Improving men's health

In recent years, health organizations are trying to get more men to the doctor’s office and encouraging them to take better care of themselves. The goal of the Men’s Health Network is to address what it calls a silent crisis in the health and well-being of men. The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality posted billboards with the stark message that thousands of men die from stubbornness each year for lack of preventive health care. And each June, for Men’s Health Month, there’s a ‘Wear Blue Friday’ campaign the Friday before Father’s Day to raise awareness of common health problems among men and boys.

These efforts point out men’s lower life expectancy and a host of other statistics, but among the most noteworthy are that men do not see physicians as often as women and are more likely to be uninsured, according the U.S. Census Bureau. The AHRQ, the group behind the billboards, reports that middle-aged men in particular are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited the doctor within the past year.

The goal is to raise awareness for men of all ages, and online guides list prevention measures and necessary screenings for those 20 and up. But reaching men in their 40s and middle age is also a goal. Problems like obesity and hypertension, or high blood pressure, may start to show negative impacts. Doctors also suggest screenings for diabetes, cholesterol and seeing a dentist for gum disease, which affects more than half of men, according to the Journal of Dental Research. A physician can also help review family medical histories and determine what other steps should be taken.

The CDC reports that married men are more likely to go in for regular doctor’s appointments, but the hope is that men will be more involved in their health, no matter their marital status.

A quick and easy guide to preventive health care

Don’t know where to start? These guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer a good way to begin.

Practice healthy habits. Get regular exercise and eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Learn to manage stress. If you’re a smoker, quit.

Get regular check-ups. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so regular visits to the doctor can help identify issues early.

Learn the signs of a heart attack: pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back; feeling weak, light-headed, or faint; chest pain or discomfort; pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder; shortness of breath.

Seek help for depression. Many men with these symptoms don’t seek treatment.

Practice safe sex and use condoms.

Men’s Health by the percentages (from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

34.5: percent of men aged 20 and over with obesity.

32.6: percent of men aged 20 and over with hypertension

12.4: percent of men aged 18 and over in fair or poor health.

11.8: percent of males under age 65 without health insurance coverage