Health Awareness
Every month I focus on a health awareness topic and a rare disease worth knowing about. These pages cover what the condition is, who it affects, why it matters in med school, and where to learn more.
Monthly awareness topics
January
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Spreading awareness about cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccination.
February
Turner Syndrome Awareness Month
Raising awareness about Turner syndrome - a chromosomal condition affecting 1 in 2,500 females.
March
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Advocating for those affected by traumatic brain injuries and promoting prevention.
April
Autism Acceptance Month
Celebrating neurodiversity and promoting acceptance of autistic individuals.
May - This month
Mental Health Awareness Month
Breaking the stigma around mental health and promoting emotional well-being.
June
Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month
Raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
July
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Highlighting mental health challenges facing underrepresented communities.
August
Immunization Awareness Month
Promoting the importance of vaccines across all age groups.
September
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Spreading hope, sharing resources, and breaking the silence around suicide.
October
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Supporting breast cancer research, early detection, and survivors.
November
COPD Awareness Month
Raising awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung health.
December
HIV/AIDS Awareness Month
Promoting testing, prevention, and support for those living with HIV/AIDS.
Rare disease spotlights
January
Coffin-Siris Syndrome
A rare genetic condition affecting development of the fifth fingers/toes, facial features, and cognitive abili...
Genetic & chromosomal awareness
February
Marfan Syndrome
A connective tissue disorder affecting the heart, eyes, blood vessels, and skeleton.
Connective tissue & genetic disorders
March
Chiari Malformation
A condition where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, causing headaches and neurological symptoms.
Brain & neurological conditions
April
MOGAD
Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease — a rare autoimmune demyelinating disorder of ...
Neuroimmune & rare neurological disease
April
Fabry Disease
A rare X-linked genetic disease where a missing enzyme lets fatty stuff build up in cells, slowly hurting the ...
Rare X-linked lysosomal storage disease
May - Current
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
A group of connective tissue disorders causing hypermobile joints, stretchy skin, and chronic pain.
Chronic pain & mental health impact
June
Huntington's Disease
A progressive brain disorder causing uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and loss of thinking ability.
Neurodegenerative disorders
July
Fragile X Syndrome
The most common inherited cause of intellectual disability, caused by mutations in the FMR1 gene on the X chro...
Rare genetic cause of intellectual & mental-health impact
August
Primary Immunodeficiency
Over 400 rare genetic disorders that impair the immune system, making infections frequent and severe.
Immune system disorders
September
Mitochondrial Disease
A group of disorders caused by dysfunctional mitochondria, affecting energy production in every cell.
Invisible illness & mental toll
October
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
A rare hereditary cancer syndrome dramatically increasing lifetime risk of multiple cancers.
Rare hereditary cancer syndrome
November
Cystic Fibrosis
A genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs.
Rare lung disease
December
CVID
Common Variable Immunodeficiency - a primary immune deficiency causing frequent infections.
Immune deficiency disorders