The Power County Hospital District would like to take this time to remind our community that June is National Men’s Health Month. 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. Statistics show that men’s health is at greater risk than women. On average, men die almost 6 years younger than women and suffer higher mortality rates for all top 10 causes of death!
Men are generally less likely to visit their doctors for annual examinations and preventative services. They usually think if I’m not hurt or really sick, I don’t need to see the doctor. This is also evidenced by CDC studies that show women are 100% more likely than men to seek preventative health care services. After talking with Dr. Conover, he recommends the following important steps for men to take towards better health. It is important to discuss each of these individual activities and screenings with your own provider to adjust for personal and family history factors.
- Get at least 2 ½ hours of physical activity each week & eat a nutritious diet.
- Visit a health care professional for regular checkups and screenings, including:
- Biannual physicals at age 30 & annual physicals at age 50+
- Review blood pressure, lab tests, EKG, & rectal exams
- Prostate cancer blood test at age 40 with family history & annually at age 50+
- Colonoscopy at age 50+
- Avoid risky behaviors, like smoking, speeding, or not wearing a seatbelt.
- If you have a dangerous occupation, be aware and take necessary precautions to protect yourself with safety equipment and training.
- Pay attention to your mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
There are lots of reasons why we (men) justify putting off these various check-ups with our doctor, but it would be wise for us all to remember the old analogy that compares the body to a car. Regular maintenance on our cars like those 3000 mile oil changes, tire checks, and regular tune-ups help keep our cars running better, lasting longer, and looking great. We should remember that this same principle is true for our bodies. A periodic ‘tune-up and maintenance’ with a doctor will go a long way towards a healthier, longer life. Plus it’s a lot cheaper to take advantage of the preventative service coverage, now offered by all health plans, than to wait until a major health problem arises and needs surgery and hits your deductible!
Power County Hospital District encourages the men in our community to continue taking those simple steps, like a ‘tune-up’ with a provider for a healthier life. Father’s Day is coming up, so during that barbecue, fishing tournament, or round of golf, encourage the men in your life to be conscious of taking good care of their health this year too.