Health Observances in the Month of May
Find a topic that you're interested in and share our ready-to-use content on social media.
There are so many opportunities to celebrate sexual health in May, from monthly observances to notable awareness days. As May is named after a Roman goddess associated with fertility, sharing some content on syphilis testing in pregnancy would be right on theme, as would raising awareness about a #periodfriendlyworld.
Monthly Observances
- May is Sex Ed for All Month—an annual campaign coordinated by the Sex Education Collaborative—is a national call to action to ensure all young people have access to sex education that is comprehensive, medically accurate, and inclusive.
- Speaking of sex ed, research shows that quality sex education has broad, long-term benefits for young people’s’ physical and mental health. Maybe it’s no coincidence that May is also Mental Health Awareness Month.
- For Women’s Health Month, ASHA has two sets of carousels you can share—one on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and another on congenital syphilis prevention.
- Finally, May is also Hepatitis Awareness Month, an excellent time to share the fact that two types of hepatitis can be prevented by vaccines.
Awareness Days
May 9 | Free the Pill Day
This day commemorates the anniversary of the FDA’s original approval of the first birth control pill in the U.S. back in 1960. Now, May 9 also commemorates the anniversary of the FDA advisory committee hearing on Opill, which was approved in 2023 as the first-ever over-the-counter daily birth control pill available in the United States! To learn more, go to Free the Pill.
May 17 | International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia
May 18 | HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD)
Celebrated on May 18, HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD) is a chance to thank volunteers, community members, healthcare experts, and researchers working towards a safe and effective HIV vaccine. It’s also a time to inform communities about the vital role of HIV vaccine research, recognizing progress made and challenges ahead. #HIVAwareness #HVAD #HIV #HIVvaccine #HIVAIDS @CDCgov @CDC_HIV
May 19 | National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
May 19 is National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This observance raises awareness of the impact of HIV, risk, and stigma surrounding HIV in the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community.
May 28 | World Menstrual Hygiene Day (#periodfriendlyworld)
May 28 is World Menstrual Hygiene Day. In a #PeriodFriendlyWorld, the stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation are history. It is a world where everyone can access the products, period education, menstrual health services, and period-friendly infrastructure they need.
Below are carousel posts with content for some of May’s awareness months. A single click will download all of the images in a .zip file.
Women's Health Month—Congenital Syphilis Prevention
Suggested message:
There’s a big jump in babies born with #syphilis in the U.S. The good news is it’s preventable. Are you #pregnant or thinking about it? Talk w/your health care provider about testing & treatment options if needed. Learn more @bit.ly/42lLrfO
Women's Health Month—STIs
Suggested message:
Sexual health is an important, and sometimes neglected, part of overall health. During #WomensHealthMonth, take some time to focus on your sexual health. Getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a great place to start.
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Suggested message:
What is hepatitis, and how is it related to sexual health? Some types of hepatitis can be sexually transmitted. Learn more https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/hepatitis/ #hepA #hepB #hepC#HepatitisAwarenessMonth #HepAware #STI
Mental Health Awareness Month
Suggested message:
It’s Mental Health Awareness Month 🧠 💚 🎗️It is important to highlight how mental and sexual health are intertwined. #mentalhealth #sexualhealth #hormones #SSRIs#medications #sextherapy #mentalhealthmonth #breakthestigma