For a third year, the Urology Care Foundation, American Urological Association (AUA) and the Bladder Health Alliance – a coalition of groups representing physicians, patients and veterans – are drawing on the month of November to raise awareness about bladder conditions and encourage individuals to take an active role in managing their bladder health.
Millions of Americans struggle with the impacts of such bladder conditions and disease as urinary incontinence, overactive and underactive bladder, interstitial cystitis, urinary tract infections, nocturia, bedwetting, bladder cancer and neurogenic bladder, on a daily basis. These conditions have a significant impact on an individual’s health and quality of life, and result in substantial health costs (estimated to be more than $70 billion per year).
“Raising bladder health awareness and encouraging men and women to talk about their bladder health symptoms is a critical first step in eliminating the stigma associated with bladder-related conditions and disease,” said Harris Nagler, MD, President of the Urology Care Foundation. “It’s important for individuals to talk to their healthcare provider about what’s bothering them, including changes in their urinary function or urinary symptoms. Many times these conditions can be treated through simple lifestyle changes, oral medical treatments, diet and exercise.”
To support participation in Bladder Health Month, a number of downloadable resources – including fact sheets, posters, social media messages and patient brochures – are available on the Urology Care Foundation Bladder Health Month Resource Center. Additionally, the Foundation, AUA and organizations within the Bladder Health Alliance, will use the following weekly themes to connect, educate and inspire people across the country to get the facts, get diagnosed and take control of their Bladder Health:
November 1 – 3 | Bladder Health Overview
November 4 – 10 | Interstitial Cystitis, Neurogenic Bladder & Bladder Infection/UTI
November 11 – 17 | Bladder Cancer
November 18 – 24 | Incontinence, OAB & SUI
November 25 – 30 | Bedwetting & Nocturia
Bladder Health Month officially begins Thursday, November 1. The Urology Care Foundation has developed a web pagewith resources for the public, in addition to its Twitter (hashtag #BladdersMatter), Facebook, Pinterest and Instagramplatforms to disseminate this information for public use and dialogue.
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognized the Urology Care Foundation, as the official sponsor of this National Health Observance. The Foundation aims to support and improve the prevention, detection and treatment of urologic diseases through research and education.