Did you know that June is National Men’s Health Month? National Men’s Health Month was established in 1994 and has been recognized within the month of June ever since then. The theme for this year is a new decade. As we enter a new decade, it is the perfect time to make changes and start out this decade on the right foot. This is especially true for men.
In general, men are less likely to take care of themselves and their health than women. Men do not see physicians for routine exams nearly as often as women. Currently, men are dying an average of 5 years younger than women and lead 9 out of the top 10 causes of death. Also, more males than females are born, but by age 35, women outnumber men. Personal health and routine care should be priority. Life is busy, and no one thoroughly enjoys going to the doctor, but routine care is very important to personal health and well-being.
We know that there are disparities, or differences, in health between men and women and there are also disparities among men. In the United States, African American men have much shorter life spans than white men and are more likely to die of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Basically, U.S. born black and Hispanic men have poorer health outcomes and life-expectancy than their white counterparts. The differences in health outcomes and seeing a physician can be caused by income, environment, behavior, social support, education, and many other factors. As we embark into a new decade, let us start caring for our personal health.
Perhaps, this Father’s Day we can gift the men in our lives with a doctor’s appointment. It does not sound very exciting, but it could be a gift that keeps on giving. Let us care for the men in our lives and help them care for their own health!
Here’s a breakdown of what men can do each decade of their life to care for their health:
20s: Every year — a physical exam (blood panel), blood pressure analysis, blood test and urine analysis, rectal exam, STD testing, self-performed testicular exam
30s: Every year — a physical exam (blood panel), blood pressure analysis, blood test and urine analysis, rectal exam, STD testing, self-performed testicular exam, electrocardiogram (EKG) for heart abnormalities
40s: Every year — a physical exam (blood panel), blood pressure analysis, blood test and urine analysis, rectal exam, STD testing, self-performed testicular exam, electrocardiogram (EKG) for heart abnormalities, prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening, hemoccult test
50s: Every year — a physical exam (blood panel), blood pressure analysis, blood test and urine analysis, rectal exam, STD testing, self-performed testicular exam, electrocardiogram (EKG) for heart abnormalities, prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening, hemoccult test
References
Brott, A., & Men’s Health Network Advisory Board. (n.d.). Blueprint for Men’s Health: A Guide to a Healthy Lifestyle. Washington, D.C.: Men’s Health Network.
Warraich, H.J., & Califf, R. M. (2019). Differences in Health Outcomes between Men and Women: Biological, Behavioral, and Societal Factors, Clinical Chemistry, 65(1), 19-23, https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2018.287334
This article was written by Alli Nelson, BS, CHES, an intern with the Purdue Extension Office. The office is located at 400 Parke Ave., Crawfordsville. Reach extenion director Monica Nagele by phone at 765-364-6363; by email ad monicanagele@purdue.edu; or online at http://extension.purdue.edu/Montgomery.
