The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. June is designated as Men’s Health Month to raise awareness of the health issues men face and how to take charge of their health. This month is dedicated to education and activities on the health and wellness of men and boys, including the physical health, mental health and social connection. During this month, individuals should take the opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.
On average, men die five years younger than women, and die at higher rates from nine of the top 10 causes of death. According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) the leading causes of death for men in the U.S. are heart disease, cancer, and unintended accidental injuries. Men are also less likely than women to be insured.
According to the CDC, men are twice as likely to have a heart attack than women. Strokes also occur more often in men than women. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer identified in men and is the second leading care of death in men. Colorectal cancer is higher in men than women and lung cancer is the leading cause of death. Men are more susceptible to developing Type 2 diabetes than women since obesity is a high-risk for diabetes and men have more visceral (abdominal) fat. Since men are more apt to suppress their emotion, they are more prone to depression and suicidal thoughts. Men are less likely to seek help for their depression and may cope with depression in other ways, such as drinking.
There are a number of things we can do to help dads as Father’s Day nears—and even more, that all of us can do to help men all year:
- Encourage him to get a physical. Most of the factors that contribute to men’s shorter, less healthy lives are preventable. And, that prevention starts with seeing a healthcare provider on a regular basis. Adult men in the United States visit primary care providers at lower rates than adult women. Establishing baselines for factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and PSA (a screening test for prostate cancer risk)—and monitoring how they change over time—will enable the provider to catch potentially dangerous conditions early, when they’re still treatable.
- Encourage him to get physical. The benefits of physical activity on health outcomes are extensive, and many people find it difficult to get motivated for physical activity on their own. Rather than simply telling your dad to exercise and then hoping that he will, do it with him. Encourage him to join a recreation league in your community, sign up for group or personal training sessions to get fit, or simply make a routine out of regular walks. Walking with a spouse, family member, neighbor or even a pet, makes it much more enjoyable. Simple, yes, but not always easy.
- Let him know you care. One reason men disregard their own health is that they’re too busy taking care of everyone else. What they don’t realize, however, is that if they die early, they’ll be hurting the very people they’ve worked so hard to protect. So remind him that you and your other family members love him and need him to be alive and healthy for as long as possible.
- Spread the word! Share this information not only with your loved ones, but with friends, co-workers, and others.
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