Neurosurgery Awareness Month has been proudly celebrated for over a decade, observed each August to highlight neurosurgery’s critical role in patient care. This American Association of Neurological Surgeons-led initiative honors innovation, research, and training that transform lives.

Neurosurgeons are essential to the treatment for many brain injury patients, performing life-saving procedures including craniotomy to remove blood clots, craniectomy to relieve brain swelling, skull fracture repair, and intracranial pressure monitoring. Emergency neurosurgical procedures are performed in up to an estimated 27% of traumatic brain injury patients, with insertion of pressure monitors being most frequent, followed by evacuation of mass lesions. Unfortunately, there are fewer than 3,700 neurosurgeons who work across more than 5,700 hospitals in the United States. (Forbes even published an article on August 18, 2025, titled Neurosurgery Awareness Month: So How Do You Become A Neurosurgeon?.)

Though the awareness month originated from professional advocacy, the U.S, government also recognizes the importance of neurosurgery as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is an important part of the National Institute of Health. Formed 75 years ago, NINDS is key to modern scientific and technological advances and awareness related to the month, e.g. The Digital Impact of Neurosurgery Awareness Month: Retrospective Infodemiology Study (2023). Additionally, former Secretary of HUD and appointee to the government’s task force handling the coronavirus pandemic Dr. Ben Carson was a pioneer in neurosurgery. His techniques for hemispherectomy and craniofacial reconstructive surgery have been influential in the field of neurosurgery.

The purpose of this month-long recognition is to educate the public, advocate for the specialty and celebrate the neurosurgical community including surgeons, residents, and patients. Celebrations include social media campaigns using #NeurosurgeryAwarenessMonth and story sharing. The theme “We are Neurosurgery: Every Patient. One Purpose” reflects the patient-first care policy.