Posted on 8-December-2025

Health awareness initiatives and campaigns for 2026

Awareness campaigns are opportunities to engage patients, staff, and communities with important healthcare messages. Here’s a month-by-month guide to the most relevant UK and NHS-led awareness days and weeks in 2026, tailored for hospitals, trusts, and healthcare providers.

Daniels Healthcare representatives can support you with some of these initiatives and ideas such as providing sharps safety audits, refresher training, and free resources such as posters and videos. Visit our dedicated Resources Hub for further information or contact your local Daniels Healthcare area manager. Find the list here.

 

January

Health Information Week

• Dates: 19 – 25 January 2026
• Focus: Promoting access to high-quality health information for patients and staff.
• Ideas to get involved:
  • Set up an information stand in your foyer or reception area
  • Share leaflets and trusted online resources via email newsletter or intranet.
• More info.

February

Heart Month

• Date: February 2026
• Focus: Raising awareness of cardiovascular health, cholesterol, and lifestyle changes.
• Ideas to get involved:
  • Offer blood pressure checks
  • promote heart-healthy habits and workplace wellness
• More info.

March

Nutrition and Hydration Week

• Dates: 9 – 15 March 2026
• Focus: Highlighting the importance of nutrition and hydration in patient care.
• Ideas to get involved:
  • Use the official campaign handbook to plan activities.
  • Share your initiatives on social media to amplify the message.
• More info.

April

World Immunisation Week

• Dates: Last week of April 2026
• Focus: Promoting vaccination and safe sharp disposal
• Ideas to get involved:
  • Host awareness sessions.
  • Share immunisation schedules and safety resources.
• More info.

May

Mental Health Awareness Week

• Dates: 11 – 17 May 2026
• Focus: Reducing stigma and supporting mental wellbeing.
• Ideal to get involved:
  • Organise wellbeing workshops
  • Promote staff support services and open conversations about mental health.
• More info.

June

Clean Air Day

• Dates: 18 June 2026
• Focus: Raising awareness of air pollution and its health impacts.
• Ideas to get involved:
  • Promote sustainable travel and greener practices.
  • Reduce emissions from waste transport.
• More info.

July

World Hepatitis Day

• Date: 28 July 2026
• Focus: A WHO‑led global campaign raising awareness of viral hepatitis, prevention, testing, and treatment.
• Ideas to get involved:
  • Run screening and education initiatives.
  • Share prevention resources.
• More info.

August

International Overdose Awareness Day

• Date: 31 August 2026
• Focus: Reducing stigma and promoting harm reduction.
• Ideas to get involved:
  • Collaborate with local services on awareness sessions
  • Share signposting materials for support
• More info.

September

World Patient Safety Day

• Date: 17 September 2026
• Focus: A WHO-led, NHS-supported campaign promoting patient safety and infection prevention.
• Ideas to get involved:
  • Reinforce sharps safety and hygiene protocols.
  • Launch patient-centred safety initiatives.
• More info.

October

Infection Prevention and Control Week

• Dates: 18–24 October 2026
• Focus A global campaign observed by healthcare organisations, focusing on reducing healthcare-associated infections and promoting safe practices. NHS trusts often mark this week with training, awareness sessions, and audits.
• Ideas to get involved:
  • Host hand hygiene refresher sessions.
  • Share posters and run sharps safety demos.
  • Celebrate your trust’s infection prevention successes.
• More info.

November

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) & European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD)

• Dates: 18 – 24 November 2026 (EAAD: 18 November 2026)
• Focus: A global WHO-led campaign, supported across the UK, to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance and promote responsible antibiotic use.
• Ideas to get involved:
  • Refresh ward protocols.
  • Share patient-facing materials on safe antibiotic use.
  • Promote safe sharps disposal.
• More info.

December

World AIDS Day

• Dates: 1 December 2026
• Focus: A global campaign raising awareness of HIV and AIDS
• Ideas to get involved:
  • Host awareness talks.
  • Share myth-busting resources.
  • Promote inclusive healthcare practices.
• More info.

Get Involved

By marking these dates, you can engage staff, patients, and communities with meaningful initiatives. As you look ahead to 2026, which of these awareness days will you be marking in your organisation? Already got plans in place? We’d love to hear how you’re engaging staff and patients and the wider healthcare community. Of course, this calendar is only a snapshot of the many initiatives happening across the UK. Is there one we’ve missed that you’ll be highlighting? Share your ideas in the comments or tag us in your social media posts so we can join the conversation and help spread the word.