September Health Observances

Active Aging Week (September 20-26)

Active Aging Week celebrates healthy lifestyles by promoting physical fitness activities across the country.  Visit the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) website to learn more about this observance, activities being offered, and what you can do in your community to promote active aging. The theme for Active Aging Week 2010 is Be Active Your Way. ICAA is collaborating with the Falls Free™ Coalition to promote Active Aging Week and National Falls Prevention Awareness Day together.

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (September 18)

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day is a national campaign highlighting the complex issues related to HIV prevention, care and treatment for aging populations in the United States.

National Falls Prevention Awareness Day (September 23)

National Falls Prevention Awareness Day is observed on the first day of fall to promote and increase public awareness about how to prevent and reduce falls among older adults. The Falls Free™ Coalition and its State Coalition on Fall Prevention Workgroup lead the effort. The Falls Free™ Coalition is also collaborating with ICAA to promote Active Aging Week in Fall Prevention Awareness Day campaigns.

This year 34 states are participating in Falls Prevention Awareness Day. Find tools and resources to help plan and implement Falls Prevention Awareness Day in your state or community.

National Suicide Prevention Week (September 5-11)

The goal of Suicide Prevention Week is to globally promote awareness and advocacy about suicide prevention.  According to the American Association of Suicidology, over 1 million people die by suicide each year worldwide and many more make suicide attempts.  In 2005 adults age 65 and older represented 12.4% of the population but 16.6% of suicides.  

National Women's Health & Fitness Day (September 29)

This observance is the largest national health promotion day for women. Similar in concept to its “sister” event, National Senior Health & Fitness Day, thousands of women will participate in local Women's Health & Fitness Day events at hundreds of local organizations throughout the U.S. The goal of this event is to promote the importance of health awareness and regular physical activity for women of all ages.

World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21)

Every year Alzheimer associations across the globe unite to recognize World Alzheimer's Day™. The theme for World Alzheimer's Day™ 2010 is 'Dementia. It's time for action!' Find out about events planned for World Alzheimer's Day 2010 around the world.