June is Men’s Health Month
Men’s Health Month is a global observance to raise awareness about health care for men and educate them on the health and wellness of men and boys. Men’s Health Week is observed each year leading up to Father’s day which is the third Sunday of June.
The official symbol for the month is a blue ribbon and the purpose is preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue.
Men’s Health Month is observed since 1992 and is the month is dedicated to enriching men’s health and wellness through a broad spectrum of screening and educational campaigns. June is also the month that we celebrate our dads and thank them for all they’ve done for us! Celebrate Father’s Day and Men’s Health Month all in one by planning a day of healthy activities to do with your dad. In short, June is for the men.
Lifestyle factors affecting men health
Tobacco
The use of tobacco is the greatest single contributor to men’s burden of disease, largely through lung cancer. Men have higher smoking rates than women across all age groups and are more likely to be daily smokers. Smoking is highest among men aged 25–34 years and is associated with socioeconomic factors such as lower education level, lower income, and unemployment.
Diet and nutrition
Low fruit and vegetable consumption is closely connected to many health conditions affecting men, such as coronary heart disease and some cancers. Men are less likely to consume sufficient fruit and vegetables and this is a major factor contributing to men’s burden of disease. Men’s poor diet also extends to other areas including greater use of salt on food and higher consumption of snack foods and red meat. Food knowledge, including cooking and preparing meals, is also an issue for some men.
Overweight or obesity
Men are more likely to be overweight and obese than women. Men have a heightened risk of obesity-related health problems due to the fact that their body fat is typically carried around the abdomen, which is more damaging to health. Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for serious health conditions, including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.
Physical activity
Regular physical activity is a protective factor against multiple health conditions, especially coronary heart disease. Among men, the prevalence of sedentary behavior is uneven across different age groups, with men over 35 years far more likely than younger men not to do any physical activity. Insufficient physical activity is also more common among men on lower incomes and those from metropolitan areas.
Alcohol
Men are more likely to drink alcohol weekly above levels that can cause short-term and long-term harm and are more likely to drink at very high levels. Major health risks due to excessive alcohol consumption include injuries or accidents in the short term and diseases including cancers, liver disease, and heart disease in the long term.
Alcohol is strongly linked with male social interaction and more commonly used by men than women to fit in socially. High alcohol consumption can be used to avoid stigmatization and conform to gender norms and is closely associated with masculinity, particularly among young men.
Illicit drugs
Men are more likely to have used illicit drugs. Men are also more likely to undertake dangerous activities including driving when using illicit drugs. Gay men and younger men are more likely to use illicit drugs than other groups of men
Set an example for others
The Healthy Man
Men are more likely to face a range of lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, risky alcohol consumption, and insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption; they have greater participation in a range of high-risk activities and use health and community services less and at a later stage in an illness.
The basic things men can do to increase their likelihood of staying healthy are fairly straightforward: don’t smoke, consume alcohol only in moderation, eat a balanced diet, and get regular exercise. Your regular checkup goes a long way in keeping you healthy now and into the future.
Increase Your Life Expectancy
Men’s life expectancy remains shorter than the life expectancy for women. Men need to take care of preventable diseases that can be slowed by medical intervention and lifestyle changes. Society has pushed men to provide for their families and appear strong. This affects their overall health as they are discouraged to look more after their health and needs. Men need to look carefully into their family history for any hereditary diseases and find out when the appropriate time to begin screening for those diseases would be.
Optimize Your Health
Keeping yourself healthy and in the best possible shape can avoid common health concerns later on in life. These healthy habits seem like a chore at first, but you’ll notice that within no time at all, you have a new lease on life and a much more enjoyable day-to-day experience.
Why not start taking care of your health in June, this could be a regular workout, quitting smoking, or eating a more balanced diet. By the end of the month, you will feel the change and be motivated to keep this change firm for the rest of the year. If you have a son, this is a great time to lead by example and demonstrate the importance and accessibility of a healthy lifestyle.
Get educated
Men have been found to be less informed about health-related issues than women, less likely to take a preventive approach to health, acknowledge health problems or seek help, and more likely to delay when they do seek help for a condition.
Take this opportunity to read about the common health issues that are specific to men and how you can prevent yourself from getting hurt! Help the men in your life recognize and reduce stress. Physical or emotional tension is often sign of stress. They can be reactions to a situation that causes you to feel threatened or anxious. Learn ways to manage stress including finding support, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.
Let’s begin taking care of your health this June. You can do anything for a month, and if you do it for a month, you can do it for life!
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