June is National Men’s Health Month. We all have different health needs, but when it comes to men and women, biological and social differences require specific focuses on health. Guys, let’s take a look to see if you are “hitting a home run” with your health.
Check the Stats:
- 13.2% of men aged 18 and over are in fair or poor health (CDC, 2021)
- Only 28.3% of men aged 18 and over met the 2018 federal physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity (CDC, 2020)
- Nearly 40.5% of men aged 20 and over are classified as obese (CDC, 2015-2018)
- 51.9% of men aged 20 and over are dealing with hypertension (CDC, 2015-2018)
According to Harvard Health, men have a lower life expectancy than women by nearly 5 years in 2017. Why is this? Part of the reason is that men are more predisposed biologically to poorer health outcomes. While this is something that is beyond a man’s control, some factors can be controlled. Compared to women, men are more likely to experience higher work stress, less social support, engage in more risky behaviors such as smoking and alcohol use, as well as visit their providers less frequently.
Men struggle with the following health concerns:
- Reproductive Health
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Low testosterone
- High Rates of Cancer
- Prostate
- Testicular
- Lung
- Colorectal
- High Rates of Depression
- High Rates of Smoking and Alcohol Use
How can you “Rack up Points” for your Health?
- Know your Risk
- Family history and genetics play a critical role in disease development. Understanding what you may be predisposed to can help you and your healthcare provider to be more aware of possible complications.
- Eat Healthy
- By adding more daily servings of fruits and vegetables, amping up fiber, protein, and healthy fats, and limiting sugar, you can decrease your risk of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and much more.
Playing sports with your buddies can help improve physical health as you get active and mental health by finding social support in your community.
Image by miapirttila from Pixaby
- Get Active
- Physical activity improves physical health by helping promote weight loss and increasing muscle mass. Physical activity can also improve emotional and mental health by lowering stress levels and boosting mood. Try to aim for 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week by doing something you enjoy. Don’t forget about those strength and balance/flexibility activities, too.
- Stay Connected
- Men experience higher rates of social isolation and negative mental health as a result of societal norms and gender stereotypes. Support from friends and family can help improve mental health and decrease feelings of depression and anxiety. Find those people in your life and embrace the support they have to give.
- Seek Preventative Care
- Screenings can help lower the risk of dying from cancer. Screening for lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer leads to early detection and treatment. The Men’s Health Network recommends all men should consider a baseline PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test at age 40. Regular screenings for colorectal cancer should begin at 45 and continue at regular intervals as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Make Small Changes
- Small daily decisions can stack up to large negative health outcomes. You can change the trajectory of your health by making daily changes such as decreasing alcohol intake and tobacco use.
With some of these tips and motivation to change, you can land some “touchdowns” for your health!
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 1). Cancer and Men. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 16). FastStats – Men’s Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Harvard Medical School. (2019, August 26). Mars vs. Venus: The gender gap in health. Harvard Health Publishing.
- Men’s Health Network. Health Facts for Men and those who love them. Men’s Health Network.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2023, June 2). Men: Take Charge of Your Health. MyHealthfinder.
