Health Awareness Observances in September 2025: A Focus on Our Communities

September is a month of significant health observances, offering a chance for us to reflect on critical issues and the dedicated professionals who address them. For us, these themes resonate deeply with our mission to support the health and well-being of Native communities. Here’s a look at key September observances and how they connect to the vital work being done in Indian Country.

Suicide Prevention and Mental Health

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This is especially crucial for Native communities, which face disproportionately high rates of suicide. The CDC and other health organizations report that American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people have consistently had the highest suicide rates of any racial or ethnic group. For example, in 2022, the age-adjusted suicide rate for non-Hispanic AI/AN individuals were 27.1 deaths per 100,000, significantly higher than the rate for non-Hispanic whites.

This disparity is even more pronounced among young people, with suicide being the second leading cause of death for AI/AN people aged 10–34. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for culturally sensitive mental health support. Source: Office of Minority Health

Tackling Chronic Diseases and Health Disparities

September marks a pivotal time for cancer awareness, spotlighting Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to support young patients battling rare and aggressive diseases, Blood Cancer Awareness Month to emphasize the fight against leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to promote early detection of this often-silent killer affecting women’s health, and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (also known as Prostate Health Month) to encourage screenings and discussions around men’s prostate health.

Amid these observances, it’s crucial to address persistent disparities, as highlighted in a 2009 study on Native American cancer patients in South Dakota, which revealed that Indigenous individuals presented with significantly higher rates of advanced-stage screening-detectable cancers—like breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate—compared to white patients (45% vs. 24%), alongside lower basic screening knowledge and more negative attitudes toward treatment burdens, underscoring the urgent need for culturally tailored education, improved access to preventive care, and targeted interventions to bridge these inequities and ensure equitable health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Source: PMC | Guadagnolo BA, Cina K, Helbig P, Molloy K, Reiner M, Cook EF, Petereit DG. Assessing cancer stage and screening disparities among Native American cancer patients. Public Health Rep. 2009 Jan-Feb;124(1):79-89. doi: 10.1177/003335490912400111. PMID: 19413030; PMCID: PMC2602933.

Weekly/Daily Observances

• National Clinical Nurse Specialist Recognition Week – Sept 1–7
• Environmental Services Week – Sept 7–13
• Vascular Nurses Week – Sept 8–14
• Neonatal Nurses Week – Sept 14–20
• Nursing Professional Development Week – Sept 15–21
• National Surgical Technologist Day/Week, National Rehab Week, Security Officer Appreciation Week – mid‑September
• National IT Professionals Day – Sept 16

The Role of Healthcare Staffing

Beyond a focus on specific diseases, September also emphasizes the importance of a strong healthcare system. Observances such as Healthy Aging Month and National Sickle Cell Awareness Month remind us that comprehensive, continuous care is key to long and healthy lives. In many rural and remote areas, staffing a full complement of medical professionals can be a challenge.

We help bridge that gap by providing a reliable source of talent, from nurses and doctors to mental health specialists. By ensuring IHS facilities are fully staffed, we support the delivery of high-quality, continuous care that is essential for improving health outcomes and life expectancy in Native communities.

Ellsworth LLC is dedicated to addressing these challenges head-on. Our mission is to enhance the lives of Native peoples by supporting the healthcare professionals who serve them. This September, we honor those who work tirelessly to improve health in Indian Country and reaffirm our commitment to being a trusted partner in this critical endeavor.