WOD PRESS RELEASE 2023

Preview: World Obesity Day (WOD), conceptualized and driven by the World Obesity Federation (WOF) is a global health campaign, observed annually on the 4th of March, to raise awareness about the complexity of obesity. There are various biological, psycho-social and structural factors that contribute to an individual becoming overweight or obese.


Salt Awareness Week 

March 

Preview: Annually observed in March, Salt Awareness Week aims to encourage the implementation of evidence-based interventions to reduce salt consumption in the population to protect cardiovascular health.


World Health Day  

April 

Preview: World Health Day takes place on the 7th of April every year and is aimed to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization.


World Hypertension Day 

May 

Preview: The WHD was first inaugurated in May 2005 and has become an annual event that takes place on 17 May each year. The purpose of the WHD is to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer, the modern epidemic.


World No Tobacco Day 

May 

Preview: WNTD is observed around the world every year on 31 May. This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what the World Health Organization (WHO) is doing to fight against the use of tobacco, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.


Employee Wellness Week 

July 

Preview: The first week of July is Employee Wellness Week – an opportunity to raise awareness of the need to create a healthy work environment. In an unhealthy work environment, there is decreased productivity, higher absenteeism and presenteeism, poor work ethic and lower safety in the workplace.


Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Week 

August 

Preview: Each year the first week of August is dedicated to highlighting and raising awareness about this entirely preventable disease which causes unnecessary death and suffering amongst the poorest communities in our country.


Heart Awareness Month

September

Preview: Celebrated annually in September, this month is dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular disease in South Africa and culminates on World Heart Day on the 29th of September. Heart Awareness Month has long been a platform for raising awareness about heart disease and highlighting the importance of a healthy lifestyle and appropriate treatment.


World Heart Day

29 September

Preview: World Heart Day is a global campaign during which individuals, families, communities, and governments around the world participate in activities to take charge of their heart health and that of others. Through this campaign, the World Heart Federation unites people from all countries and backgrounds in the fight against the CVD burden and inspires and drives international action to encourage heart-healthy living across the world. We and our members believe in a world where heart health for everyone is a fundamental human right and a crucial element of global health justice.


National Nutrition Week and Obesity Week 

October 

Preview: National Nutrition Week and National Obesity Week (NNOW) is celebrated annually in October. The aim is to create awareness among consumers about obesity and the importance of eating healthy. The theme for NNOW is always in line with the importance of healthy eating, especially in the context of any challenges we face and for those with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).


National Stroke Week

28 October – 3 November

Preview: Although stroke is a complex medical issue, there are ways to significantly reduce its impact.  Prof. Pamela Naidoo, CEO of the HSFSA states that “Recognising the signs of a stroke early, treating it as a medical emergency and having access to the most appropriate professional health care, can substantially improve outcomes.  These are key priorities that the HSFSA would like to highlight on World Stroke Day”.  More about this year’s theme will be revealed by mid-October.