Not too long ago, it was National Women’s Health Week, where women received more education and health awareness. June is Men’s Health Month where men focus on where their health is at and how to tailor health goals to fit specific needs.
June is Men’s Health Month
This month is National Men’s Health Month. According to menshealth.org, “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. This month gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.”
Men suffer from heart disease, kidney disease, prostate cancer, high cholesterol, and more. Of course, women suffer from these ailments too, but they often seek medical attention quicker and more often than men. In fact, women are three times more likely to see their doctors than men.
For this reason, men typically die at a younger age and have higher death rates for strokes, heart disease, and cancer. Men could have higher life expectancy if they regularly visited their doctor and sought medical attention instead of ignoring it.
Teenagers and men in their 20s are not exempt from needing to see their doctor regularly. Teens will poor diet and exercise habits can develop health issues early on if not taken care of. Men in their 20s tend to not eat as healthy as women in their 20s, leading to weight gain and potentially high blood pressure or cholesterol.
Men who have a family history of prostate cancer should begin getting screenings in their 30s. Here is a breakdown of how men were affected by prostate cancer from 2009-2013:
In short, men, like women, need to be proactive about their health. So, raising awareness and educating men on staying healthy can prolong and save lives.