Men's Health Month: Prioritizing Well-Being
June is Men’s Health Month, a time to spread awareness about men’s health and encourage preventive measures. It's essential to recognize that well-being impacts not only individuals but also their loved ones. Obviously, I am not a man, but we all have men in our lives—husbands, fathers, brothers, friends. Let’s explore a few men's health issues that we will dive deeper into as the month progresses.
1. Prostate Health
Prostate health is a critical issue during Men’s Health Month. Did you know that prostate cancer affects many men? Each year over 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 30,000 men die of the disease. However, if caught early enough prostate cancer is often very treatable. Regular screenings are key to catching this disease early. You can read more information on prostate cancer by visiting the Men’s Health Network.
2. Mental Health Matters
We talked about mental health in general in May, but men's mental health is a critical public health issue. Men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women with suicide being the 7th leading cause of death among men. Over 6 million men suffer from depression each year but are often underdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Depression in men looks different than it presents in women. Men symptoms include fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work and/or hobbies, as opposed to the most common symptoms in women like feelings of sadness or worthlessness.
3. Alcohol Abuse
Men face higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations. According to Mental Health America, 1 in 5 men will develop alcohol dependency in their lifetime, and male veterans experience twice the rate of alcohol and drug use when compared with women. In the US in 2022, of the 29.5 million people ages 12 and over with Alcohol Use Disorder, 17.4 million were male. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of various cancers, liver disease, heart disease, depression, stroke, and interferes with overall health. 48.6 percent of liver disease deaths in men in 2022 involved alcohol, and four percent of cancer deaths were attributed to alcohol consumption.
Men and Health Care
The Cleveland Clinic recently surveyed more than 500 men regarding their use of health care resources. Here are a few statistics from that survey which you can find here:
· Annual physicals are skipped by 2 of 5 men
· More than two in five men only visit the doctor when they believe they have a severe health problem
· Over half of men do not discuss their health
Below are a few websites with more information and helpful tips on men’s health
1. 5 Tips for Men to Stay on Top Of Their Health During Men’s Health Month ...
2. Men’s Health Month: Five Things to Know
3. The Birth of Men's Mental Health Month - pockitudes.com
4. 13 Must-Know Men’s Health Tips
Men's Health Month is an opportunity to prioritize well-being, both physically and mentally. Share this information with the men in your life, and let's work together to promote healthier, happier lives.
Remember, it's not just about men—it's about all of us.