World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. It is marked every year on November 14th.

World Pneumonia Day, marked every year on 12 November, was established by the Stop Pneumonia Initiative in 2009 to raise awareness about the toll of pneumonia – a leading killer of children around the world – and to advocate for global action to protect against, help prevent and effectively treat this deadly illness.

Today is National Diabetes Heart Connection Day, a day to recognize the connection between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Diabetes affects 29 million - one in 11 - people in the US and at least double their risk of heart failure, heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular complications. Less than half of them, however, are aware that they are at a much higher risk for cardiovascular disease complications.

The Urology Care Foundation and the American Urological Association (AUA), together with the Bladder Health Alliance — a coalition of groups representing physicians, patients, and veterans — are drawing on the month of November as a vital reminder to get the facts about common bladder health problems and to encourage the public to take an active role in managing their bladder health.

November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on prediabetes and preventing diabetes.

Today is National Stress Awareness Day, a 24-hour reinforcement that you are not doing yourself a favor by stressing about situations you cannot control. Everyone feels stressed from time to time, as it is how the brain and body respond to any demand. Needless to say, stress can affect your health, hence it is important to pay attention as to how you deal with minor and major stressors to know when it is time to seek help.

Hypophosphatasia (hī-pō-ˌfäs-fə-ˈtā-zh(ē-)ə) or HPP is an inherited (genetic) metabolic disorder. People with this condition have low levels of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which often affects the development of bones and teeth. However, signs and symptoms vary widely, with mild cases causing only dental abnormalities while more severe types may have life-threatening consequences. Without adequate ALP, bones may become weak or soft, causing skeletal deformities, fractures, premature tooth loss, and pain, among other symptoms.

World Psoriasis Day, observed on October 29, shines a light on challenges faced by those suffering from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis is a disease that results from an overactive immune system and is evidenced by rashes on the skin. While most immune systems take 30 or so days to push new cells to the skin, those with psoriasis push new cells within two to three days. On World Psoriasis Day, psoriasis associations strive to spread information about the condition and improve access to treatment.

While the prevalence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the United States has decreased by 50% over the last 20 years, SIDS remains the leading cause of death for U.S. infants 1 month to 1 year of age.1 This SIDS Awareness MonthExternal Web Site Policy, the NICHD highlights SIDS resources and research to help parents, caregivers, and medical professionals reduce the risk of SIDS.

Every October, we celebrate Health Literacy Month — a time to recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the health care system easier to navigate. During this time, organizations and individuals promote the importance of understandable health information. Health Literacy Month brings awareness to breaking down the barriers of understanding.