Thyroid Awareness Month: Endocrine Health Campaign Starter
Key Facts:
- Prevalence: About 20 million Americans live with a thyroid disease; women are 5–8 times more likely to be affected (ATA, 2024).
- Undiagnosed Burden: An estimated 12% of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime, and 60% are unaware of their status.
- Economic Impact: Hypothyroidism alone is linked to ~$2 billion in lost productivity annually (Endocrine Society, 2023).
- Screening Value: Targeted TSH testing in high-risk groups (women > 60, postpartum, autoimmune) yields cost-effective detection (USPSTF evidence review, 2024).
Editor's Note
This article is part of the BHM Healthcare Awareness Series, designed to provide quick, ready-to-use content and links to official resources for internal staff communications, patient education, and social media.
Feel free to copy, adapt, and share.
Observation Date
January
History & Impact
Launched in the early 2000s by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) and partner endocrinology groups, Thyroid Awareness Month spotlights the prevention, detection, and treatment of thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, and cancer. The campaign has grown from clinician-led educational sessions to nationwide screenings, media outreach, and social-media activations that encourage organizations to share symptom checklists, promote evidence-based testing, and address health-equity gaps in endocrine care.
Why it Matters
- Thyroid disorders affect energy balance, cardiovascular health, pregnancy outcomes, and workforce productivity, yet up to 60% of cases remain undiagnosed.
- Healthcare leaders who embed endocrine screening and education into population-health strategies can lower downstream costs, improve quality-of-life metrics, and support value-based-care goals.
Quick Actions for Your Organization
For Leadership
Add thyroid-function screening to annual wellness benefit designs for high-risk cohorts.
Integrate endocrine metrics (e.g., controlled TSH levels) into value-based-care dashboards.
Partner with community labs or mobile clinics to host low-cost screening events in underserved areas.
For Implementation Teams
Launch a “Know Your TSH” campaign with posters, intranet banners, and QR-linked risk quizzes.
Schedule lunchtime webinars featuring endocrinologists to review common symptoms and treatment pathways.
Share culturally sensitive patient handouts in multiple languages through EHR patient portals and onsite kiosks.
Resources
Ready-to-Use Assets
The following links provide resources & information for creating internal or external campaigns to support or promote this healthcare observance. Please vet these resources for alignment with your organization.
- American Thyroid Association – January is Thyroid Awareness Month
- Chronic Disease Coalition – January is Thyroid Awareness Month
- Accella Care – Thyroid Awareness Month: Shedding Light on Thyroid Health
- Weill Cornell Medicine – Infographic: Thyroid Awareness Month
Talking Points
Copy & Paste Friendly
“One simple TSH test can uncover hidden thyroid issues that impact energy, weight, and heart health—ask your provider this January.”
“Women are up to eight times more likely to develop thyroid disease. Early detection = better outcomes. #ThyroidAwarenessMonth”
“Download free ATA posters and launch a ‘Check Your Neck’ screening day at your facility.”
Disclaimer: Please verify all information, usage rights, and related guidelines with the official observance organizers and your organization’s policies to ensure proper alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. How can we measure success for a Thyroid Awareness Month campaign?
Track participation in screening events, percent of eligible members with documented TSH tests, and follow-up appointment rates within 30 days.
Q2. What is a simple and cost-effective way to promote Thyroid Awareness Month?
Host a 15-minute “Check Your Neck” lunch-and-learn led by a staff nurse; add a QR code that lets employees sign up for a discounted or covered TSH test.
Q3. Which low-cost engagement ideas for a Thyroid Awareness Month campaign work for multi-site systems?
Use digital signage loops, EHR secure-message templates, and break-room “symptom spotter” cards; partner with local pharmacies for on-site point-of-care TSH checks.
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