International Health Days

Month
January

February

Day
Event
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
4
World Braille Day
23
27

Womens Healthy Weight Day

World Leprosy Day

28

International Fun at Work Day

Healthy Lifestyles Awareness Month

Reproductive Health Month
Condom Awareness Month
4
World Cancer Day
6
International Day of Zero Tolerance to
Female Genital Mutilation
10-16
11
13

March

STI / Condom Week

Pro Sports Wives Day
Employee Legal Awareness Day

Tuberculosis Awareness Month

Nutrition Month
1
6
8

Zero Discrimination Day

Employee Appreciation Day
International Womens Day

Remarks
The most frequent cancer among women in Ghana
Braille is the script that blind people can read with
their fingers
Chronic but curable infectious disease caused by
bacteria affecting skin and nerves. Ghana = medium
burden country (WHO)
South Africa
South Africa
USA
1/3 of all cancer cases are preventable
Illegal practice, esp. common in Northern regions (up
to 50% of girls). Possible consequences are bleeding
to death, infections, fistula during birth, still birth
South Africa, USA

South Africa
One of the main factors influencing health, esp.
regarding non-communicable diseases

Look into womens health issues and family planning

Month
March

April

Day
8 - 14

Event
World Glaucoma Week

11
11 - 17

No Smoking Day
World Salt Awareness Week

12

World Kidney Day

20
20
21
22

World Oral Health Day

International Day of Happiness
World Down Syndrome Day
World Water Day

24

World Tuberculosis Day

30

Take a Walk in the Park Day

Health Awareness Month

7
World Health Day
11
17
24 - 30

World Parkinson Disease Day

World Hemophilia Day
World Immunization Week

25

World Malaria Day

28

World Day for Safety and Health at

Work

Remarks
Eye disease that leads to blindness if untreated. GH =
second highest prevalence worldwide.
One of the leading causes of preventable death
2015 dates not published yet. Too much salt
contributes to heart disease and stroke.
Kidney disease mainly caused by diabetes,
hypertension and inflammation
Every cavity is preventable
Most common genetic disorder
Crucial for life. Clean water essential for prevention of
many diseases. Water =scarce resource, dont waste it
Infectious disease, still common in Ghana, curable,
many cases remain undetected and untreated
Exercise 30 min a day. A walk in the park is perfect!
There are annual topics but you are free to prioritize a
topic of your choice.
Non curable disease of the central nervous system
with movement problems usually arising after age 50
Genetic blood clotting disorder that affects 1/10,000
2015 dates not published yet. Certain immunizations
are also important for adults
Still the number 1 reasons of medical consultations
and sick leave in Ghana
Worldwide more people die because of occupational
accidents and diseases than HIV

Month
May

Day
Event
Anti-Tobacco Campaign Month
Skin Cancer Awareness Month
5

World Asthma Day

World Red Cross Day

10
15
17

World Move for Health Day

International Day of Families
World Hypertension Day

17

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial

Day
International Day to End Obstetric
Fistula

23

June

28

World MS Day

31

World No Tobacco Day

Mens Health Month

Dairy Month
National Youth Month
1
International Childrens Day
2
International Cancer Survivors Day
3
Running Day

Remarks
South Africa
Also Africans get skin cancer. Sun protection and early
detection are key
Chronic lung disease, due to allergic mechanisms as
well as environmental factors, rise in global incidence
Red Cross is one of the leading providers of first aid
courses
2015 date not published yet
Silent killer, treatable, 30% of adults in GH concerned,
can lead to heart attack, stroke and kidney disease
Memorial day for people living with HIV
Mainly caused during prolonged birth. An argument
against teenage pregnancy and female genital
mutilation and for medical assisted birth
Multiple Sclerosis = chronic inflammatory disease of
the nerves with no cure
Tobacco = one of the leading causes of preventable
death

South Africa
South Africa

Month
June

Day
5

Event
World Environment Day

7
14

Cancer Survivors Day

World Blood Donor Day

16

Fresh Veggies Day

19

World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

26

International Day against Drug Abuse

and Illicit Drug Trafficking
Insurance Awareness Day

28
July

August

15
11
20
28

Corporate Wellness Week

World Population Day
World Jump Day
World Hepatitis Day

Bone Marrow Stem and Leukaemia Awareness Month (15/8

15/09)
1-7
World Breastfeeding Week
12

International Youth Day

31

African Traditional Medicine Day

Remarks
What does your company do to keep the environment
clean and to preserve nature?
US and other countries
The number of blood donations in GH is insufficient.
Give blood to save mothers in childbirth, anemic
children, accident victims and patients during surgery
5 handful of veggies and fruit per day are
recommended. Hardly any Ghanaian eats this much.
Genetic blood disorder, esp. common in West Africa
with possibility of severe complications
Illegal drug trafficking and use increasing in Ghana
Insurances can save people from significant financial
hardships and ensure childrens education.
South Africa

Inflammation of the liver, 10-15% of Ghanaian adults

(HepB), preventable, curable, can become chronic
Leukemia = cancer of the blood, most common cancer
in children but most people concerned = adults
6 months exclusive breastfeeding are recommended.
How can a working woman achieve this?
Think about reproductive health, offer information on
topics that are a taboo

Month
September

Day
Event
Albinism Awareness Month
International Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness
Month (15/8 - 15/10)
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Deaf Awareness Month
1-7
National Headache & Migraine
Awareness Week
2-6
Back Week
8
World Physical Therapy Day
9
International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Day
10
International Gynecological Health Day
10
World Suicide Prevention Day

13
19
21

Positive Thinking Day

Gymnastics Day
World Alzheimers Day

26

World Contraception Day

26

World Environmental Health Day

28

World Rabies Day

Remarks
Most common cancer in men, most cases in age 50+

South Africa
The pregnant womens alcohol consumption can
permanently damage the health of unborn children
Suicide = often a result of depression (due to genetic
predisposition, stress, trauma or hormonal
imbalance), alcoholism, drug abuse or other mental
health problems. 5 Ghanaians commit suicide daily.

Most common form of dementia/memory loss with

no treatment or cure. Esp. in age 65+.
1/3 of Ghanaian women have unmet contraception
needs and can get pregnant without wanting it.
Is your work environment healthy? Look at light,
noise, quality of air, sanitation, hygiene, exposure to
chemicals etc.
Viral fatal disease, transmitted from animals to
humans. Esp. in rural environments. Vaccination

Month
September
October

Day
29

Event
World Heart Day

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness

Month (15/8 - 15/10)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
8
9

World Sight Day

Fire Prevention Day

10

World Mental Health Day

12

World Arthritis Day

13
15

International Day for Natural Disaster

Reduction
White Cane Safety Day

15

Global Handwashing Day

16

World Food Day

16

World Spine Day

17

World Trauma Day

17

International Day for the Eradication of

Poverty

Remarks
Cardiovascular disease = leading cause of death in
Ghana, esp. in urban environments. 90% preventable

Second most common cancer in Ghanaian women.

High fatality rate due to delayed treatment
2nd Thursday of October
Do you have the recommended fire precaution
measures? Have you tested your evacuation plan?
Grossly underestimated public health problem,
associated with stigma and discrimination. WHO
estimates that 3 mio Ghanaians are concerned
Painful joint disorder, often a result of age, trauma to,
infection of the joint, rheumatism. 70% in age 65+
Good date for disaster/pandemic preparedness
activities / drills
Are your companys environment safe for blind
people?
Handwashing with soap = one of the cheapest and
most effective prevention of infections
The increasing problem related to food in Ghana is
unhealthy or unbalanced diet, not hunger
Back pain = common problem. Is your company
accessible by people in wheelchair?
Consider first aid courses, road safety activities, safety
measures at work

Month
October

November

Day
20

Event
World Osteoporosis Day

23

Global Iodine Deficiency Disorder Day

24
29

World Polio Day

World Stroke Day

30

Africa Day for Food and Nutrition

Security

Stress Awareness Day

12

World Pneumonia Day

14

World Diabetes Day

17
19
19

Take a Hike Day

International Mens Day
World Toilet Day

20
25

Universal Childrens Day

International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women

Remarks
Common progressive bone disease with increased risk
of fracture, esp. in age 50+, preventable
Ghana = moderate iodine deficiency, decreases child
survival, impairs growth and development
No cases in Ghana since 2009, vaccination
= 1 of the top5 causes of death in GH, often leading to
severe disability, mostly due to hypertension

Stress factors at work: time pressure, boredom,

excessive demands, noise, bullying, shift work
Lung infection, leading killer of children under 5, often
fatal also in elderly persons, vaccination
Increasingly a big public health problem, treatable,
80% preventable, associated with unhealthy diet
Great for taboo topics around mens health
Open defecation contributed to a number of hygiene
related outbreaks. sanitation=issue of health, dignity
and to keep girls in school
Children = future

Month
December

Day
Human Rights Month
1

Event

Remarks

World AIDS Day

1.37% in GH. Experience shows that prevalence goes

up once continuous sensitization gets reduced
Persons with disabilities can be as competent workers
as anyone else. WHO disability rate in GH: 7-10%. Is
your building accessible for disabled persons?

International Day of Persons with

Disability

International Volunteers Day for

Economic and Social Development
World Patient Safety Day
Human Rights Day

9
10

Days in bold: http://www.un.org/en/events/observances/days.shtml

Days in italic: www.daysoftheyer.com
Days underlined: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_commemorative_days
Days normally written: see the respective websites

Esp. important if you have a company clinic

Look at human rights at the work place or related to
your EWP