HEALTH OBSERVANCES & AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS

Health observances help UIOs plan culturally grounded, timely outreach throughout the year. NCUIH provides graphics, social media copy, and resources to support clinics, community events, and social media communications. Below is the featured observance for the current month, followed by a month-by-month tabs layout so you can plan ahead and reuse content easily.

Featured This Month

September — National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools (Orange Shirt Day)

September marks the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools — a solemn occasion to honor the children who were taken, the families who were torn apart, and the communities that have carried the weight of this history ever since.

Resources

To support UIOs and partners in your outreach, we have included draft copy for your networks and a downloadable graphic. By raising awareness, encouraging prevention strategies, and promoting access to survivor-centered services, Urban Indian Organizations and communities can help build safer, healthier Native communities.

Download Graphic

Why it matters: The Indian boarding school system caused generational trauma that continues to affect the physical and mental health of Native communities today. Acknowledging this history is not only an act of remembrance — it is an act of healing. Urban Indian Health Programs provide mental health and wellness services rooted in cultural understanding, offering space for communities to grieve, process, and heal together.

Social Media Copy: Today, we remember the children who were taken — and we honor every community that has carried this pain across generations. Healing is not linear, but it is ours to reclaim together. If you or someone in our community needs support, our program is here for you.

January

Glaucoma Awareness

Why it matters: Glaucoma progresses without early symptoms; prevention begins with regular eye exams.

Social Media Copy: January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Regular eye exams protect long-term vision and support community wellness.

Download Graphic

Turquoise Thursday (Cervical Cancer & HPV)

Why it matters: Native women experience disproportionate cervical cancer rates; education and screening help save lives.

Social Media Copy: Wear turquoise and uplift cervical cancer and HPV awareness for our Native relatives.

Download Graphic

February

March

Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 20)

Why it matters: American Indian and Alaska Native communities continue to face disproportionate HIV impacts and barriers to prevention, testing, and treatment, making culturally grounded outreach and care essential to improving health outcomes.

Social Media Copy: March 20 is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Awareness, prevention, and regular testing play an important role in supporting community health. Encouraging open conversations, reducing stigma, and promoting access to culturally grounded care can help strengthen wellness for Native communities. Share this message to raise awareness and support HIV prevention efforts.

Download Graphic

HIV & STI Resource Hub

Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Social Media Copy: March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Early screening helps detect colorectal cancer when treatment is most effective. Urban Indian Organizations and community partners can help raise awareness by sharing reminders about screening, encouraging conversations with family members, and connecting community members to prevention resources.

April

Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month

Why it matters: American Indian and Alaska Native communities experience disproportionately high rates of sexual violence, underscoring the need for prevention, survivor-centered support, and culturally informed healing services.

Social Media Copy: April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Prevention, education, and survivor support are essential to strengthening community well-being. Promoting trauma-informed care, respectful relationships, and accessible resources can help foster safe and supportive spaces for Native communities. Share this message to raise awareness and support prevention efforts.

Download Graphic

May

MMIP Day of Awareness (May 5)

Why it matters: This day brings attention to ongoing gaps in data, response, and resources while uplifting the need for safety, accountability, and culturally grounded support.

Social Media Copy: No more stolen sisters. May 5 honors Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples and the families who continue to carry this loss. Native communities face disproportionate rates of violence, and every voice matters in keeping our relatives seen and remembered.

Download Graphic

June

Men’s Health Month

This observance encourages the men in our communities to prioritize their physical and mental well-being. Native men continue to face some of the highest rates of preventable illness in the country — including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer — disparities often shaped by barriers to culturally grounded care and systemic health inequities. Urban Indian Organizations play a vital role in providing affirming, community-centered services that support early detection, routine checkups, and long-term wellness. NCUIH encourages partners to share resources, promote preventive screenings, and foster open conversations that empower Native men to prioritize their health.

Download Graphic

July

Youth Smoking Prevention (E-Cigarette Focus / Respiratory Health)

July brings a focus on youth smoking and e-cigarette prevention — an urgent issue as vaping products increasingly target young people, including Native youth, through aggressive marketing and easy accessibility.

Why it matters: Native youth use nicotine and e-cigarettes at higher rates than their peers, and the long-term effects of vaping on developing lungs are serious and still being studied. E-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to traditional tobacco. Urban Indian Health Programs play a critical role in providing education, cessation resources, and community-based prevention strategies for young people and their families.

Social Media Copy: Vaping is not harmless — and our youth deserve to know the truth. This month, talk to the young people in your life about what is really in those products. Our program offers prevention and cessation support for all ages. Reach out to us to learn more.

Download Graphic

August

National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month — a time to highlight the importance of staying up to date on vaccines across all ages and to connect communities with the resources they need to do so.

Why it matters: Urban Indian communities have long faced barriers to consistent access to health care, making immunization outreach a critical priority. Vaccines protect not just individuals but entire communities, particularly those with higher rates of chronic conditions that increase vulnerability to serious illness. Urban Indian Health Programs provide vaccine services in a culturally grounded environment.

Social Media Copy: This August, we’re reminding our community to stay up to date on vaccines — for yourself and for the people around you. Whether it’s your annual flu vaccine or other routine immunizations, we’re here to help. Contact us to schedule an appointment or ask about which vaccines are right for you and your family.

Download Graphic

Vaccine & Immunization Hub

September

September — National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools (Orange Shirt Day)

Download Graphic