World Thyroid Day is annually observed across the globe on 25th May to create awareness about the importance of Thyroid and educate about the prevention and treatment of Thyroid diseases.
Background:
i.The World Thyroid Day was established in 2008 and the first World Thyroid Day was observed on 25th May 2008.
ii. The day was launched by European Thyroid Association(ETA), the American Thyroid Association(ATA), the Asia-Oceania Thyroid Association(AOTA), and the Latin American Thyroid Society(LATS).
iii. The day was established with an aim to highlight the prevalence of thyroid diseases and to focus on the need to educate about the prevention of thyroid disease.
iv. In 2007, the members of Thyroid Federation International decided to observe World Thyroid Day on 25th May which is already observed as a nation thyroid awareness day in various Scandinavian countries.
Thyroid Diseases:
i.Thyroid disease is a common problem that can cause symptoms because of over or under the function of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is an essential organ for producing thyroid hormones, which maintain our body’s metabolism.
ii. Thyroid disorders are conditions that affect the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck.
iii. The hormones produced by the thyroid gland influences every cell, tissue, and organs. Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the gland produces too much thyroid hormone.
International Thyroid Awareness Week:
i.The International Thyroid Awareness Week is annually observed across the globe on the 4th Week of May as declared by the 11th European Congress of Endocrinology in April 2009.
ii.The International Thyroid Awareness Week 2021 is observed from 25th May 2021 to 31st May 2021.
iii.Department of Health (DOH), Philippines observes the International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW) and World Thyroid Day (WTD) 2021, with the theme “Mother-Baby-Iodine: The Importance of Iodine on the Woman and her Baby”.
