Yesterday kicked off the first week of April!
April is the month of the growing season, when trees and flowers begin to “open”. So that means April is the month of GROWTH!
April is a hopeful month which promises good and beautiful things in the future.
There are a lot of holiday celebrations in the month of April and this week is dedicated to National Public Health.
National Public Health Week encourages people to become a part of a growing movement to create a healthy nation. The first full week of April is a time to recognize the contributions of public health while highlighting issues that are important to improving the health of the nation.
This week, let’s focus on prevention and reducing unhealthy activities in our community.
How to Observe
In 2018, Oklahoma ranked 47th in health after being evaluated by historical and comprehensive set of health, environmental, and socioeconomic data. Find out more by going to the American Health Ranking website. Download the Center for Disease Control Health IQ App to Your Smartphone. Follow on Facebook and share health facts and information using #PublicHealthWeek.
April National Day Observations:
Tuesday, April 2nd is dedicated to two very important awareness campaigns, World Autism Awareness Day and SAAM (Sexual Assault Awareness Month) Day of Action.
World Autism Awareness Day
April is World Autism Month, and World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) aims to put a spotlight on the hurdles that people with autism – and others living with autism – face every day.
As a growing global health issue owing to its increasing exposure in the press and common knowledge, autism is an issue that is only gaining more understanding – and WAAD activities are planned every year to further increase and develop world knowledge of children and adults who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
How to Observe
Wear blue to spread awareness, understanding, and acceptance of those with autism. AutismSpeaks is inviting friends and neighbors around the world to come together to pledge to go blue to increase global understanding and acceptance of people with autism. We hope you’ll join us by pledging your support for a more inclusive world and staying involved all month long!
SAAM Day of Action
Nationally recognized in the United States and observed annually as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), SAAM Day of Action provides a day to focus awareness on sexual violence prevention.
Since 2004, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center has promoted a day dedicated to ending sexual violence against women. Their campaign is ongoing.
How to Observe
Use #SAAMDayOfAction to post on social media.
For more information on sexual violence prevention and awareness, visit www.nsvrc.org.
Wednesday, April 3rd is also dedicated to two awareness campaigns, Childhelp National Day of Hope and National Walking Day.
Childhelp National Day of Hope
During National Child Abuse Prevention Month the first Wednesday of April has been dedicated to a Childhelp National Day of Hope. Everyone across the country is asked to make a life-long commitment to joining the fight to end child abuse and neglect.
How to Observe
Lighting a 5 wick candle and observing a 5-minute silence represents the approximately 5 children who die every day as a result of abuse in the United States. Fight to end child abuse and use #ChildhelpNationalDayOfHope to post on social media.
To learn more, visit www.childhelp.org.
National Walking Day
The first Wednesday in April is National Walking Day. The American Heart Association sponsors this day to remind people about the health benefits of taking a walk.
How to Observe
Wear your sneakers (or take them with you) to work, and at some point in the day, take a 30-minute walk. Use the hashtag #HealthyForGood when posting on social media.
Click here to get more information and resources on how to stay active and healthy.
Saturday, April 6th is dedicated to two awareness campaigns, National Student-Athlete Day and National Love Our Children Day.
National Student-Athlete Day (NSAD)
NSAD provides an opportunity to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of student-athletes.
It was created to honor high school and college student-athletes who have excelled in academics and athletics and who have contributed to their communities and schools in a significant way.
How to Observe
Support student-athletes and use #StudentAthleteDay when posting on social media. Share stories about your student in the Special Olympics detailing how it has impacted your family.
National Love Our Children Day
Love Our Children USA sponsors and promotes this day annually on the first Saturday in April as part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This day honors all children and encourages us to develop loving, respectful relationships with our children.
This day focuses on the prevention of child abuse and violence against children as well bringing awareness and helping put in place support tools and resources for communities.
How to Observe
Take time to make the life of a child better. Educate yourself on the prevention of child abuse. Use #NationalLoveOurChildrenDay to share on social media.
For more information, visit loveourchildrenusa.org