April is IBS Awareness Month
If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you are not alone – IBS is common with worldwide prevalence estimated at 9% to 23%. Although the condition is associated with heavy economic and social burdens, many people remain undiagnosed and unaware that their symptoms indicate a medically recognized disorder.
Attention Healthcare Professionals
- In support of IBS Awareness Month, IFFGD will provide your office with complimentary copies of our Spring issue of Digestive Health Matters. The issue features accessible articles written by noted experts about IBS as well as information about managing other digestive disorders. Simply send us an email with your name and mailing address, and we will send 10 copies at no charge.
In an effort to bring attention to the symptoms and difficulties associated with irritable bowel syndrome, IFFGD has designated April as IBS Awareness Month. Beginning with the first IBS Awareness Month in April 1997, and every subsequent year, we work to focus attention on important health messages about IBS diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life issues. IBS Awareness Month is listed on the U.S. National Health Observances calendar.
The U.S. National Health Information Center (NHIC) Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion describes health observances as days, weeks, or months devoted to promoting particular health concerns. Health professionals, teachers, community groups, and others can use these special times to sponsor health promotion events and stimulate awareness of health issues.
Recent IBS Awareness Messages from IFFGD
Every April, IFFGD efforts to support the IBS Awareness Month include public service media outreach to print media, and selected radio and television outreach.
Awareness – year round – is essential to furthering support of research and improved care. Yet the nature of IBS symptoms makes it difficult to talk about. On the other hand, it is easy for others to ignore a disorder when those who suffer from its consequences do so in silence. We need to be heard.
We encourage support of public service messages about IBS. Contact IFFGD for more information regarding educational messages about IBS Awareness.
Help us to raise the dialogue about IBS to a new level of increased understanding. Thank you.