Date
Wednesday
Apr
16

April 16

National Healthcare Decisions Day

Make sure your healthcare wishes are honored - take the time to learn more about National Healthcare Decisions Day and make your decisions today!

Yearly Date
April 16
Type
Day
Category
Health

Introduction

Join us in celebrating National Healthcare Decisions Day on April 16! This day is all about making sure that your healthcare wishes are known and respected. It's an opportunity to make sure that your loved ones understand the decisions you would want to make if you were unable to communicate them yourself. The day has been around since 2008, when it was created by a group of organizations dedicated to promoting advance care planning. So let's celebrate this important day by having meaningful conversations with our loved ones and making sure our wishes are heard!

National Healthcare Decisions Day Timeline

2006
Initiation of the Movement
The idea of National Healthcare Decisions Day was conceptualized to promote advance care planning and discussions about end-of-life care.
2008
Inaugural National Healthcare Decisions Day
The first National Healthcare Decisions Day was observed, founded by multiple organizations in the healthcare field.
2010
National Recognition
The U.S. Department of Health and Human acknowledges and spreads awareness about National Healthcare Decisions Day.
2012
Reach Expands Nationwide
Organizations across all 50 United States participated in the event to encourage people to express their wishes about healthcare decisions.
2016
Growing the Movement
Over 1,000 organizations were actively promoting National Healthcare Decisions Day, reaching out to millions of people across the U.S.

How to Celebrate National Healthcare Decisions Day

1

Organize a Health Care Fair

Host a Health Care Fair in your local community to educate individuals about the importance of making health care decisions and to provide resources for those who need help making such decisions.

2

Volunteer at a Hospital

Volunteer your time at a local hospital or health care facility. You can offer support to individuals and families who are making difficult health care decisions, and help them understand the implications of their choices.

3

Write an Article

Write an article for your local newspaper or website about the importance of National Healthcare Decisions Day and how individuals can make informed decisions about their health care.

4

Host a Discussion Group

Gather your friends and family together to discuss the importance of healthcare decisions and to share what they have learned about the process. Having a safe and open space to talk about these matters will help everyone become better informed.

5

Share Resources Online

Share resources online with others about how to make informed healthcare decisions. By sharing this information, you can help spread awareness and empower others to make the best choices for themselves.

Why National Healthcare Decisions Day is Important

A

It encourages open communication

National Healthcare Decisions Day is an important reminder to have conversations with loved ones about end-of-life care. Exploring medical issues and preferences in advance can help ensure that everyone involved are on the same page when it comes time for a decision to be made.

B

It reduces stress

Having advance healthcare directives in place can help take some of the burden off family members when a difficult decision needs to be made. Knowing what you would prefer takes away the guesswork and prevents additional stress during an already trying time.

C

It ensures your wishes are followed

By taking the time to make your preferences clear, you can rest assured that any treatment decisions will be carried out according to your wishes. This way, your medical professionals can focus on providing quality care instead of having to spend extra time examining options or getting input from family members.

National Healthcare Decisions Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Apr 15
Saturday
2024
Apr 15
Monday
2025
Apr 15
Tuesday
2026
Apr 15
Wednesday
2027
Apr 15
Thursday