March 2024 Health and Cultural Observances

IN THIS ISSUE: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month | Women's History Month | Patient Safety Awareness Month | Sleep Awareness Week

The National Alliance Coalition Health Advisory Council provides this newsletter to make it easier for employers to tie select national health and cultural observances to health and wellbeing strategies. For a complete list: 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024 National Health Observances Calendar

Colorectal Cancer: The Preventable Cancer Anybody can get colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the US. It is also largely preventable and is often treatable when diagnosed early. Every March, employers/purchasers are encouraged to share simple, but essential, reminders to inspire more people to get checked starting at age 45 (or earlier if family history is present).

Normalize conversations about colorectal cancer screenings with these helpful conversation starters. Build awareness and get support through the Colorectal Cancer Alliance Digital Toolkit for Workplaces.  Did you know? Nearly 107,000 US adults will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2024. Share the facts and inspire employees to get screened with the latest CDC videos.

Honoring Women's History Month Promoting a Culture of Dignity and Respect

Women's History Month is a great time to examine health and other benefits for opportunities to improve the health and wellbeing of women. Click on the image for a complimentary women's health guide! For example: Do female-specific benefits (e.g., well-woman care; maternity leave; fertility and family-planning; child care and caregiver respite services) reflect and respect the needs and wishes of the diverse workforce? Do communications heighten awareness of heart disease as the number one cause of death in women? Are female-specific benefits easy to access and understand? Is a safety intervention plan in place for suspected intimate partner violence? "The fact that various health issues and major life events specific to women can be so easily dismissed is astounding." Kristen DeFalco HuffPost Contributor View these CDC tools to address women's health in the workplace: National Women's Health Observances Women's Reproductive Health 7 Facts to Know about Women's Health

Did you know? Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women. Women who are caregivers are at greater risk for poor physical and mental health (2 out of 3 caregivers in the US are women). Intimate partner violence is related to serious health and economic issues.

Raising Awareness About Patient Safety and Sleep

March includes many ways for employers/purchasers to support major health observances. View select observances, tools and tips, below (click on the links at the top for a full list of national observances). Specific weeks to remember:  March 10-16: Patient Safety Awareness Week March 12-18: Sleep Awareness Week

"Sleep is of utmost importance, rebuilding us physically, mentally and emotionally yet, as a nation, we are frequently sleep-deprived. When people don't replenish their energy bank accounts with restorative sleep, overall health, wellbeing, productivity, and quality of life suffer." Scott Conard, MD CEO of Converging Health Author of The Seven Healers Chief Medical Advisor of the National Alliance

National Alliance Resources of the Month

Back-to-basics tips for achieving whole person health and wellbeing support workplace communications efforts (feel free to customize with your logo): Infographic with action steps for employers Infographics for employees (English and Spanish versions of flyers and posters) Additional National resources related to March observances: National Alliance Oncology Initiative for Achieving Value in Cancer Care (multiple resources)