Lyme Disease Awareness Month: Difference between revisions

Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Observed by	Canada, United States, and others
Liturgical color	lime green
Type	International
Date	May
Frequency	annual
First time	1980s[1]
Related to	Lyme Disease Awareness Day – May 1

Lyme Disease Awareness Month is observed every May internationally, especially in countries where Lyme disease is common.^[2][3] Lyme disease is caused by a tick-borne parasite, and Lyme Disease Awareness Month includes initiatives aimed at prevention and early identification of possible Lyme disease cases.^[3][4][5]

Cases of Lyme disease have been rapidly increasing in recent years,^[6] which is expected to continue.^[7] In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control reported that Lyme disease was the fifth most common of a list of nationally notifiable diseases in the United States.^[8] Both public awareness campaigns and healthcare provider campaigns exist that aim to reduce the incidence of Lyme disease.^[4]

Lyme Disease Awareness Month is observed during May in Canada^[9] and the United States,^{[2][10][3][8]} and also in other countries where Lyme disease is common.^[11][1] Lyme Disease Awareness Day is also observed on May 1 every year.^[12] During May, Lyme disease prevention, awareness or research may also be discussed in parliaments or senates.^[9][2]

Lyme disease information including and prevention tips are reported in local and national news in affected regions, with some organizations providing digital media toolkits.^[5][13]

Public buildings or landmarks like Niagara Falls are often lit up in lime green for Lyme Disease Awareness Month^[14] or World Lyme Disease Day, which is also during May.^[15] Lime green ribbons are used to raise awareness of Lyme disease.^[16]