July is ___________ Month

In terms of observed causes, July is a relatively 'light' month. Still, we here at New Voices think it is important to give these important health-related causes the attention the deserve.

July is . . .

Hemochromatosis Awareness Month--Hemochromatosis is also referred to as Iron Overload Disorder. Organs cannot function properly when too much iron is present in the body. Too little iron can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Treatment options are available. For more information, visit the Iron Disorders Institute.

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month--Rheumatoid arthritis is familiar to many of us. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is the most common form of juvenile arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability. The cause of JRA is unknown, but treatment options are available. The Arthritis Foundation offers excellent resources.

Group B Strep Awareness Month--Group B strep (GBS) is a bacteria that occurs naturally in the digestive tract and birth canal of 1 in 4 women. Babies can be infected by GBS during birth. According to the Centers for Disease Control, GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborns. Group B Strep International offers resources to learn more about GBS.

Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Awareness Month--Phelan-McDermid Syndrome is a genetic disorder also referred to as 22q13 Deletion Syndrome. There is a large range of emotional, mental, physical and developmental characteristics associated with 22q13 Disorder. According to the 22q13 Deletion Foundation, 100 percent of individuals with 22q13 Deletion who were studies exhibited global development delay and absent or severely delayed speech. The 22q13 Deletion Foundation offers information about current research into this genetic disorder.

Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month--Bebe Moore Campbell was an accomplished author, advocate, co-founder of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Urban Los Angeles and national spokesperson for mental illness, who passed away in November 2006. According to the World Health Organization, four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the US and other developed countries are mental disorders. For more information, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Take a moment to browse the informational material provided by these organizations. With greater awareness comes a great possibility for treatments and cures to these diseases and disorders.