Keeping men on top of their health

June is Men’s Health Month, so take that extra step to be more conscience about your health and scheduling a yearly health exam.

As history has shown us, men avoid a doctor’s visit at all cost. They fall, get banged up, bruised and sometimes just don’t feel themselves, and that is still not enough for them to visit a doctor. Could the long, age-old toughness that is instilled in them at a very young age be a reason most men don’t go to see a doctor?

Whatever the case, this behavior needs to change so men can reclaim their life to become better advocates for their own health. A few facts surrounding men’s health may be shocking, but it is never too late to change behavior.

The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to bring awareness to preventable and potential health problems that may be detected in men throughout their life. It also encourages men to seek regular medical advice from their doctors to curb any early onset diseases or medical issues.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • Men die at higher rates than women for the top 10 causes of death and are the victims of over 92 percent workplace deaths.
  • In 1920, women lived, on average, one year longer than men. Now on average, men die almost five years earlier than women.
  • Women are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services than men.
  • Between 70-89 percent of sudden cardiac events occur in men.

When you see facts like the ones stated above, it makes you think about being more conscience about your health and really listening to your body. Men have to take the extra steps to schedule and attend their yearly exams.

Michigan State University Extension supports men’s health and our healthy living programs help encourage young men to make healthy, life-long decisions that may affect their health by eating healthy and setting realistic fitness goals. 

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