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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.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Sexual assault and sexual violence happen in every country, in every neighborhood, in all cultures and across all ages. It is defined as “any type of unwanted sexual contact, includes words and actions of a sexual nature against a person’s will and without their consent.” This can include the use force, threats, manipulation, or coercion to commit sexual violence. Sexual violence may or may not involve force. – National Sexual Violence Resource Center

More than 80% of women and 43% of men have reported experiencing unwanted sexual harassment nationwide. Additionally, 1 in 3 female victims and 1 in 4 male victims of completed or attempted rape cases experience them for the first time between the ages of 11 and 17 years old. Of these interactions, most occur with an intimate partner or an acquaintance (around 90% for women and 52% of men) and false reporting remains very low (between 2-10% of all cases). Check the links below for more resources.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

NSVRC Podcast Episodes

RAINN Organization National Support Hotline

TN Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence

April is National Stress Awareness Month. Most adults and plenty of adolescents have experienced stressful moments, but chronic stress can be a real issue for our health. It affects our emotional, physiological, mental and societal well-being in many ways, so finding ways to manage and relieve our stress is increasingly important for our health. In an online survey the American Psychological Association states about 69% of adults 18 years and older in the US felt they needed more emotional support over the past year. The main categories where American’s feel the most stress are listed below:

  • Future of the Nation – 76%
  • Economy – 75%
  • Work – 69%
  • Spread of Misinformation – 69%
  • Money – 66%
  • Politics – 65%
  • Housing costs – 65%
  • Mass shootings – 65%
  • Social divisiveness – 62%
  • The Rise of AI – 57%
  • Relationships – 48%

“People in the U.S. are navigating a landscape shaped by division, disconnection and shifting definitions of purpose. Yet, amid these challenges, many still believe in the possibility of a good life, even if it looks different from before.” – APA “Stress in America 2025” study

American Psychological Association

Huberman Lab Clip: How to Manage Stress

Every April for the last 30 years, we have taken a week to celebrate Public Health Awareness Week. This year it is April 6-12th. “Ready. Set. Action!” is this year’s theme.

“As we celebrate, take a moment to recognize how public health has improved our daily lives, safeguarded our families, expanded our life spans, and strengthened our communities. This week is also a chance to honor the public health workers who show up for us every day — and to advocate for policies and practices that promote good health for all.” – American Public Health Association.

Check out these resources for additional information and events in your area.

American Public Health Association

Public Health Week 2026 Video: Planning and Promotion

TN Public Health Association

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This observance was founded in 1949 by Mental Health America to “highlight the importance of mental wellbeing, educate the public, reduce stigma and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions.” – The National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Mental health awareness plays a vital role in educating others on how to reduce stigma, foster empathy and improve intervention when needed. In America, nearly 1 in 5 adults experience some form of mental illness, and 1 in 20 adults experience serious mental health issues each year. It is estimated that 50% of all lifelong mental illness begins around the age of 14 and that increases to 75% by the age of 24. As of 2023, approximately 1 in 6 youths experienced mental illness, but only about half received treatment. Even with expanded education, some 30 million Americans still lack accessible care for these issues, which highlights the ongoing need to address these disparities.

SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

NIH: National Institute of Mental Health Digital Shareables

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

NPR: Mental Health Matters Podcast

In 1984, May was designated Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The AAFA focuses on providing information about essential life-saving medicines that treat and alleviate symptoms of respiratory and immune health complications for patients with asthma and allergic conditions. Nearly 100 million Americans, or about 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 4 children, experience allergies each year. These can be triggered by food, hay fever, skin, respiratory issues, medications and more.

Reportedly, the annual economic costs of asthma treatment are around $82 billion and medical costs make up almost $50.3 billion. The annual for issues related to allergy costs vary due to what treatments are needed. For example, nasal allergies can cost up for $3 to 4 billion each year, while other reports suggest that childhood food allergies may cost over $28 billion each year after accounting for direct medical and out-of-pocket costs. Below are some additional facts about Allergies and Asthma:

  • Children with food allergies are 2 to 4x more likely to have other related conditions like asthma or other allergies compared with those without.
  • Asthma is the leading chronic disease in children, with highest rates seen in Black Americans.
  • The average price of an albuterol inhaler was $98 in 2024. Between 2014 to 2018, Medicare spend on inhalers increased by 128%. 
  • Researchers estimate that the cost of uncontrolled asthma will be nearly $964 billion from 2019 to 2038.

Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America

Environmental Protection Agency Resources

American Lung Association Resources

May is American Stroke Month. They can happen to anyone at any age, and having a stroke puts you at a higher risk for a second one. “A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it and brain cells die. According to the American Heart Association, 80% of strokes are preventable.” – American Stroke Association.

Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability. They can either be caused by a blockage of blood flow that leads to the brain, (known as an ischemic stroke) or by a burst or ruptured blood vessel that prevents blood from getting to the brain (a hemorrhagic stroke). If a stroke does occur it is important to act immediately. Learn to act F.A.S.T. and follows the signs:

  • F – Face Drooping
  • A – Arm Numbness
  • S – Speech difficulty
  • T – Time to call 911

American Stroke Association Resources

NIH: Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Signs and Symptoms

Tennessee Stroke Alliance Resources

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month. Over 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. The most common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia are: Memory loss that disrupts daily living, difficulty completing regular tasks, confusion about times and places, new issues with speaking and writing, decreased of poor judgement, withdrawal from activities or social life, and changes in mood or personality. In the next 5 years, all members of the “Baby Boom generation (Americans born between 1946 and 1964) will be age 65 or older, the age range of greatest risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s may grow to a projected 12.7 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s disease. – Alzheimer’s Association

Quick Facts:

  • Health and long-term care costs for people living with dementia are projected to reach $384 billion in 2025 and nearly $1 trillion in 2050.
  • The lifetime risk for Alzheimer’s at age 45 is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men.
  • Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.
  • Older Black Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older Whites.
  • Approximately 25% of dementia caregivers in the  “sandwich generation” — meaning that they care not only for an aging parent but also for at least one child

Alzheimer's Association

2025 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures

June is Men’s Health Month and each year, the week leading up to and including Father’s Day (this year it’s the 9th -15th) is specifically Men’s Health Week. This is a great time to focus on keeping our fathers, brothers, uncles, and sons healthy — by educating them on health issues that disproportionately affect men, raising awareness of preventable health problems, and encouraging early detection and treatment of disease. – Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. men and nearly 350,000 men die of cardiovascular disease each year. Currently, about 34% of U.S. adult men are  obese, and 32% have hypertension. Plus, men aged 60 and over are more likely to be obese than younger men. Another area of Men’s Health that needs more attention is around cancer risks. More than 700,000 men are diagnosed with cancer each year; 300,000 of those cases will result in death. More U.S. men die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer and regular screenings can help reduce the risks of developing other types of cancer. Prostate cancer and colorectal cancer are the second and third most common causes of cancer death in U.S. men, respectively. 

Men's Health Month Organization

The Men's Health Podcast

Vanderbilt University Center for Research on Men's Health

June is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)p develops in some people after experiencing a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. Most people experience a range of reactions after a traumatic event and recover from those initial symptoms naturally. However, people who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. Symptoms can range from re-experiencing the event through intense memories of sounds, smells and other sensations, disassociating or avoiding from their surroundings, or becoming hyper-aware of their environment as if they are in danger. “Anyone can develop PTSD, including children, teens, and adults, who have been through physical or sexual assault, abuse, accident, disaster, war or combat, or other serious events.” – National Institute of Mental Health

As of 2024, the World Health Organization stated:

  • Approximately 70% of people will experience a traumatic event in their lives and about 6% of those people will develop or experience symptoms of PTSD.
  • An estimated 3.9% of the world population has had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some stage in their lives.
  • Feeling supported by family, friends or other people following the potentially traumatic event can reduce the risk of developing PTSD.
  • More women are affected by PTSD than men.

US Department of Veteran Affairs

National Institute of Mental Health

World Health Organization

April

  • Alcohol Awareness Month
  • National Autism Acceptance Month & Day (April 2nd)
  •  National Stress Awareness Month
    • National Institute of Health Stress Awareness Info
    • Working for a Healthier Tennessee Info
    • National Alliance of Mental Illness Video
    • 9 Tips to Reducing Stress Article
    • How to Manage & Better Understand Stress – Dr. Elissa Epel & Dr. Andrew Huberman – Podcast
    • 5 Tools to Protect Your Brain from Stress & Feel Calmer with Aditi Nerurkar, MD – Podcast
  • Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
  • Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month
    • American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts & Figures 2025 Report
    • CDC National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
    • Rural Health Association of Tennessee Resources
    • Prevent Cancer Foundation Resources
    • Cancer Research Institute Information
    • NIH National Cancer Institute: Division of Cancer Prevention Resource
    • World Health Organization Preventing Cancer Information
  • National Public Health Week April 7-13

May:

June

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

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