Welcome to the National Alliance Coalition Health Advisory Council newsletter! This newsletter will simplify the process of connecting key national health and cultural observances with effective health and wellbeing strategies.

For a complete list:

• 2024 Diversity Calendar
• 2024 National Health Observances Calendar

World Mental Health Day (October 11, 2024)

National Depression Screening Day

(October 10, 2024)

National Depression Education & Awareness Month helps teach us about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for depression.

It also lets all of us know that seeking help — either from a counselor, a trusted friend, or your community — is a sign of hope and strength.

Did you know:

• 9.5% of adults age 18 and above struggle with regular feelings of depression.
• Over 15 million physician office visits each year are attributed to depressive disorders as the primary diagnosis

Read more here on how the National Alliance, coalitions, employers, and other mental health advocates are working together to address mental health challenges and issues at the national level.

Learn how the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions is helping employers ask the right questions when selecting vendors for mental health below.

• Mental health benefits: Overcoming hurdles to provide employees with better access to care 
• Behavioral Health Vendor Engagement Template

Improving Health Literacy Improves Health and Saves Lives

Everyone deserves to be able to understand and use health information, terms, and services wisely so they are equipped to manage their health well.

During Health Literacy Month, employers are urged to move health literacy awareness to health literacy action.

Creating a plan, consulting available resources and collaborating with schools, healthcare providers, and other community resources is a great place to start.

How to Support Health Literacy at Work

• Explore the tools available at healthliteracymonth.org. Assets like social media graphics and a Health Literacy Month Toolkit are available!
• Download the National Alliance "Back to Basics" resources to promote the importance of prevention, early detection, and health improvement.
• Build a supportive health literate organization through CDC resources.

Disability Employment Awareness Month: Celebrating Contributions and Achievements

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) recognizes the accomplishments of the steadfast workers with disabilities and reaffirms commitment to ensure equal opportunity for all.

This year marks 76 years since the National Disability Employment Awareness Month was first celebrated. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate in spreading awareness and joining in any form of outreach to encourage and educate the public.

To see a video announcing the NDEAM them for 2024, go here.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects one in eight women in the United States every year and 2.3 million women worldwide.

Learn more about breast cancer and how it affects people’s lives from podcast, videos, and medically reviewed educational content on Breastcancer.org.

Fast Facts:

• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women.
• About 30% of early-stage breast cancers eventually metastasize (spread to parts of the body away from the breast)
• About 85% of breast cancers occur in women with no known history of the disease.

• National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• National Healthcare Quality Week (October 20-26, 2024)
• World Psoriasis Day (October 29, 2024)