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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.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Nearly 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Rates of breast cancer incidence also occur in men, but at much lower rates (about 18.6 per 100,000 in men versus 133.1 per 100,000 in women).

During the 1980-1990s, the rate of breast cancer incidence rose, largely due to increased breast cancer screening with mammography. The U.S. saw a decline in incidence during the early 2000s after certain hormonal therapy treatments were paused for older women. Since then, the mortality (death) rate of breast cancer in U.S. women have declined by 44% from 1989-2023 due to increased early screenings and improved treatments. For more information, please check out the following:

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

National Breast Cancer Foundation Video Series

Susan G. Komen Organization Resources

Real Pink Podcast By Susan G. Komen Foundation

October is Liver Cancer Awareness month. The liver is one of the largest organs in the body. It filters harmful substances from the blood, produces bile that helps in the digestion of fats, and stores sugar that the body uses for energy. 

Liver cancer in adults occurs in two forms—hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer) and cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type and is relatively rare in the United States. However, the incidence of liver cancer is rising, principally in relation to the spread of hepatitis C. In 2025, there were 42,240 new cases of liver cancer and intrahepatic bile duct cancer diagnoses projected in the United States. Approximately 30,090 people were estimated to die from these cancers. Currently, the five-year relative survival rate is around 22%.

American Association for Cancer Research

Hepatitis B Foundation Resources

American Liver Foundation

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence. Every October, organizations and individuals unite across the country for a national effort to uplift the needs, voices, and experiences of survivors. Congress declared the month of October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989.

Although there has been substantial progress in reducing domestic violence, an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner, and 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. Millions of Americans live in daily, silent fear within their own homes. In addition, every year millions of children are exposed to domestic violence. Domestic violence incidents affect every person within a home and can have long-lasting negative effects on children’s emotional well-being, and social and academic functioning.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline website lists the following common warning signs of abuse:

  • Telling you that you never do anything right.
  • Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them.
  • Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with others, particularly friends, family members, or peers.
  • Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people.
  • Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school.
  • Controlling finances in the household without discussion, such as taking your money or refusing to provide money for necessary expenses.
  • Pressuring you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with.
  • Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol.
  • Intimidating you through threatening looks or actions.
  • Insulting your parenting or threatening to harm or take away your children or pets.
  • Intimidating you with weapons like guns, knives, bats, or mace.
  • Destroying your belongings or your home. 

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Resources

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

November is American Diabetes Month.  “Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces (Type 2 diabetes). Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose. Hyperglycemia, also called raised blood glucose or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.” – Center for Disease Control and Prevention

As of 2024, more than 830 million people worldwide were living with diabetes. Approximately 39 million Americans are living with diabetes, and roughly 1 in 5 people don’t know they have it. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes and Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5% to 10%. As it stands currently, diabetes is the 8th leading cause of death in America.
In the United States:
• Diabetes is the No. 1 cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and adult blindness.
• In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled.
• Medical costs and lost work and wages for people with diagnosed diabetes total $413 billion yearly.
• Medical costs for people with diabetes are more than twice as high as for people who don’t have diabetes.

American Diabetes Association

American Diabetes Association Podcast Links

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease

World Health Organization Facts and Figures

November is COPD Awareness Month. COPD stands for Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease and describes chronic lung diseases including emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. This disease is characterized by breathlessness, tiredness and a cough with or without mucus. COPD is (currently) an incurable disease, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, there are several ways to breathe better and enjoy life.

Most cases of COPD are caused by inhaling pollutants, including  tobacco smoking (cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and vapes), and second-hand smoke. Fumes, chemicals and dust found in many work environments are also contributing factors for developing COPD. Genetics can also play a role in the development of COPD – even if a person has never smoked or has ever been exposed to strong lung irritants before. COPD is usually diagnosed through lung function testing such as spirometry. A spirometry test measures how well your lungs are working, and offers a simple and painless method of diagnosing COPD.

Symptoms of COPD can be different for each person, but some common symptoms are listed below:

  • Increased shortness of breath
  • Frequent coughing (with and without mucus)
  • Wheezing
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Unusual tiredness

COPD Foundation

American Lung Association COPD Awareness Resources

COPD Action Alliance Fact Sheets

November is National Family Caregivers Month. National Family Caregivers Month was first created and advocated for by The National Family Caregivers Association (also known as Caregiver Action Network or CAN) in 1994.

A family caregiver is any individual who provides care for another family member or loved one who has a condition, injury, disease, disability or is otherwise in need of consistent care. The support provided by family caregivers is often crucial for the healing and well-being of those in their care. This can be an incredibly complex and demanding role to fulfill as they are typically the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities.

In fact, today in America, more than 53 million family caregivers provide unpaid care. That’s an economic value totaling more than $470 billion.

National Council on Aging

Caregiver Action Network Resources

International Overdose Awareness Day: "Erasing the Stigma"

St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Resources

December is International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month. The month reminds healthcare workers, waste management workers, laboratory staff, and others to practice sharp safety and follow safety protocols. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates healthcare workers report between 600,000 to 800,000 needlestick and other percutaneous injuries every year.

Sharps injuries can include items other than needles. Other sharps include syringes, lancets, auto-injectors, connection and infusion sets, wires, and scalpels. All sharps are biohazardous waste generated during care, treatment, or services. Punctures from sharps can introduce bloodborne pathogens into the body, like Hepatitis B and C viruses (HPV and HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), as well as others. Most sharps-related injuries can be prevented with proper care. Below are some rules for sharps and sharps container use:

  • Never reach inside these containers to retrieve items.
  • Sharps containers should only be reserved for items that could puncture the skin.
  • Never bend, break, or recap needles or blades.
  • Immediately place needles and other sharps into a sharps disposable container.
  • The location of a sharps container should be deliberate.
  • Report any injuries with sharps.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

SteriCycle: "Sharps 101" Injury Prevention Video

Every year, the first full week of December (Dec. 1st – 7th 2025) is Influenza Awareness Week. This annual event is focused on raising awareness about the importance of getting a yearly flu vaccination to prevent the spread of the flu virus and it’s potential complications.
Between 2010-2023, the United States saw annual estimates between 9 to 40 million illnesses, 120,000 to 600,000 hospitalizations and 6,000 to 52,000 deaths from the influenza virus. Influenza’s prevalence makes it so important to know where and how to get an annual flu vaccine.

Flu shots are available at various locations including:

  • local pharmacies
  • primary care providers
  • clinics
  • even through some employers.

Be sure to check with your local health departments about getting your annual flu shot.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Flu Resource Center

Tennessee Department of Health Influenza Immunizations Info

KidCentral TN Resources

“The first World AIDS Day (December 1st)  took place in 1988, to help raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and honor the lives affected by the epidemic. Since 1988, there has been significant progress in addressing HIV and AIDS thanks to advancements in medical research, increased access to treatment and prevention, and a broader understanding of the virus.” – HIV.gov

World AIDS Day is an important opportunity for communities and individuals to honor the more than 40 million people who have died worldwide from AIDS-related illness since the start of the epidemic more than 40 years ago.

Facts & Figures about HIV and AIDS as of 2024:

  • 40.8 million [37.0 million–45.6 million] people globally were living with HIV.
  • 1.3 million [1 million–1.7 million] people became newly infected with HIV.
  • 630 000 [490 000–820 000] people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2024.
  • 31.6 million people [27.8–32.9 million] were accessing antiretroviral therapy.
  • 91.4 million [73.4 million–116.4 million] people have become infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic.
  • 44.1 million [37.6 million–53.4 million] people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the epidemic.    – UNAIDS.org

World AIDS Day Organization

Nashville CARES

The HIV Podcast

October

November

December

  • National Safe Toys and Gifts Month
    • National Public Health Information Coalition Resources
    • CBS Expert on toy Safety  Video 
  • Handwashing Awareness Week

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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