What is Health Awareness | Blackhat Forum

We promote health awareness of various conditions and informational campaigns throughout the year as a vital service. These campaigns highlight not only the prevalence (the extent to which our population is affected), but also offer tips for reducing risks and promoting healthy behaviours to improve overall health.

Each month includes at least one topic, but occasionally several. Please see the list at the bottom of the page for help in finding these health topics.

• Alcohol Awareness
• Breast Cancer Awareness
• Cervical Cancer Awareness
• Men’s Health
• Minority Mental Health Awareness
• National Immunization Awareness
• National Nutrition
• Sexual Assault Awareness
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Colon Cancer Awareness
• COPD Awareness
• Diabetes Awareness
• Healthy Vision
• Hepatitis Awareness

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month

We promote Alcohol Awareness Month every April to raise awareness and understanding of the causes and treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD).

AUD includes the conditions known as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, and alcoholism. AUD is a medical condition characterised by a diminished ability to stop or control alcohol consumption in the face of negative social, occupational, or health consequences. regarded as a brain disorder The severity of AUD can range from mild to severe.

In the United States, over 95,000 people die each year as a result of excessive alcohol use. Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to both men and women’s health. Are you in danger?

What increases your risk of alcohol use disorder?

Your risk of developing AUD is determined by a number of factors, including how much, how frequently, and how quickly you consume alcohol. Alcohol misuse, including binge drinking and heavy alcohol use, raises your risk of AUD over time. Other factors, such as:

• Drinking at an early age
• Genetics and family history of alcohol problems
• Mental health conditions and a history of trauma

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women, after skin cancer. Mammograms are the best method for early detection when it is easier to treat and before it can be felt or is large enough to cause symptoms.

When should I get a mammogram?

Discuss your risks with your primary care provider or gynaecologist, as well as when you should begin getting screening mammograms.

If you are currently concerned about symptoms, you should see your doctor right away. Don’t be late!

Not just for women!

A man is diagnosed with breast cancer one in every 100 times in the United States.

Symptoms in men are similar to those in women. Consult your doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms or changes in your breasts.

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of death in women in the United States. However, the use of pap smears since the 1940s has resulted in a significant decrease in the incidence and rate of death from cervical cancer1.

Kentucky, on the other hand, remains one of the top 12 states in the US in terms of new cervical cancer diagnoses, with a rate of 8.9 per 100,000 women, or 210 new diagnoses per year in 20182.

When should I have a screening?

At the age of 21, you should have your first app screening test. If your results are normal, you can postpone your next screening for three years if your doctor agrees.

You have three options if you are 30 or older….

• Continue getting a pap test only. If your results are normal, you can wait three years for your next test.
• Get an HPV test only. If your test result is normal, you can wait five years for your next test.
• Get both the HPV and Pap test together. If your test results are normal, you can wait five years for your next tests.

Talk to your doctor about the testing option(s) best for you.

HPV Vaccine

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sexual contact.

HPV is so common that almost everyone contracts it at some point in their lives. For most women, HPV will go away on its own, but if it does not, there is a chance that it will cause cervical cancer over time.

The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer. HPV can also cause other types of cancer in both men and women.

• HPV vaccination is recommended for preteens aged 11-12 years.
• HPV vaccination is also recommended for everyone through age 26 years, if not already vaccinated.
• Some adults aged 26-45 years not already vaccinated should speak with their doctor about whether to get the HPV vaccine.

June is Men’s Health Awareness Month

Men die 5 years earlier than women on average. Not surprisingly, they are more likely to develop serious diseases such as heart disease, lung cancer, and HIV. As a result, raising awareness about preventive screenings and regular health care for men of all ages is critical.

What regular screenings should men get and when?

Regular health screenings are an important tool for detecting new or existing health issues that require treatment. Finally, the earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis and outcome. The following are current recommendations for routine screenings. “Men’s Health Network” provided the image.

Importance of Healthy Vision

By far the most important of our five senses is vision. It perceives up to 80% of what we sense or take in from our surroundings. As a result, good vision and regular eye care are critical to our overall well-being.

How do I know if I am at risk for vision loss?

While age increases your risk, a variety of medical conditions also contribute to an increased risk of eye diseases.

Obesity and overweight people are more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. This is frequently caused by occlusion of the extremely small blood vessels in the eyes.

Diabetes, like high blood pressure, puts people at a higher risk of developing eye diseases.

A family history of eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma also increases your risk.

Finally, people of African American, Native American, and Hispanic descent are at a higher risk than the general population.

If you have any questions or concerns about your risk, consult your primary care physician or a risk management specialist.

How you can reduce your risks of eye disease

First and foremost, focus on your overall health. Because a variety of health conditions can lead to eye disease and vision problems, it is critical to stay on top of those conditions and seek regular medical care. This includes having a dilated eye exam on a regular basis based on your age and risks.

Second, develop and maintain healthy habits that promote good eye health, such as eating healthy foods, being physically active, and quitting smoking.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center promotes Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) each April in order to raise awareness and prevent sexual assault, harassment, and abuse.

SAAM is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year, with the theme “Building Safe Online Spaces Together.”

What is online sexual abuse?

Online sexual abuse can be any type of harassment, exploitation, or abuse that takes place through screens. Forms of online sexual harassment or abuse include:

• Sending someone unwelcome communication about sex or hateful comments based on sex, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation.
• Sending partners, friends, acquaintances, or strangers unwanted requests for nude photos or videos or to livestream sexual acts.
• Performing acts on a webcam without the consent of everyone involved or in inappropriate settings. 
• Sharing private images or videos without the consent of everyone involved (also known as revenge porn or nonconsensual pornography).
• Sharing porn in spaces where not everyone has consented to view it (for example, in inappropriate spaces like Zoom meetings, where this is also called Zoombombing).
• Grooming children to enable their sexual abuse either online or offline.

Get the facts!

Online harassment is no less harmful because it occurs online. Because the content is frequently public, unremovable, and can reappear at any time, victims frequently suffer long-term consequences. As a result, online harassment is just as emotionally damaging as in-person contact.

According to a nationwide survey conducted in early 2021, 41% of Americans over the age of 18 have personally experienced online harassment. Another 27% reported experiencing severe forms of online harassment, such as physical threats, sexual harassment, and stalking. According to the same study, while harassment is not increasing, the severity of the harassment is. Since 2014, the prevalence of sexual harassment online has more than doubled, rising from 5% to 11% of all Americans.

Sexually Transmitted Infections Awareness

The American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) promotes Sexually Transmitted Infections/Disease Awareness Month in April to raise awareness and promote disease/infection prevention.

This year, ASHA is emphasising the importance of testing. Yes means test.

What are STIs and STDs?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that are transmitted during sexual contact. A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is a disease that develops as a result of a STI, such as Pelvic Inflammatory disease or AIDS. Both the terms STI and STD are used interchangeably by medical professionals and laypeople.

Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, human papillomavirus (HPV), and syphilis are some of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Other less common STIs include bacterial vaginosis, genital herpes, human acquired immunodeficiency virus (HIV), congenital syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Antibiotics can treat common STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis, but there is no cure for viral STIs.

Get the facts!

STIs are much more common than they used to be. In 2019, there was a significant increase in Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Congenital Syphilis in the United States. Case reports have continued to rise over the last two decades, with only brief dips or plateaus. Chlamydia is diagnosed 2.2 times more frequently, and Gonorrhea 1.5 times more frequently, than in the year 2000. Furthermore, Syphilis is diagnosed 5.7 times more frequently and Congenital Syphilis is diagnosed 3 times more frequently than in the year 2000.

Furthermore, different demographics of people are more likely to be infected with each type of STI. Chlamydia case rates, for example, are highest among adolescents and young adults under the age of 25. Likewise, men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with gonorrhoea.

Finally, failure to seek treatment due to a lack of symptoms results in disease spread and worsening health conditions. Women with untreated Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, for example, can develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can lead to infertility and/or ectopic pregnancy.