May 2024 Observances
These are updated throughout the month, so please check back often!
Month-Long Observances
Arthritis Awareness Month
Better Hearing & Speech Month
Healthy Vision Month
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
National Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month
National High Blood Pressure Education Month
National Nurses Month
National Physical Fitness & Sports Month
National Stroke Awareness Month
National Trauma Awareness Month
National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
National Women's Health Month
Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Healthy Vision Month
Join The National Eye Institute for Healthy Vision Month 2024! This year, they are shining a light on vision loss and mental health — and sharing steps people with a visual impairment can take to thrive in their daily lives.
Help spread the word using their toolkit of personal stories, sample social media posts and graphics (including alt text), and sample newsletter text.
#HealthyVisionMonth
#EyeHealthEducation
Hepatitis Awareness Month
The month of May is designated as Hepatitis Awareness Month. During May, CDC and our public health partners work to shed light on the impact of these hidden epidemics by raising awareness of viral hepatitis while encouraging testing and vaccination. Hepatitis Awareness Month activities help to improve everyone’s understanding of viral hepatitis transmission and risk factors and to decrease social stigma against viral hepatitis.
This toolkit provides social media graphics, sample captions, and other resources for public use.
#HepatitisAwarenessMonth
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Throughout the month, NAMI actively participates in this national movement, dedicated to eradicating stigma, extending support, fostering public education and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
This toolkit provides social media graphics, sample captions, and other resources for public use.
#TakeAMentalHealthMoment
#MentalHealthMonth
National Stroke Awareness Month
These selected messages and tools include information about stroke signs and symptoms, the importance of a F.A.S.T. response during a stroke, and stroke treatment.
Help DHDSP spread stroke awareness by sharing the tools found on these webpages. Non-Hispanic Blacks have the highest rates of stroke mortality in the United States. We urge our partners in public health and health care to help DHDSP close the disparities gap.
This toolkit from CDC includes sample social media messages and graphics. Many are available in English and Spanish.
Week-Long Observances
National Physical Education and Sport Week (May 1-7)
Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 5-11)
National Women's Health Week (May 12-18)
National Hurricane Preparedness Week
This toolkit from NWS will help you spread the word about Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 5-May 11, 2024) on social media! Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation. The toolkit includes graphics with alt text and sample social media posts for Facebook and X, in English and Spanish.
#HurricaneStrong
#HurricanePrep
National Women's Health Week
Every May beginning on Mother’s Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office on Women’s Health (OWH) leads National Women’s Health Week (NWHW). This year, NWHW takes place May 12 – 18th. This observance aims to highlight women’s health issues and priorities and encourage women of all ages to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
This toolkit from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers resources for each day of the week, from Empowering Women in their Health Journey to Women and Heart Health.
Awareness Days
National Heat Stroke Prevention Day (May 1)
World Asthma Day (May 2)
World Hand Hygiene Day (May 5)
National Fentanyl Awareness Day (May 7)
National School Nurse Day (May 8)
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (May 18)
National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (May19)
National Hepatitis Testing Day (May 19)
National Fentanyl Awareness Day
May 7 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Now in its third year, National Fentanyl Awareness Day brings together individuals, parents, teachers, corporations, influencers, community groups, and government entities to help put an end to this emergency. This toolkit provides social media graphics and post copy, sample email drafts, press release template, and guides for film screenings.
#NationalFentanylAwarenessDay
#JustSayKNOW
#NoRandomPills
National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
Led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD) is observed on May 18. This event is an opportunity to recognize the many volunteers, community members, health professionals, and scientists who are working together to find a safe and effective vaccine to prevent HIV. It is also a day to educate communities about the importance of HIV vaccine research.
This toolkit includes social media graphics and sample posts for Facebook, X, and Instagram.
#HVAD
National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
May 19 is National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NAPIHAAD). Share the social media posts in this toolkit to help spark conversations about HIV and reduce HIV stigma in Asian and Pacific Islander communities. You can also find and share Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign resources for Pacific Islander people.
#NAPIHAAD
#APIMay19
#StopHIVTogether
National Hepatitis Testing Day
The month of May is designated as Hepatitis Awareness Month in the United States, and May 19th is Hepatitis Testing Day. During May, CDC and our public health partners work to shed light on the impact of these hidden epidemics by raising awareness of viral hepatitis while encouraging testing and vaccination.
CDC offers a social media graphic and sample post copy for you to share.
#NationalHepatitisTestingDay