Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous silicate mineral. It was considered a versatile product because it is able to withstand heat, erosion and decay and has fire and water resistant properties. It becomes a health risk when asbestos fibres are released into the air and breathed in. Asbestos is still present in many homes and buildings across Australia, so it is important for home owners and renovators to be aware of how to safely manage asbestos in and around the home.

This year’s National Asbestos Awareness Week campaign asks Australians to Think Twice About Asbestos. The campaign challenges complacency by reminding home renovators and tradespeople that the danger of asbestos is far from over.

The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness amongst the public and key trades about the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos fibres, where asbestos products can be found and prompt behavioural change – to contact a licensed asbestos professional.

Get involved during the Asbestos Awareness Week by learning how to stay safe when fixing up your place:

• Get in the know: Find out whether your home was built or renovated before 1990. Asbestos was used in thousands of building materials at the time.
• Take it slow: Don’t damage or disturb asbestos materials. This can release dangerous asbestos fibres into the air.
• Get a pro: Know your limits. Contact a licensed asbestos professional for advice on where it’s located, and on how to manage or remove it.

For more information, visit: https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/naaw-2021

NICU Awareness Month in November is a time to recognise the importance of Neonatal Intensive Care Units and their amazing staff around Australia. They offer specialised care and help make a difference to over 48,000 babies who are born prematurely or sick every year.

132 babies are born each day requiring specialised care.

Get involved this November by:

• Thanking all those involved in care for neonates
• Raising awareness on social media
• Hosting a fundraising event

For more information, visit: https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/shop-event.php?intid=61

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week aims to increase awareness of and response to global antimicrobial resistance. A central goal is to avoid the increase of drug-resistant infections by encouraging best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers.

The theme for 2021 is  ‘Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance’.

Anitmicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites resist the effects of medications, making common infections more difficult to appropriately treat. This increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. One of the main objectives of World Anitmicrobial Awareness Week is to increase awareness through appropriate communication, education and training.

The 2021 campaign calls on stakeholders, including policymakers, health care providers, and the general public to recognise that everyone can be an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness champion.

Get involved this November by:

• Spreading awareness about what antimicrobial resistance is
• Sharing stories about its consequences
• Demonstrating how the actions of individuals, families, professionals, and communities affect the spread of antimicrobial resistance 

For more informaiton, visit: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week/2021

White Ribbon Day provides an opportunity to bring people together to raise awareness and commit to action to prevent men’s violence against women. White Ribbon Australia’s purpose includes:

• Believing men have a role in preventing violence against women.
• Providing prevention programs that engage men at the individual, community, and population level.
• Working towards materially decreasing rates of men’s violence against women.

White Ribbon Day 2021 theme is ‘How Can Men Make Change?’ Learn, Give, Take Action’. Everyone getting involved this year is encourage to commit to doing three things:

• Learn: Access training and resources about gender inequality and violence.
• Give: Donate to White Ribbon Australia or a host a fundraising event.
• Take action: Become a White Ribbon Australia Community Partner, start a Community Action Group, or get your workplace White Ribbon Accredited.

Get involved this November by:

• Hosting an event
• Making a donation
• Purchasing and wearing a white ribbon

For more information, visit: https://events.whiteribbon.org.au/get-involved/join-an-existing-event/whiteribbonday

World COPD Day is a worldwide campaign aimed at raising awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and improve COPD care throughout the world. The 2021 theme for World COPD Day will be “Healthy Lungs – Never More Important” and take place on November 17th.

This year’s aim is to highlight that the burden of COPD remains, in spite of the ongoing global COVID pandemic.  Even in light of COVID,  COPD remains a leading cause of death worldwide – there is never a more important time to focus on lung health!

Keeping your lungs healthy can include

• Avoiding cigarettes, air pollution or occupational exposures
• Staying active either through regular physical activity or pulmonary rehab
•  In addition, receiving important vaccines,
• Keeping medical appointments and taking medications correctly can help keep your lungs healthy!

For more information visit: https://goldcopd.org/

With 2 in 3 Australians diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70, the action week is an important reminder of the risks of exposure to UV radiation, the need for sun protection and early skin cancer detection for all Australians.

Did you know:

• More than 2,000 people in Australia die from skin cancer each year.
• Cancer Council estimates that Australia spends more than $1 billion per year treating skin cancer.
• Every 4 minutes another Australian is diagnosed with skin cancer.
• Most skin cancers can be prevented by the use of good sun protection.
• Surveys show that one in four (26%) of teenagers between the age of 12-17 get sunburnt on summer weekends.
• Despite many Australians referring to a “healthy tan”, a tan is not a sign of good health or well being. In fact, tanning is a sign that you have been exposed to enough UV radiation to damage your skin. This will eventually cause premature aging – including sun spots, wrinkles and sagging, and increases your risk of skin cancer.

Make the pledge today to protect yourself from UV radiation and abstain from tanning.

During National Skin Cancer Action Week and throughout summer, use the five forms of sun protection by:

• slip on sun-protective clothing
• slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
• slap on a broad-brimmed hat
• seek shade
• slide on sunglasses.

A combination of these measures, along with getting to know your skin and regularly checking for any changes, are the keys to reducing your skin cancer risk.

For more information, please visit:
https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/campaigns-and-events/national-skin-cancer-action-week.html

World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. WDD draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight.

463 million adults (1 in 11) were living with diabetes in 2019. 1 in 2 adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed (232 million) – the majority have type 2 diabetes. (WDD)

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is Access to Diabetes Care– If Not Now, When?. Fundamental components of diabetes care include:

• Access to insulin
• Access to oral medicines
• Acess to self-monitoring
• Access to education and psychological support
• Access to healthy food and a safe place to exercise

Get involved this November by:

• Sharing the WDD campaign messages
• Engaging a local or national policy-maker to ensure that all people with diabetes have access to the care they need
• Organising a ‘Learn about diabetes’ event in your workplace

For more information, visit: https://worlddiabetesday.org/about/

World NET Cancer Day is celebrated on the 10th of November and aims to raise awareness of all types of Neuroendocrine cancers (NETs) and provide a voice for those affected by NETs. Neuroendocrine tumors is the umbrella term for a group of unusual cancers which develop from cells in the endocrine system.

There is an estimated 5178 new cases of NETs diagnosed in 2021 throughout Australia.

NETs can affect individuals of any age, and can be slow-growing or very aggressive, which is why it is important to draw attention to this uncommon form of cancer and start a global conversation involving medical professionals, communities and governments.

Get involved this November by:

• Joining a support group
• Donating to the foundation
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser

For more  information, visit:
https://incalliance.org/net-cancer-day/