July includes several health observances that are especially relevant to adult primary care. These observances bring attention to chronic disease prevention, liver health, brain health, mental health, iron overload, skin protection, and symptoms that should be evaluated rather than ignored. For adults, many of these topics connect back to routine care, preventive screenings, bloodwork, medication management, and early recognition of changes in health.
Chronic Disease Awareness Day – July 10
Chronic Disease Awareness Day is observed on July 10 and highlights the impact of long-term health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, asthma, obesity, arthritis, kidney disease, and chronic lung disease. According to the CDC, chronic diseases account for most illness, disability, and death in the United States and are among the leading drivers of health care costs. Many chronic conditions develop gradually and may not cause obvious symptoms in the early stages.
Routine primary care is important because chronic diseases are often monitored through measurable health markers. Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, A1C, kidney function, liver enzymes, thyroid levels, body weight, and medication response can all provide useful information about a patient’s overall health. Regular follow-up helps identify whether a condition is stable, worsening, or responding to treatment. For patients who already have a chronic condition, consistent monitoring can reduce complications and support better long-term outcomes.
Chronic disease prevention also includes lifestyle and risk-factor management. Tobacco use, physical inactivity, poor sleep, excess alcohol use, uncontrolled stress, and inconsistent medication use can affect chronic disease risk and disease control. A primary care visit gives patients the opportunity to review symptoms, medications, family history, lab results, and preventive screenings in one setting.
Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
July is recognized as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also referred to as BIPOC Mental Health Month. Mental Health America notes that this observance focuses on the unique strengths and challenges that Black, Indigenous, and people of color face in relation to mental health. NAMI also recognizes the month as a way to address stigma, cultural barriers, and access to care.
Mental health is relevant in internal medicine because anxiety, depression, chronic stress, insomnia, grief, trauma, and burnout can affect physical health. Mental health symptoms may also overlap with medical symptoms such as fatigue, appetite changes, headaches, chest tightness, digestive changes, poor sleep, difficulty concentrating, and changes in energy level. Primary care providers are often an important first point of contact for patients experiencing these concerns.
Culturally aware care matters because patients may describe symptoms differently based on family background, language, stigma, personal experiences, or previous barriers to medical care. Screening for depression, anxiety, sleep problems, substance use, and stress can help identify concerns that may be affecting a patient’s overall health. Mental health care may include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, sleep support, community resources, or referral to a mental health specialist when appropriate.
National Hemochromatosis Screening and Awareness Month
July is recognized as National Hemochromatosis Screening and Awareness Month. Hemochromatosis is a condition in which the body absorbs and stores too much iron. Over time, excess iron can build up in organs and tissues, including the liver, heart, pancreas, joints, and endocrine glands. Without treatment, iron overload can contribute to serious complications such as liver disease, diabetes, heart problems, hormonal changes, and joint disease.
Hemochromatosis can be difficult to recognize because early symptoms are often nonspecific. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases lists symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, abdominal pain, and loss of sex drive. Symptoms may not appear for many years, and some people have no symptoms at all.
Bloodwork is commonly used to evaluate iron overload. Tests may include serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. Mayo Clinic notes that transferrin saturation measures the amount of iron bound to transferrin, the protein that carries iron in the blood, and that a transferrin saturation value of 45% or more is often considered too high, depending on the lab.
A family history of hemochromatosis, abnormal liver enzymes, unexplained fatigue, joint pain, diabetes, or evidence of liver disease may prompt a physician to consider additional testing. Early diagnosis is important because treatment can help reduce iron levels and lower the risk of organ damage.
Sarcoma Awareness Month
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month. Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that begins in bone or soft tissue, including muscle, fat, nerves, blood vessels, tendons, and other connective tissues. Soft tissue sarcomas can develop in many areas of the body, including the arms, legs, chest, abdomen, head, and neck.
Sarcoma awareness is relevant to primary care because one possible sign of soft tissue sarcoma is a lump or swelling. The National Cancer Institute notes that a soft tissue sarcoma may appear as a painless lump under the skin. Some sarcomas do not cause symptoms until they grow larger and begin pressing on nearby nerves, muscles, or organs.
Most lumps are not cancer, but certain features deserve medical evaluation. A lump that is growing, painful, deep, firm, persistent, or associated with swelling or unexplained symptoms should be checked by a medical professional. Primary care can help determine whether a lump appears consistent with a benign condition or whether imaging, referral, or additional evaluation is needed.
World Brain Day – July 22
World Brain Day is observed on July 22 through the World Federation of Neurology. The 2026 World Brain Day theme is “Brain Health: Access for All,” emphasizing the importance of brain health awareness, prevention, education, and access to care.
Brain health is closely connected to internal medicine because the brain is affected by blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, sleep, oxygen levels, physical activity, alcohol use, smoking, medication side effects, and vascular health. CDC data on modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias identifies high blood pressure, lack of aerobic physical activity, obesity, diabetes, depression, smoking, hearing loss, and binge drinking as important risk factors among adults age 45 and older.
Symptoms related to brain health may include memory changes, headaches, dizziness, balance problems, sleep disruption, fatigue, confusion, weakness, numbness, mood changes, or difficulty concentrating. These symptoms can have many possible causes, including medication effects, thyroid disorders, vitamin deficiencies, sleep apnea, dehydration, blood pressure changes, blood sugar changes, infection, neurologic conditions, or mental health concerns. Primary care evaluation can help identify when symptoms need lab testing, medication review, imaging, specialist referral, or ongoing monitoring.
International Self-Care Day – July 24
International Self-Care Day is observed on July 24. The World Health Organization recognizes Self-Care Month from June 24 through July 24, with the date chosen to reflect that self-care can be practiced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In internal medicine, self-care includes practical health behaviors that support prevention and disease management. This may include taking medications as prescribed, monitoring blood pressure or blood sugar when recommended, staying current with lab work, following up on abnormal results, getting preventive screenings, maintaining vaccinations, limiting alcohol, avoiding tobacco, prioritizing sleep, staying hydrated, and reporting new symptoms.
Self-care is also connected to health literacy. Patients who understand their diagnoses, medications, lab results, and risk factors are better equipped to participate in their care. A primary care visit can be used to review medication lists, discuss side effects, update screenings, clarify lab results, and set realistic goals for chronic disease management.
World Hepatitis Day – July 28
World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28. The CDC notes that the date honors Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967 and later helped develop the first hepatitis B vaccine.
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver. Viral hepatitis includes hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. These viruses differ in how they spread, whether they become chronic, and how they are prevented or treated. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are especially important in adult primary care because chronic infection can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and other complications over time.
Screening matters because some people with hepatitis B or hepatitis C do not have symptoms. CDC recommends universal hepatitis C screening for all adults age 18 and older and for all pregnant women during each pregnancy. CDC also recommends that all adults age 18 and older be screened for hepatitis B at least once in their lifetime using a blood test.
Liver health may also be affected by alcohol use, fatty liver disease, medication effects, metabolic conditions, autoimmune disease, and inherited disorders such as hemochromatosis. Routine bloodwork can sometimes show abnormal liver enzymes before symptoms appear. Patients with abnormal liver tests, a history of hepatitis exposure, family history of liver disease, heavy alcohol use, injection drug use, certain sexual exposures, prior blood transfusions, or other risk factors should discuss appropriate screening with their physician.
UV Safety Month
July is commonly recognized as UV Safety Month. Although UV safety is often associated with dermatology and eye care, it is also relevant to internal medicine because ultraviolet radiation exposure increases the risk of skin damage and skin cancer. The CDC recommends using sun protection strategies such as shade, sunscreen, and protective clothing when outdoors, even when in the shade.
UV exposure can occur during routine daily activities, not only at the beach or pool. Driving, walking, outdoor exercise, yardwork, sports, and travel can all contribute to cumulative sun exposure. Patients taking certain medications may also be more sensitive to sunlight, depending on the medication. Primary care visits are an opportunity to review medication lists, discuss sun sensitivity, and encourage patients to report changing moles, non-healing spots, or unusual skin changes.
Sun protection includes broad strategies rather than sunscreen alone. Protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, shade, and limiting direct sun exposure during peak hours can all reduce UV exposure. Patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer, many moles, immunosuppression, or concerning skin changes may need further evaluation by a dermatologist.
Disability Pride Month
July is also recognized as Disability Pride Month, which is tied to the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In health care, disability can include visible and invisible conditions, including mobility limitations, sensory differences, chronic illness, neurologic conditions, autoimmune disease, mental health conditions, and long-term complications from disease or injury.
Disability awareness is relevant to internal medicine because many chronic conditions can affect daily function. Diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, chronic pain, lung disease, neurologic conditions, autoimmune disease, and mental health conditions may influence a patient’s ability to work, exercise, sleep, travel, manage medications, or complete routine activities.
Primary care can help document functional concerns, coordinate referrals, manage chronic disease, review medications, and connect patients with appropriate specialists or support services. Patient-centered care includes understanding how a diagnosis affects daily life, not only how it appears on lab results or imaging.
Park and Recreation Month
July is recognized as Park and Recreation Month by the National Recreation and Park Association. While this is not a medical observance in the same way as hepatitis or chronic disease awareness, it is relevant to adult health because regular physical activity is associated with better cardiovascular health, blood pressure control, blood sugar regulation, weight management, mobility, sleep, and mental well-being.
Outdoor activity can be a practical way to support movement, but adults should consider heat, hydration, sun exposure, air quality, and medical conditions when exercising in the summer. Patients with heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or medications that affect hydration or heat tolerance may need individualized guidance about safe activity levels during hot weather.
Walking, stretching, swimming, low-impact exercise, and time outdoors can be useful parts of a broader health plan. For patients who have been inactive, have chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, uncontrolled blood pressure, or significant chronic disease, a physician can help determine what level of activity is appropriate.
July as a Mid-Year Health Checkpoint
The middle of the year is a useful time for adults to review preventive care and chronic disease management. Important items may include annual physicals, blood pressure checks, diabetes monitoring, cholesterol testing, liver and kidney function testing, thyroid monitoring, medication refills, vaccine status, cancer screenings, and follow-up on abnormal labs or unresolved symptoms.
Many serious conditions begin with subtle changes. Persistent fatigue, unexplained weight changes, abdominal pain, chest symptoms, shortness of breath, swelling, headaches, dizziness, abnormal bleeding, growing lumps, mood changes, sleep problems, or changes in exercise tolerance should be discussed with a physician. Routine internal medicine care provides a structured way to evaluate symptoms, review risks, and determine whether additional testing or specialist care is needed.
At Alpharetta and Cumming Internal Medicine, our physicians provide comprehensive primary care for adults, including preventive visits, chronic disease management, routine lab monitoring, medication management, and evaluation of new or ongoing symptoms. If you are due for a checkup, have concerns about your health, or need help managing a chronic condition, our team is here to help you stay informed, proactive, and connected to care. (770) 475-2377
