World Health Awareness Days and International Health Days 2026

Published by Vishesh Hospital

Global public health awareness days play a vital role in educating communities about essential health topics and promoting wellness practices. Every year, numerous organizations, hospitals, and community groups actively participate in observing and promoting world health days. These dedicated days focus on raising consciousness about specific medical conditions and public health challenges.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and The United Nations encourage individuals, healthcare institutions, and communities worldwide to actively participate in health awareness initiatives and share evidence-based information about health issues affecting populations.

Every person should engage in these health observances to support a healthier society. Sharing knowledge about the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol on physical health, encouraging blood donation, promoting balanced nutrition, and advocating for preventive medicine can collectively create a healthier world.

January 2026

January 01-31 – Cervical Health Awareness Month
January 25 – World Leprosy Day (Last Sunday of January – International)
January 30 – World Leprosy Day (India – Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary)
January 30 – World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day

February 2026

February 04 – World Cancer Day | UICC
February 09 – Toothache Day / World Toothache Day
February 09 – International Epilepsy Day (2nd Monday of February)
February 28 – Rare Disease Day (Last day of February)

March 2026

March 03 – World Hearing Day | WHO
March 04 – World Obesity Day | World Obesity Federation
March 05 – National Dissociative Identity Disorder Awareness Day
March 08 – International Women’s Day | UN Women
March 12 – World Kidney Day (2nd Thursday of March)
March 16 – National Immunization Day (India) | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
March 20 – World Oral Health Day | FDI World Dental Federation
March 21 – World Down Syndrome Day | UN
March 22 – World Water Day | UN-Water
March 24 – World Tuberculosis Day | WHO
March 30 – World Bipolar Day

April 2026

April 02 – World Autism Awareness Day | Autism Speaks
April 07 – World Health Day | WHO
April 11 – World Parkinson’s Disease Day | World Parkinson Coalition
April 14 – World Chagas Disease Day
April 17 – World Hemophilia Day | World Federation of Hemophilia
April 19 – World Liver Day
April 19 – World Irritable Bowel Syndrome Day | IBS Network
April 22 – Earth Day | UN
April 22-29 – World Primary Immunodeficiency Week | IPOPI
April 24-30 – World Immunization Week | WHO
April 25 – World Malaria Day | WHO
April 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work | ILO
April (Month) – Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month
April (Month) – Stress Awareness Month
April (Month) – International Cesarean Awareness Month | ICAN

May 2026

May 03 – World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day | SAA
May 05 – World Hand Hygiene Day | WHO
May 05 – World Asthma Day (1st Tuesday in May) | GINA
May 08 – World Thalassaemia Day | TIF
May 08 – World Ovarian Cancer Day
May 10 – World Lupus Day | Lupus Foundation
May 12 – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Day / ME/CFS Awareness Day
May 12 – International Nurses Day | ICN
May 15 – International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day
May 17 – World Hypertension Day | WHL
May 18 – World AIDS Vaccine Day | NIH
May 19 – World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day | EFCCA
May 22 – World Preeclampsia Day
May 25 – World Thyroid Day
May 29 – World Digestive Health Day | WGO
May 30 – World Multiple Sclerosis Day | MS International Federation
May 31 – World No Tobacco Day | WHO
May (Month) – Mental Health Awareness Month

June 2026

June 05 – World Environment Day | UNEP
June 08 – World Brain Tumor Day | IBTA
June 09-15 – International Men’s Health Week
June 14 – World Blood Donor Day | WHO
June 15 – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day | UN
June 16-22 – World Continence Week | Continence Foundation
June 18 – Autistic Pride Day
June 19 – World Kidney Cancer Day | IKCC
June 19 – World Sickle Cell Day | WHO
June 21 – International Day of Yoga | UN
June 25 – World Vitiligo Day
June 26 – International Day against Drug Abuse | UNODC
June 29-July 05 – World Allergy Week | WAO
June (Month) – Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month | Alzheimer’s Association
June (Month) – Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
June (Month) – Cancer Immunotherapy Month

July 2026

July 01 – National Doctors Day (India) | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
July 11 – World Population Day | UNFPA
July 22 – World Brain Day | WFN
July 23 – World Sjogren’s Day | Sjogren’s Foundation
July 24 – International Self-Care Day | ISF
July 25 – World IVF Day
July 28 – World Hepatitis Day | WHO
July 29 – World ORS Day
July (Month) – Sarcoma or Bone Cancer Awareness Month

August 2026

August 01 – World Lung Cancer Day
August 01-07 – World Breastfeeding Week | WABA
August 03 – Indian Organ Donation Day | MOHAN Foundation
August 13 – World Organ Donation Day
August 31 – International Overdose Awareness Day

September 2026

September 01-07 – National Nutrition Week (India) | NIN
September 08 – World Physiotherapy Day | World Physiotherapy
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day | IASP
September 12 – World First Aid Day (2nd Saturday of September) | IFRC
September 13 – World Sepsis Day
September 15 – World Lymphoma Awareness Day | Lymphoma Coalition
September 15-21 – World Mitochondrial Disease Week (3rd Week of September) | Mito Foundation
September 17 – World Patient Safety Day | WHO
September 19 – Usher Syndrome Awareness Day (3rd Saturday of September)
September 21 – World Alzheimer’s Day | ADI
September 25 – World Lung Day
September 25 – World Pharmacists Day | FIP
September 26 – World Contraception Day
September 28 – World Rabies Day | GARC
September 29 – World Heart Day | WHF
September (Month) – PCOS Awareness Month | PCOS Awareness Association

October 2026

October 01 – International Day for Older Persons | UN
October 01-31 – Breast Cancer Awareness Month | NBCF
October 01-31 – Rett Syndrome Awareness Month | Rett Syndrome Research Trust
October 05 – World Meningitis Day | Meningitis Research Foundation
October 06 – World Cerebral Palsy Day
October 08 – World Sight Day (2nd Thursday of October) | IAPB
October 10 – World Mental Health Day | WHO
October 12 – World Arthritis Day
October 13 – World Thrombosis Day | ISTH
October 15 – World Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day
October 15 – Global Handwashing Day
October 16 – World Spine Day | World Spine Care
October 16 – World Anaesthesia Day
October 16 – World Food Day | FAO
October 17 – World Trauma Day
October 19 – World Paediatric Bone and Joint Day
October 19-25 – International Infection Prevention Week (3rd Week of October) | APIC
October 20 – World Osteoporosis Day | IOF
October 21 – World Iodine Deficiency Day | ICCIDD
October 22 – International Stuttering Awareness Day | ISA
October 24 – World Polio Day | WHO | Rotary
October 25-November 01 – International Brain Tumour Awareness Week
October 29 – World Stroke Day | WSO
October 29 – World Psoriasis Day | IFPA

November 2026

November 01-30 – Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month | PanCAN
November 01-30 – Lung Cancer Awareness Month
November 01-30 – Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
November 01-30 – Prostate Cancer Awareness Month | Movember
November 07 – National Cancer Awareness Day (India)
November 08 – World Radiography Day | ISRRT
November 10 – World Immunization Day
November 10 – World Keratoconus Day
November 10 – World Neuroendocrine Cancer Day | INCA
November 12 – World Pneumonia Day
November 14 – World Diabetes Day | IDF
November 15-21 – National Newborn Care Week (India)
November 15 – World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (3rd Sunday in November)
November 17 – World Prematurity Day
November 17 – National Epilepsy Day (India)
November 17 – Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action
November 18 – World COPD Day (3rd Wednesday of November) | GOLD
November 18-24 – World Antimicrobial Awareness Week | WHO
November 19 – World Pancreatic Cancer Day (3rd Thursday of November)

December 2026

December 01 – World AIDS Day | WHO | UNAIDS
December 01-31 – Constipation Awareness Month
December 03 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities | UN
December 12 – International Universal Health Coverage Day | WHO

Key Organizations & Resources

International Organizations

World Health Organization (WHO) – Official global health campaigns
United Nations (UN) – International observances
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) – Health days for Americas region
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – US health information

India-Specific Resources

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India – Official Indian health ministry
National Health Portal India – Comprehensive health information for India
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Medical research in India

Additional Resources

Awareness Days Calendar – Comprehensive awareness days listing
Days of the Year – International day tracker
Health Finder – Health observances calendar

Notes

Dates marked with specific day patterns (e.g., “2nd Thursday,” “Last Sunday”) are calculated accurately for 2026
Monthly observances run throughout the entire month
Some days have multiple health observances on the same date
India-specific observances are marked with “(India)”
All dates verified for the year 2026
Links lead to official organization websites and campaign pages
Some smaller observances may not have dedicated websites but are recognized globally

Document Created: January 2026
Last Updated: January 01, 2026

For the most current information about each health awareness day, please visit the official organization websites linked above. Campaign themes and activities may be updated closer to each observance date.