The best science, stories, and strategies related to this month’s national health themes. Check back throughout the month for new additions.
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simple tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults; An estimated 6.7 million Americans (or approximately 1 in 9) age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in 2023. Get the facts on symptoms, support, and treatment here.
- Action Alert! June is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month – Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is observed in June as an opportunity to spread the word about and discuss Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Learn how to observe this important month here.
- Alzheimer’s 101 – Get the basics of Alzheimer’s disease and answers to the most frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s over at the National Institute on Aging.
- Key Alzheimer’s Statistics for 2023 – The Alzheimer’s Association has put together a report on Alzheimer’s prevalence, mortality & morbidity, caregiving, costs, and more.
- You or a Loved One Received an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis. Now What? – Get expert tips on how to safely live with dementia and how to care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
- 7 Organizations Working on Alzheimer’s that Everyone Should Know About – Alzheimer’s Association. National Institute on Aging (NIA). Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. BrightFocus Foundation. Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF).
- Alzheimer’s Personal Stories – Read the personal stories of families, caregivers, and professionals.
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
- Alzheimer’s Association launches enhanced online resources to support families affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Study of green tea and other molecules uncovers new therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s.
- Take care of your senses: The science behind sensory loss and dementia risk.
- Medicare will limit coverage of Alzheimer’s drugs
- More people are living with dementia. What are the signs and risk factors?
- Bernie Sanders says price of Alzheimer’s treatment is unconscionable, calls on HHS to take action
- House Democrats press Medicare agency for more info on covering Alzheimer’s drugs
- Memory Problems Linked to Slower Rate of Decline in Alzheimer’s
- Scientists may be able to help Alzheimer’s patients by boosting memory consolidation
- FDA advisers to discuss full approval of Alzheimer’s drug
- Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi backed by FDA advisers for full approval
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Asexual, & Intersex (LGBTQAI+) Pride Month
According to Gallup, the percentage of U.S. adults who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or something other than heterosexual (also referred to generally as queer), has increased to a new high of 7.1%. Learn more about the queer and allied community, the meaning of pride month, and the state of LGBTQAI+ health care quality and access here.
- Action Alert! June is LGBTQAI+ Pride Month – Pride Month is celebrated by the queer and allied community every June as a tribute to those who were involved in the Stonewall Riots. Learn about the history of pride, browse national events, and hear from people who were actually AT Stonewall fighting for their rights in 1969.
- Health Care Access for LGBTQAI+ People – Learn about things LGBTQAI+ youth should be considering regarding their health. Get the full picture of the state of health care for the queer population with all the stats and graphs you could ever want. Learn about the major physical and mental health disparities affecting this population.
- The Definitive Roundup of National Anti-Queer Legislation – The Human Rights Campaign has updated this information for 2023.
- LGBTQAI+ Role Models – LGBTQAI+ kids want role models – and elder queer folks have a lot of advice on that front. Here too is a list of queer athletes, artists, politicians, and activists that make powerful role models for kids.
- Queer Joy Central – Hear from 15 LGBTQAI+ people on what is bringing them joy this season. In the mood for a fun history lesson? Learn about the history of drag shows here.
- LGBTQAI+ Personal Stories – Check out this archive of Coming Out stories plus the collected reflections of LGBTQAI+ allies.
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
- Largest U.S. gay rights group issues Florida travel advisory.
- US to consider visa restrictions over Uganda anti-gay law.
- LGBTQ+ Pride month kicks off with protests, parades, parties
- Where it’s a crime to be gay: A visual guide to where LGBTQ rights are repressed
- Biden unveils LGBTQ+ proposals, but postpones White House Pride Month event due to poor air quality
- Human Rights Campaign declares national state of emergency for LGBTQ people
- So, You Misgendered Someone. Here’s How To Address The Mistake.
- Anti-trans bills and political climates are taking a significant mental health toll on trans and nonbinary people – even during Pride
- ‘Still a lot of hurdles’: For LGBTQ+ couples, the path to in vitro fertilization is harder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month
It’s normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after a traumatic event (also called “trauma”). Most people start to feel better after a few weeks or months, but if it’s been longer than a few months and thoughts and feelings from the trauma are upsetting you or causing problems in your life, you may be one of the 6% of people nationwide struggling with PTSD. Get the latest on living with PTSD here.
- Action Alert! June is PTSD Awareness Month – National PTSD Awareness Month is observed in June and it ushers in an array of awareness campaigns run for the benefit of PTSD survivors. Learn the history and how to observe the month here.
- PTSD 101 – What exactly is PTSD? Who develops it, and what are the symptoms? Can someone with PTSD get better? Learn the answers to the basics of PTSD from the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
- PTSD By the Numbers – Get the updated statistics on the prevalence of PTSD and traumatic events here.
- Resources for Recognizing and Handling Trauma – Check out Give An Hour’s hub for emotional well-being resources, which includes fact sheets on silent suffering, toxic positivity, and more.
- Treatment and Support for PTSD – Learn about all the available treatment options and their efficacy over at the National Center for PTSD. Use this list of virtual locator tools to find a provider who specializes in PTSD. Listen to what this expert had to say on some of the top PTSD frequently asked questions, and peruse PTSD resources for family and friends.
- PTSD Personal Stories – The Anxiety & Depression Association of America collects personal stories on PTSD and more here. Out Of The Storm, a physician-run digital resource for survivors of Complex PTSD, collects personal stories here.
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
- PTSD, other mental health ills haunt gunshot survivors.
- New study reveals links between a type of sleep and a reduction in anxiety in people with PTSD.
- Can You Get PTSD From Emotional Abuse?
- Technology changing how PTSD is treated
- PTSD, Anxiety Linked to Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
- There Is Help for PTSD
- A Guide to Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- I became a mom at 15, and served in the army for more than 20 years. I’ve learned that PTSD looks different for women.
Juneteenth National Independence Day
The freedom of African Americans from slavery in the U.S. in 1865 is celebrated on the holiday Juneteenth on June 19. Learn about the holiday and how to observe it here.
- Action Alert! June 19 is Juneteenth – Get the timeline of major events, FAQ, importance, and observance traditions here.
- The History of Juneteenth – The National Museum of African American History and Culture has put together a primer, reading list, resources for kids, and more.
- How to Celebrate Juneteenth Without Misappropriating It – An expert weighs in in an interview published by NPR.
- Chef-Curated Juneteenth Recipes – The New York Times lays out over fifty traditional dishes.
- Juneteenth 2023 Events Across America – Browse Juneteenth events by city, state, county, and other useful filters here.
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
Migraines are not just a bad headaches. They are a disabling disease that affects 39 million people in the United States. Get the facts below.
- Action Alert! June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month – National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (#MHAM) honors the headache and migraine communities that are continuously working together for headache disorders be recognized as legitimate neurobiological diseases. Learn how to observe and spread the word here.
- Migraine 101 – The American Migraine association breaks down the basics of what migraines are, who gets them, how they impact life, and more.
- How to Prevent a Migraine – Learn all about preventive medications for migraine and how to create a preventive treatment strategy.
- 7 Tips for Managing Migraine After Diagnosis – Manage your migraine in the long term with these tips, including finding a supportive care team and trying alternative treatments that work with your medication plan.
- Migraine Resources for Patients and Caregivers – Check out this resource library which includes detailed fact sheets and webinars on insurance navigation, caregiving tips, and more.
- Locate Clinical Trials for Migraine – This matching tool for new migraine treatment trials was put together by the Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients.
- Migraine Personal Stories – Hundreds of people have submitted their personal stories living with migraines to migraine.com.
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
- Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman Says her migraine story taught her how to advocate for herself & others.
- FDA approves Pfizer’s new nasal spray treatment for migraines.
- I get six week ‘hangovers’ thanks to chronic migraines
- When Should I Go to the ER for a Migraine?
- Why People Don’t Take Their Migraine Meds (Even If They Work)
- How Long Do Migraines Last?
- Medical professionals raise awareness during National Migraine Awareness Month
- 11 Migraines Remedies To Help Tackle Symptoms
- Are Migraines Hereditary?
- Does Caffeine Help Migraines?
- How wildfires and climate change impact headache and migraine symptoms