chiropractic Health Month | National Physical Therapy Month | Healthy Lung Month | Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month | Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month | National Spina Bifida Awareness Month | Eye Injury Prevention Month | National Bullying Prevention Month | National ADHD Awareness Month
Weeks/Days in October:
Mental Illness Awareness Week – October 1-7 | World Mental Health Day – October 10 | National Depression Screening Day – October 5 | Bone and Joint Health Action Week – October 12-20 | International Day of Older Persons – October 1 | National Coming Out Day – October 11 | Veterans Day – October 27 (some regions)
November:
American Diabetes Month | Epilepsy Awareness Month | Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month | National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month | Lung Cancer Awareness Month | Stomach Cancer Awareness Month | National Hospice and Palliative Care Month | Bladder Health Month | National Family Caregivers Month | National Healthy Skin Month | Military Family Month | Veterans Awareness Month | National Adoption Awareness Month
Weeks/Days in November:
National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Week – November 1-7 | National Family Health History Day – November 23 (Thanksgiving) | Veterans Day – November 11 | Great American Smokeout – Third Thursday of November
December:
National Influenza Vaccination Week – December 1-7 | International Day of Persons with Disabilities – December 3 | Safe Toys and Gifts Month | National Handwashing Awareness Week – December 1-7 | Universal Human Rights Month
FLORIDA / GA QCs
Florida Qualified Conditions:
Cancer | Epilepsy | Glaucoma | HIV/AIDS | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) | Crohn’s Disease | Parkinson’s Disease | Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | Chronic Nonmalignant Pain | Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those above | Terminal Illness | Chronic pain related to a qualifying condition | Seizures | Severe and persistent muscle spasms
Neurologic Conditions:
Epilepsy | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) | Parkinson’s Disease | Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | Seizures | Severe and persistent muscle spasms
Pain Conditions:
Cancer | Chronic Nonmalignant Pain | Chronic pain related to a qualifying condition
Other Categories:
Glaucoma | HIV/AIDS | Crohn’s Disease | Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those above | Terminal Illness
Georgia Qualified Conditions (Low-THC Oil):
Cancer (end-stage or related wasting illness or severe pain) | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) | Seizure disorders (related to epilepsy or trauma-related head injuries) | Multiple Sclerosis (severe or end-stage) | Crohn’s Disease | Mitochondrial Disease | Parkinson’s Disease (severe or end-stage) | Sickle Cell Disease (severe or end-stage) | Tourette’s Syndrome (severe) | Autism Spectrum Disorder (under 18 or severe in adults) | Epidermolysis Bullosa | Alzheimer’s Disease (severe or end-stage) | AIDS/HIV | Peripheral Neuropathy (severe or end-stage) | PTSD (post-traumatic stress) | Intractable Pain | Hospice Care
Neurologic Conditions:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) | Seizure Disorders (related to epilepsy or trauma-related head injuries) | Multiple Sclerosis (severe or end-stage) | Parkinson’s Disease (severe or end-stage) | Tourette’s Syndrome (severe) | Autism Spectrum Disorder (under 18 or severe in adults) | Alzheimer’s Disease (severe or end-stage) | Mitochondrial Disease
Pain Conditions:
Cancer (end-stage or related wasting illness or severe pain) | Crohn’s Disease | Sickle Cell Disease (severe or end-stage) | Peripheral Neuropathy (severe or end-stage) | Intractable Pain
Other Categories:
AIDS/HIV | Epidermolysis Bullosa | PTSD (post-traumatic stress) | Hospice Care (patients in hospice care, regardless of diagnosis)
Pain Conditions:
Chronic Nonmalignant Pain: ≈50M (U.S.) | ≈4M (FL) | Chronic Pain Related to a Qualifying Condition: Related to chronic pain stats (U.S.) | Related to chronic pain stats (FL)
Cancer: ≈1.9M new cases yearly (U.S.) | ≈154K new cases yearly (FL)
Psychiatric (Psych) Conditions:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): ≈12M adults annually (U.S.) | ≈900K (FL)
Neurologic Conditions:
Epilepsy: ≈3.4M (U.S.) | ≈400K (FL) | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): ≈30K (U.S.) | ≈1.5K (FL) | Parkinson’s Disease: ≈1M (U.S.) | ≈64K (FL) | Multiple Sclerosis (MS): ≈1M (U.S.) | ≈25K (FL) | Seizures: Part of epilepsy population (U.S.) | Part of epilepsy population (FL) | Severe and Persistent Muscle Spasms: Common in MS/ALS patients (U.S.) | Common in MS/ALS patients (FL)
Other Categories:
Glaucoma: ≈3M (U.S.) | ≈200K (FL) | HIV/AIDS: ≈1.2M (U.S.) | ≈120K (FL) | Crohn’s Disease: ≈780K (U.S.) | ≈50K (FL) | Medical Conditions of the Same Kind or Class: No specific stats | Terminal Illness: Dependent on disease (U.S.) | Dependent on disease (FL)
Pain Conditions:
Cancer (end-stage or related wasting illness or severe pain): ≈1.9M new cases yearly (U.S.) | ≈56K new cases yearly (GA) | Crohn’s Disease: ≈780K (U.S.) | ≈28K (GA) | Sickle Cell Disease (severe or end-stage): ≈100K (U.S.) | ≈7.5K (GA) | Peripheral Neuropathy (severe or end-stage): ≈20M (U.S.) | ≈600K (GA) | Intractable Pain: ≈20% of U.S. adults report chronic pain | ≈1.7M (GA)
Neurologic Conditions:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): ≈30K (U.S.) | ≈1.5K (GA) | Seizure Disorders (related to epilepsy or trauma-related head injuries): ≈3.4M (U.S.) | ≈110K (GA) | Multiple Sclerosis (severe or end-stage): ≈1M (U.S.) | ≈25K (GA) | Parkinson’s Disease (severe or end-stage): ≈1M (U.S.) | ≈23K (GA) | Tourette’s Syndrome (severe): ≈200K with severe symptoms (U.S.) | Unknown (GA) | Autism Spectrum Disorder (severe): ≈5.4M (U.S.) | ≈150K (GA) | Alzheimer’s Disease (severe or end-stage): ≈6.7M (U.S.) | ≈150K (GA) | Mitochondrial Disease: ≈20K affected (U.S.) | Unknown (GA)
Psychiatric (Psych) Conditions:
PTSD (post-traumatic stress): ≈12M adults annually (U.S.) | ≈450K (GA)
Rare Conditions:
Epidermolysis Bullosa: ≈30K (U.S.) | Unknown (GA) | Mitochondrial Disease: ≈20K (U.S.) | Unknown (GA)
Other Categories:
AIDS/HIV: ≈1.2M (U.S.) | ≈58K (GA) | Hospice Care (patients in hospice care, regardless of diagnosis): ≈1.6M (U.S.) | ≈50K (GA)
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