Men’s Health Awareness

Men’s health awareness month has recently passed, but the topic is one worth discussing year-round. Here is why: 50% of premature male deaths in the US are preventable. In addition, “men in the United States, on average, die 5 years earlier than women and die at higher rates from the three leading causes of death, heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries.” (Source)

In a recent podcast episode shared by the Inland Caregiver Resource Center, Derek Chacon discussed men’s health in an easy and approachable way. This discussion is informative and hopes to raise awareness for those facing these common struggles.

Men’s Health Awareness || Additional Statistics and Context

• Mental health issues for men are majorly underreported. Suicide is the seventh leading cause of death for adult men. (Source)
• Half of the men who die suddenly from coronary heart disease had not experienced or expressed any prior symptoms. (Source)
• 40% of men over the age of 20 are obese, exponentially increasing their risk for many diseases. (Source)
• Over 50% of men over the age of 20 have hypertension, increasing their risk for heart disease and many other ailments. (Source)
• Men are 40% less likely to attend regular checkups, allowing conditions to become severe before they’re tended to. This leads to worse health outcomes in the long run.
• Men are also much less likely to seek help for mental health challenges often due to societal conditioning and pressure. (Source)

Men’s Health Awareness || Tips for Health

While these statistics are startling, we encourage men to take them as a sign to take health into their own hands. There are many ways to do so such as:

• Make annual doctor visits a priority. Regular checkups are one of the best ways to protect yourself. Many men report avoiding the doctor for fear of diagnosis, but don’t let the fear prevent you from going. Early detection saves lives.
• Exercise. Making regular exercise a habit is linked with a longer, healthier, and better quality of life. Simple changes like going for a walk or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can work together to make a difference. 
• Skincare. Using sunscreen on a daily basis and getting suspicious moles annually examined by a doctor can help prevent skin cancer – one of the top 10 leading causes of death for men.

There’s a Lot More Where That Came From || Podcast Episode

Check out the podcast episode shared by the Inland Caregiver Resource Center, Derek Chacon discussed men’s health in an easy and approachable way. This discussion is informative and offers quick tips to improve your health or the health of a loved one through small daily changes. 

Check it out here: Inland Caregivers Corner Chat Ep1: Men’s Health Awareness