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Public Health Education

The Medical Foundation of Nashville equips physicians, patients, and community members with knowledge and tools to address pressing public health challenges, fostering informed decision-making and collaboration. By focusing on education, outreach, and community-engaged solutions, we strive to advance public health throughout Middle Tennessee.

FEATURED CONTENT THIS QUARTER

Welcome to our quarterly featured content. Each quarter, this hub highlights key public health observances aimed at raising public awareness on key health issues. Under each tab you will find information and resources about health observances happening this month.

January is Thyroid Awareness Month. The thyroid is a gland in the lower, front part of the neck that produces hormones. These hormones help regulate several of the body’s functions, like endocrine health, affecting metabolism, heart rate and temperature regulation. It impacts every single cell within our bodies. When the thyroid is overactive and produces too many of its hormones, it is known as Hyperthyroidism. Conversely, when this gland doesn’t produce enough of its hormones, it is known as Hypothyroidism. Nearly 20 million Americans live with some type of thyroid disease, but approximately 60% are unaware that they have an issue.

Women are at disproportionately higher risk than men for dealing with thyroid issues, as nearly 1-8 women will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. In 2022, 44,000 cases of thyroid cancer were diagnosed. Undiagnosed thyroid disorders can lead to cardiovascular illnesses, osteoporosis and issues with fertility. Some signs and symptoms of thyroid conditions can include:

  • Depression
  • Eye problems
  • Fatigue
  • Memory Issues
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Unexplained weight gain or weight loss

American Thyroid Association

The Surgical Clinic Nashville

DocTalk Podcast: Thyroid Health

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, focusing on cervical cancer prevention through vaccination and screening. “For the most part, cervical cancer is a preventable disease. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by infections with high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Fortunately, the HPV vaccine currently used in the United States, Gardasil 9, can protect against nine of the 12 high-risk HPV strains” – American Association for Cancer Research

Although cervical cancer rates have declined over the past few decades, the United States saw more than 13,800 people diagnosed with cervical cancer and an estimated 4,360 deaths from the disease in 2024.

“Disparities in cervical cancer across incidence, stage distribution, geography, and mortality largely reflect socioeconomic disparities and a lack of access to care, including cervical cancer screenings, and include the following categories outlined below:

  • Over 50% of new cases are among individuals who have never been screened or are screened infrequently
  • Incidence is >50% higher in American Indian and Alaskan Native people, >30% higher in Hispanic people, and >22% higher in non-Hispanic Black people than in non-Hispanic White people.
  • Non-Hispanic Black people have a 65% higher mortality rate than in Non-Hispanic White people and although the 5-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer is 67% overall, it is just 56% in Non-Hispanic Black people despite having similar screening prevalence.
  • Having access to health insurance matters. According to one study, individuals with private insurance or Medicare were more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier stage compared to those who were uninsured or insured by Medicaid. – American Cancer Society

American Association for Cancer Research

Center for Disease Control Screening Resources

TN Dept. of Health Cervical Cancer Awareness Toolkit

DocTalk Podcast: Cervical Cancer - Diagnosis, Screening and Treatment

January is National Blood Donor Month. Blood donation is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illness and traumatic injuries. In the United States, every 2 seconds someone in the US needs blood. Unfortunately, current supply often doesn’t meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate.

Each year, approximately 7 million people donate blood. About 45% of people in the US have Group O (positive or negative) blood. Typically, this proportion is higher in Hispanic (57%) and African American (51%) populations.

Type O negative red cell can be given to all blood types (Universal donor) and because only 7% of all people in the US are type O negative, it’s always in high demand. Type AB plasma can be transfused to patients of all blood types. Since only 4% of people in the US have type AB blood, it is also in high demand. For more information on blood donation, please follow the links below.

American Red Cross

ImpactLife Blood Donor Month Resources

Mayo Clinic Laboratories Podcast: "Be theType to Save a Life" Episode

February is American Heart Month. Heart disease in the United States is the leading cause of death among men and women, and people across racial and ethnic groups. As of 2022, 1 in 5 deaths in the US were caused by heart disease. High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart disease and affects nearly half of US adults. And just 1 in 4 US adults have it under control, putting them at higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

Additionally, heart disease is costly with healthcare services, medications and lost productivity from complications amounting to nearly $420 billion between 2020-2021. Every 34 seconds, someone dies from cardiovascular disease in America, which is equivalent to 1 in every 3 deaths. To learn more about heart health and cardiovascular disease prevention, follow the links below:

American Heart Association

Center for Disease Control Heart Disease Resources

Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance: Heart Healthy Foods

SNMMI Podcast Series: American Heart Month & Nuclear Cardiology

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This includes physical, emotional, sexual or digital abuse in a current dating relationship, or by a former partner. Young people across the country experience violence at alarming rates with over 70% of women and over 60% of men first experiencing intimate partner violence under the age of 25. 1 in 4 women will experience partner violence prior to the age of 18 and 49% have experienced rape or sexual assault as a minor. Over 80% of women and men both report having experienced their first rape under the age of 25.

Sexual violence is most often committed by someone the survivor knows. Over 28% of girls who have experienced assault by either a former or current partner. Youth who experience sexual violence as children or teens deal with lasting effects and are at higher risk of violence as adults. Therefore, it is critical to promote social norms of protection against violence, supporting victims, and teaching young people about consent and healthy communication in relationships.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

OneLove Organization Resources

Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month Blog

Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that happens when the body’s response to an infection damages vital organs and, often can lead to death. It is the body’s overactive and toxic response to an infection, which can lead to severe sepsis, or septic shock and requires immediate treatment.

Typically, when the body experiences an illness or infection, the immune system works to fight off those infected cells, or pathogens. Unfortunately, for reasons we still don’t understand, sometimes the body and immune system can turn on itself. When this happens, doctors must act fast to prevent severe symptoms including organ dysfunction, difficulty breathing, low or no urine output, abnormal liver tests, and changes in mental and cognitive function.  Septic shock, the most drastic stage is diagnosed when your blood pressure drops to dangerous levels. These patients are moved to the ICU and many physicians refer to them as the “sickest people in the hospital.”

Sepsis is the #1 cost of hospitalization in the US and accounts for nearly $62 billion annually. On average, the cost per hospital stay for sepsis is double that of all other conditions. Nearly 30% of patients diagnosed with sever sepsis do not survive and up to 50% of survivors suffer from post-sepsis syndrome. Until a cure is found, early detection and treatment is essential for survival and limiting disability for survivors.

Sepsis Alliance

TN Center for Patient Safety

The Critical Care Podcast: Sepsis Survivor Episode

March is Endometrosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis affects approximately 10% (190 million) of reproductive age women and girls globally. It is designated as a chronic disease of the endometrium and can cause a multitude of health complications, including life-impacting pain during periods, pain during sexual intercourse, issues with bowel movements and/or urination, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Endometriosis takes years to diagnose and can also sometimes intensify symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as increase the risk of infertility and cancer. If you want to learn more about endometriosis, please click the links below.

FDA Information on Endometriosis

HHS Office on Women's Health Endometriosis Information

BackTable Endometriosis Podcast

Epworth Healthcare Endometriosis Awareness Information

In February, we observe Bleeding Disorder Awareness Month. Bleeding disorders, such as Hemophilia A and B, and von Willebrand Disease (VWD), are conditions where a person’s blood cannot clot properly.

Typically, proteins called clotting factors help to form clots at the site of an injury. However, people with bleeding disorders lack the ability for these proteins to clot naturally and often suffer from uncontrollable bleeding after an injury, trauma, or surgery, get frequent nosebleeds, bruise easily, and can even suffer from spontaneous bleeding. These disorders can be either inherited or acquired over time and roughly about 3 million people are affected. – National Hemophilia Foundation

National Bleeding Disorders Foundation

National Bleeding Disorders
Foundation Webinar Series

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the 4th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. and the 2nd leading cause of cancer death. Yet this cancer can be prevented with screening and is highly treatable when detected early. Each year, approximately 150,000 American’s are diagnosed and 50,000 will die from CRC. Currently, average age of diagnosis is 66 and about 1 in 24 people will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

The recommended age for screening has recently dropped from 50 years to 45 years of age due to an increase in the diagnoses of younger individuals. Younger adults have seen an increase in colorectal cancer, and it’s currently the deadliest cancer among young men and the second deadliest among young women. For more information, please follow the links here. – Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

American College of Gastroenterology Community Health Toolkits

Colorectal Cancer Alliance Screening Quiz

DocTalk Podcast
CRC Screening Awareness (What to Know)

UCLA Health CRC Video Library

January

February

  •  AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
  • National Cancer Prevention Month
  • National Children’s Dental Health Month
  • Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week (7-14)
  • Heart Failure Awareness Week (9-15)
  • National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
  • World Cancer Day (4th)
  • National Wear Red Day (7th)
    • NIH National Health, Lung and Blood Institute Resources 
    • American Heart Association “Go Red for Women” Campaign
    • National Wear Red Day awareness video 
    • Veterans Affairs News: Wear Red Information
  • National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (7th)
  • National Donor Day (14th)
  • Rare Disease Day (28th)
    • National Organization for Rare Disease Resources
    • NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Information
    • St. Jude’s Rare Disease Day Support Page
    • Vanderbilt University Potocsnak Center for Undiagnosed and Rare Disease Resources
    • The Rare Disease Podcast
    • BloodStream Media Rare Disease Day Video

March

Public Health Resources

Tennessee Department of Health

Metro Nashville Public Health Department

Sycamore Institute

My Healthcare Home

MULTI-MEDIA PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCES

Featured Podcast Feeds

Humans in Public Health
Brown University Podcast

George Washington University Health Education Podcast

KFF Health News
Podcast

TED Health
Podcast

Public Health On Call Johns Hopkins SPH Podcast

CDC Emerging Infectious Disease Podcast

GRANT FUNDERS

We are exceedingly grateful for the generous participation of the organizations that provide ongoing grant funding to support our work.
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