Complete 2024 calendar of health observances and holidays in the US (free monthly downloads)

We may be heading into the dog days of summer, but the August calendar is just as full of important healthcare observances and ample opportunities for your medical office to engage with your community, share vital health information with your patients, and encourage proactive healthcare behaviors. 

August offers 5 specific marketing opportunities to help you engage with your patients: 

Because of vaccines, some of the most deadly and debilitating diseases in history are now under control — while others, like smallpox, have been eradicated. That said, keeping them under control is an ongoing effort, and staying up to date is vital. 

While National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is observed every August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages, it almost seems fitting that it coincides with back-to-school preparations across the country. NIAM is an opportunity to educate your patients and community about the benefits of vaccination and encourage people to stay updated with their immunizations.

Marketing ideas and activities:

While the phrase "breast is best" has become wildly popular in the last 10 to 15 years, most people may not know how dynamic and powerful breastmilk actually is. Breastmilk contains a host of essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect infants from short- and long-term illnesses like ear infections, stomach bugs, asthma, obesity, and type 1 diabetes.

In 2011, the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) officially declared August National Breastfeeding Month — which coincides with National WIC Breastfeeding Week (the first week of August) hosted by the US Department of Agriculture.

Both observances aim to support and encourage breastfeeding and raise awareness about the support systems available to new mothers and birthing parents. 

Shining a light on why protecting, promoting, and supporting lactation is so important, the 2024 NBM theme is nourish, sustain, thrive.

Marketing ideas and activities:

Studies show that African Americans make up the largest group of minorities in need of organ transplants, yet they are consistently underrepresented in the donor pool. Pair that with statistics like 17 people die each day while they wait for a transplant, and the picture looks pretty grim. 

In light of such startling statistics, August has been designated as National Minority Donor Awareness Month, the aim of which is to raise awareness about the need for more organ, eye, and tissue donors from minority communities.

Marketing ideas and activities:

Other month-long observances for August 2024 include:

In addition to month-long healthcare observances, there are ample daily and weekly healthcare observances to note for any marketing activities you may like to plan. 

The latest statistics from the National Institutes of Health show that over 100,000 people in the US died from drug-related overdose in 2022. And with the ongoing opioid epidemic, we suspect those numbers will only increase in the coming years. 

To shine a light on the problem, International Overdose Awareness Day is observed globally on August 31 each year. The primary message of Overdose Awareness Day is one of awareness about drug overdoses and ways to curtail the stigma of drug-related deaths. Moreover, the observance is intended to acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends of those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose. The symbols for overdose awareness are silver and purple ribbons. 

Marketing ideas and activities:

The American Cancer Society reports that while death rates from cancer have been on the decline since 1989, breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in women. 

The only good news here is that decreases in breast cancer deaths may be attributable to new research, earlier screenings, increased awareness, and new and improved treatment options. 

To keep things moving in the right direction, World Breast Cancer Research Day is observed annually on August 18. This day highlights the importance of funding and supporting breast cancer research and is dedicated to advancing the understanding of breast cancer and improving the treatment options available to patients.

Marketing ideas and activities:

Other daily and weekly observances include:

June offers various healthcare observances to help you engage with your patients.

Learn about monthlong May observances to mark on your calendar.

Here are some monthlong April observances to have on your radar.

Discover which March events to have on your radar for your patients and communities.

Tebra can help you pre-plan and easily create and edit website content.

Learn about week-long observances and individual days to promote and boost patient health.

A well-thought-out calendar can help align practice marketing efforts and engage with patients and the broader community. Here’s a list of healthcare marketing ideas for February.

To help you tailor your marketing strategy, here are a few key January observances to note on your annual marketing calendar. 

By embracing these observances, medical practices can lean into thoughtful marketing strategies to show patients they care and amplify their community impact. Social media campaigns, a targeted email strategy, website content, and community outreach events are great ways to help disseminate valuable information and foster a culture of proactive health care and management. Moreover, by aligning healthcare services with the needs of the community during these awareness months, providers can empower individuals to prioritize their health and well-being throughout the year.