Early action can support better healing and better outcomes.
Wound Healing Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about wound prevention, early intervention and the importance of appropriate wound care.
Wounds can happen to anyone. Some heal quickly, while others can be difficult to heal or may require specialized care. Knowing your risk, protecting your skin and taking action when a wound occurs can help support healing and prevent complications.
Why wound healing matters
Our skin has an incredible ability to protect us and repair itself. But many factors can affect how well a wound heals.
Some people are at greater risk of developing wounds or experiencing delayed healing because of their health, age, mobility, circulation, nutrition or other factors. Even a wound that seems minor can become more serious if it is not recognized and treated appropriately.
The earlier a wound is identified and appropriate action is taken, the better the opportunity to support healing and prevent complications.
Wounds Canada promotes a prevention-first, stepped approach to skin health and wound care:
- Prevent: Protect healthy skin and identify people at risk for wounds.
- Act early: If a wound occurs, timely assessment and appropriate care can support healing.
- Get additional support: Long-standing, complex or difficult-to-heal wounds may require specialized assessment and care.
- Support quality of life: When a wound cannot heal, care should focus on comfort, function, dignity and quality of life.
From awareness to action
Understanding wound healing is the first step. Knowing what to do next can make a difference.
1 - Know your risk
Understand what puts your skin at risk
2 - Protect your skin
Healthy skin is the first line of defence
3 - Recognize changes
Know when something isn't healing as expected
4 - Act early
Early assessment can help prevent complications
5 - Follow up
Follow your care plan and stay connected
The goal?
Prevent wounds where possible, support healing when wounds occur and help people live well when wounds cannot heal.
Everyone has a role to play
Know your risk. Protect your skin. Speak up early.
Learn how to protect your skin, recognize changes and participate in your wound care. If you have a wound that is not healing as expected, don't wait for things to get worse before seeking advice.
Explore:
- A wide variety of Wounds Canada resources for Patients and Caregivers
- Caring for Your Feet: Safe Foot Care if You Have Diabetes
- Know your rights: Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities in Wound Care
- Find support via our clinic directory
- Patient and caregiver story series: Our Voices, Our Stories
Health-care professionals
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- A wide variety of Wounds Canada resources for Health-care Professionals
- Best Practice Recommendations for Skin Health and Wound Management 2025
- BPR Briefs
- Build knowledge and confidence through Wounds Canada Institute education and training
- Addressing Wounds BPR podcast series
- Our publications, Wound Care Canada and Limb Preservation Journal
- The resources in the patients and caregivers section of this webpage are helpful tools when providing education and instruction to your patients on self-management techniques
Advocates and policy makers
Make prevention and timely care possible.
Better wound outcomes depend on systems that support prevention, early identification, appropriate treatment and access to evidence-informed care.
Use Wounds Canada resources to support planning, policy and system-level improvements in wound care.
Explore:
Support better wound care
Preventing avoidable wounds and improving wound healing takes more than awareness. It takes education, evidence, resources and access to appropriate care.
Wounds Canada is a charitable organization dedicated to advancing skin health and excellence in wound management across Canada. Through education, advocacy, research, patient resources and community-building, Wounds Canada works to help prevent wounds before they occur and improve care for people living with wounds.
Your support helps us continue this work.