Editor’s note - This is a super comprehensive list of awareness days in Canada. If you want to cut through the detail and scan all the dates at once, check out our 2020 health awareness day calendar.
Across Canada, there are dozens of healthcare promotion days, weeks, and months throughout the year. Healthcare providers have many reasons to keep an eye on awareness dates, especially those which are relevant to their patients. But, how can you keep track of all these dates throughout the year? What activities and resources can clinics use to make the most of these dedicated days, weeks, and months?
Making sense of health awareness days seemed like a perfect challenge for Auxita. After all, we are all about awareness. In our case, that awareness is very specific - our software helps medical professionals stay aware of programs for patients, guideline updates, and health calculations. But, there is more to health awareness than what Auxita provides on a screen.So, with that in mind, here is the ultimate list of Canadian health awareness days, weeks, and months in Canada. We even included some tips for healthcare professionals on what to expect during these times of year, so you’ll be all set for whatever the calendar brings.
Why should Canadian medical professionals care about medical promotion or awareness days?
- To promote preventative health. Want to increase cancer screenings? Or start conversations about diet, smoking, and other risk factors? These awareness days can be great ways to fuel discussions about prevention and personal health management. You also may see an uptick in people seeking certain tests and screenings during awareness days and months.
- To stay on top of information (and misinformation). Awareness days are often a catalyst for sharing medical information. This can be good news: everyone, including medical professionals, has a chance to explore the latest developments and medical guidelines.
The bad news? Awareness days, weeks, and months are often the period when Dr. Google is at his most powerful, so prepare to face him a fair bit during these dates.
- To help patients feel supported. Awareness events can help those managing a disease and their families find support, community, and strength. Knowing about these days and recognizing them in the office with posters or conversation can be impactful for those struggling with a condition or disease.
- For updates on special programs and initiatives. Research fellowships, financial support programs, and clinical tests may be timed to coincide with awareness days. Staying on top of these opportunities can make a big difference for physicians and their patients.
Explore Canadian Health Awareness Days, Weeks, Months by Category
- Cancer
- Cardiology/Heart health
- Mental Health & Neurology
- Medical Professional Recognition
- Preventative Health & Wellness
- Orthopedic Health
- Other
Cancer Awareness Days, Months, and Events in Canada
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February 4: World Cancer Day |
World Cancer Day is a global initiative from the Union for International Cancer Control. It aims to inspire individual action to reduce the global burden of cancer. What to expect:
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February 15: International Childhood Cancer Day |
International Childhood Cancer Day is a global initiative from Childhood Cancer International. The day is part of the organization’s goal to “make childhood cancer a national and global child health priority.” What to expect:
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May: Bladder Cancer Awareness Month |
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month began in 2015 as an initiative of Bladder Cancer Canada. What to expect:
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April: Daffodil Month |
Daffodil Month is organized each April by the Canadian Cancer Society. What to expect:
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June: Relay for Life Month |
Relay for Life is the Canadian Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event. The organization has declared June “Relay for Life” month. What to expect:
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June 26: National Cancer Wellness Awareness Day |
National Cancer Wellness Awareness Day is organized to help Canadians with cancer understand self-care and wellness best practices, empowering them to live well with and through cancer. What to expect:
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September: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month |
During September, multiple Canadian organizations and clinics that deal with childhood cancer host events and campaigns. What to expect:
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September: Prostate Cancer Awareness Month |
Prostate Cancer Canada recognizes a national awareness month every September. What to expect:
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October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month |
Each October, the Canadian Cancer Society focuses awareness efforts on breast cancer. What to expect:
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October 24: Brain Cancer Awareness Day (note: Brain Tumour Awareness also recognized each June) |
The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada recognizes October 24 as Brain Cancer Awareness Day. Internationally, the impact of brain tumours is also recognized in the month of June. What to expect:
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November: Lung Cancer Awareness Month |
Lung Cancer Awareness Month is declared by the Canadian Cancer Society each November. Along with fundraising, this month is often used to encourage helping Canadians to quit smoking. What to expect:
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November: Movember |
Movember is a popular month-long event that raises awareness about men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. What to expect:
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November 30: Stomach Cancer Awareness Day |
The Stomach Cancer Foundation of Canada, also known as “My Gut Feeling,” founded Stomach Cancer Awareness day in 2016. What to expect:
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Cardiac & Heart Health Days and Months in Canada
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February: Heart Month |
Founded in the United States but widely recognized in Canada, Heart month features preventative health messages and research investment announcements in multiple countries. What to expect:
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May: Hypertension Awareness Month and World Hypertension Day (May 17) |
During Hypertension Awareness Month, Hypertension Canada arranges for blood pressure screenings and teaches Canadians how they can prevent hypertension with lifestyle changes. What to expect:
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Mental Health & Neurology Days & Months in Canada
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January 29: Bell Let’s Talk Day |
Bell Let’s Talk Day is a national campaign that aims to spread awareness and funds for mental health charities in Canada. It is sponsored by Bell Canada, which donates money for every message sent on this day. What to expect:
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February: Psychology Month |
Declared by the Canadian Psychological Association, this awareness month is designed to “highlight the contributions of Canadian psychology and to teach Canadians how psychology works.” What to expect:
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March 11 to 17: Brain Awareness Week |
This global campaign from the Dana foundation aims to “foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science.” What to expect:
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May 7: National Child and Youth Mental Health Day |
Founded by two Canadian mothers in 2007, National Child and Youth Mental Health Day is now recognized across Canada. FamilySmart currently oversees the campaign. What to expect:
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May 4 to 10: Mental Health Week |
Organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Mental Health Week encourages Canadians to “get loud” and discuss mental health issues and stories in their communities. What to expect:
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May 12: International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) |
Since 1992, May 12 has been recognized as the International Day for CIND. This date was selected to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who was said to have suffered from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. What to expect:
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September: World Alzheimer’s Month + World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21) |
Recognized globally, World Alzheimer’s Month aims to spread awareness about dementia and reduce stigma in as many countries as possible. What to expect:
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October 10: World Mental Health Day |
Observed by the World Health Organization, World Mental Health Day focuses on a different mental health topic with global impacts each year. In 2019, the theme was “40 seconds of action” to prevent suicide. What to expect:
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Second week of October: Mental Illness Awareness Week |
Coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health, Mental Illness Awareness Week encourages Canadians to “spread awareness and reduce all forms of stigma around mental illness.” What to expect:
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Recognition Days for Medical Professionals, Weeks, and Months in Canada
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March: Pharmacist Awareness Month |
Organized by the Canadian Pharmacists Association, the month of March “celebrates the contributions that pharmacists mark to our health care system.” The month is also dedicated to helping Canadians understand what health care services and advice pharmacists can provide. What to expect:
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April 21 to 27: National Medical Laboratory Week |
National Medical Laboratory Week (or “Lab Week,” as it is commonly known) is a week dedicated to recognizing leaders in laboratory technology and celebrating the contributions of technologists in healthcare. What to expect:
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May 6 to 12: National Nursing Week (and International Nursing Day on May 12) |
Scheduled to coincide with the week around Florence Nightingale’s birth, National Nursing Week and International Nursing Day is a celebration of the importance and impact of nurses in Canadian and international healthcare. What to expect:
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October: Canadian Intensive Care Week |
Organized in partnership with a variety of critical care organizations, Canadian Intensive Care week offers an opportunity to recognize and celebrate staff who work in ICUs across the country. What to expect:
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Third Tuesday in October: Pharmacy Technician Day |
Pharmacy Technician Day is recognized in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. What to expect:
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Preventative Health & Wellness Days & Months in Canada
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March: Nutrition Month |
Nutrition month, recognized in March, is aimed at dietitians in Canada. Dietitians of Canada encourages its members to put on events and activities related to healthy eating during this time. What to expect:
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July 24: International Self-Care Day |
International Self-Care Day was founded by the International Self-Care Foundation in 2011. The day aims to “promote self-care as a vital foundation of health.” It is scheduled on July 24 of each year to push forth the message that self-care is required “24/7.” What to expect:
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Orthopedic Awareness Days & Months in Canada
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October 12: World Arthritis Day |
This global event aims to help people dealing with rheumatic or musculoskeletal diseases connect, find support, and raise awareness. What to expect:
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October 16: World Spine Day |
Organized by the World Federation of Chiropractic, over 500 organizations around the globe come together to support World Spine Day. What to expect:
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November: Osteoporosis Month |
Recognized throughout November, Osteoporosis Month encourages people to wear purple in recognition of bone health and osteoporosis. What to expect:
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Other Awareness Days & Months in Canada
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Last Day of February: Rare Disease Day |
Rare Disease Day offers an opportunity for individuals around the world to share stories and raise awareness about lesser-known diseases. Events focus on sharing stories and building compassion. What to expect:
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April: Be a Donor Month |
Organ and tissue donor campaigns often ramp up in April in recognition of “Be a Donor Month.” What to expect:
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April: IBS Awareness Month |
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month in April aims to make more Canadians aware of the prevalence and effects of IBS. Currently, 13 to 20 percent of individuals in the country are living with IBS. What to expect:
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April 7: World Health Day |
World Health Day is a wide-reaching, international event that has been recognized for over 50 years. It is used by various public officials and organizations to raise awareness about the importance of health-related investments and programs. What to expect:
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May: Vision Health Month |
The Canadian Association of Optometrists organizes Vision Health Month to raise awareness about serious eye diseases and the importance of eye exams. What to expect:
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May: Speech and Hearing Month |
Speech-Language Audiology Canada (SAC) dedicates May to the public awareness of communication health. Their slogan is “Speak well. Hear well. Live well.” What to expect:
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June: Thyroid Month |
Thyroid Awareness Month is declared in June of each year by the Thyroid Foundation of Canada. Activities and advocacy are encouraged by the foundation in various communities during this month. What to expect:
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June 10 to 16: Canadian Men’s Health Week |
Men’s Health Week is coordinated by the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation. Some years, it covers men’s health generally; others, it takes on a specific theme. In 2019, the theme was “How to Be Healthy at Work.” What to expect:
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November 11-17: Digital Health Week |
Digital Health Week is a “celebration and recognition of how digital health is transforming the delivery of care across Canada.” It is part of the ACCESS 2022 Movement, which advocates for the development, adoption, and effective use of digital health solutions in Canada. What to expect:
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November 14: World Diabetes Day |
World Diabetes Day is one of the awareness days most noted by family doctors in Canada. With an emphasis on helping people reduce their risk of diabetes-related complications, this day is often used to promote appointments and wellness to patients with diabetes. What to expect:
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December 1: World AIDS Day |
World AIDS Day is the only major health awareness day in the month of December. It is widely recognized around the world and aims to “remind the public and the government that HIV has not gone away.” What to expect:
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