Throughout the year, there are many events and holidays that aim to raise awareness for and prevent various diseases, conditions, mental health disorders, health and humanity crises, violence in the nation and more.
Help the South Dakota Department of Health raise awareness for these events or even host your own event. Let’s make South Dakotans healthier and happier one event at a time.
Upcoming Health Events
January
Cervical Health Awareness Month
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
February
International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
[National Children’s Dental Health Month](https://www.ada.org/resources/community-initiatives/national-childrens-dental-health-month#:~:text=The February 2023 National Children's,to you by the ADA.)
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
7 National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
7 - 14 Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week
22 National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day
27- March 5 National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
March
Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
National Cancer Prevention Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
National Professional Social Work Month
10 National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
12 - 18 [National Sleep Awareness Week®](https://www.thensf.org/sleep-awareness-week/#:~:text=Join us from March 13,the importance of sleep health.)
12 - 18 Patient Safety Awareness Week
13 - 19 Brain Awareness Week
17 Saint Patrick’s Day
20 National Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
19 - 25 National Poison Prevention Week
28 American Diabetes Alert Day
29 Tobacco Spring Institute – Oacoma
April
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month
National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
National Minority Health Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Month
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
3 - 9 National Public Health Week
9 Easter
11 – 17 Black Maternal Health Week
22 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
23 - 29 National Infertility Awareness Week
23 - 29 Laboratory Professionals Week
24 - 28 Every Kid Healthy™ Week
24 – 30 National Infant Immunization Week
24 – 30 World Immunization Week
25 WorkWell Workshop- Mitchell (Enid/Larissa)
28-29 HIV Prevention Planning Group – Rapid City (Sarah Z. and Deb R.)
May
Better Hearing and Speech Month
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
National Stroke Awareness Month
National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
6-12 National Nurses Week
7 - 13 Public Service Recognition Week
8 National Women’s Checkup Day
11 Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
14 Mother’s Day
14 - 20 National Women's Health Week
15-16 Community Health Worker Conference – Sioux Falls (Ben)
17 Cardiovascular Collaborative Annual Meeting – Sioux Falls (Rachel)26 Don't Fry Day
29 Memorial Day
June
Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month Men's Health Month
National Aphasia Awareness Month
National Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month
National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
National Scleroderma Awareness Month
4 National Cancer Survivors Day
10 Family Health and Fitness Day
12-18 Men's Health Week
July
National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month
4 Independence Day
21 HIV Prevention Planning Group – Virtual (Sarah Z. and Deb R.)
August
Children's Eye Health and Safety Month
National Immunization Awareness Month
1 - 7 World Breastfeeding Week
6 - 12 National Health Center Week
10-11 Suicide Prevention Conference – Sioux Falls (Laura S)
September
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
National Cholesterol Education Month
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Newborn Screening Awareness Month
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
10 World Suicide Prevention Day
10 - 16 National Suicide Prevention Week
10 - 16 National Folic Acid Awareness Week
17 - 21 National Farm Safety & Health Week
23 - 30 Falls Prevention Awareness Week
22 Falls Prevention Awareness Day
October
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Bullying Prevention Month
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
1 - 7 Mental Illness Awareness Week
5 National Depression Screening Day
5-6 SD Infection Control Conference - Sioux Falls
11-12 Chronic Disease Partners Meeting- Mitchell (Laura S)
13 Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
15 - 21 International Infection Prevention Week
16 - 20 National Health Education Week
Upcoming Health Board Events
South Dakota professional licensing boards host their own events and meetings. Find a board meeting or event with a specific licensing board through the board portal.