Historical & Current Events dictionary
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
or NEAM [ nash-uh-nl ep-uh-lep-see uh-wair-nis muhnth ]
What is National Epilepsy Awareness Month?
National Epilepsy Awareness Month is a monthlong observance each year in the US dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy and supporting people with epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder that affects a person’s central nervous system. It can affect attention span and sleep and can cause seizures.
People with epilepsy often face discrimination, especially in education, work, and housing.
Efforts during National Epilepsy Awareness Month often involve encouraging people to learn about epilepsy and advocate for those affected by it.
The month is often symbolized by purple ribbons and the color purple in general.
🗓 When is National Epilepsy Awareness Month?
National Epilepsy Awareness Month takes place every year in November.
Where does National Epilepsy Awareness Month come from?
National Epilepsy Awareness Month was officially recognized in the US in 2003, but it has been observed in some form since 1969.
In the US, it wasn’t until 1980 that it was legal everywhere in the US for people with epilepsy to get married. Efforts to raise awareness about epilepsy often spotlight historical and ongoing discrimination and barriers for people with epilepsy.
National Epilepsy Awareness Month is typically given a new theme each year. In 2021, the theme was Remove the Filter, which aimed to help people talk openly about their experiences of epilepsy.
Examples of National Epilepsy Awareness Month
More information and context on National Epilepsy Awareness Month
Did you know … ?
- Over 3 million people in the United States have epilepsy.
- While seizures are commonly associated with epilepsy, you don’t have to have epilepsy to have a seizure.
- People often wear purple as part of raising awareness of epilepsy.
What are other words used in discussion of National Epilepsy Awareness Month?
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of National Epilepsy Awareness Month like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of National Epilepsy Awareness Month that will help our users expand their word mastery.