Make a Difference in Men’s Health: Time to Check in On Male Wellness

It’s difficult to understate how far healthcare has come—even in the last few years, technology has made leaping advancements. Despite these accomplishments, we still see significant discrepancies in people’s health. For example: Did you know that men tend to live around 5 years less than women?*

Men’s health is often overlooked, chiefly by men themselves. According to a survey from Cleveland Clinic, 55% of men** say they aren’t getting regular health screenings. With June being Men’s Health Month, we’re taking a look at some of the health issues that disproportionately and predominately affect men—and providing a few helpful tips to keep you or the men in your life living happy and healthy.

 

Men’s Health by the Numbers

• 28.3% of men age 18 and older met the 2020 federal physical activity guidelines.‡
• Around 30% of men suffer a period of depression in their lifetime.^†
• Head and neck cancers are more than twice as common in men than women.^†
• Around 13% of men 18 or older currently smoke cigarettes, which can lead to serious heart and lung issues.^‡
• Men are twice as likely to experience hearing loss.^†
• 41.6% of men age 20 or older suffer from obesity.^‡
• Almost exactly half (50.5%) of men age 18 or older have measured high blood pressure (hypertension) and/or are taking medication for it.^‡

 

7 Steps for Improving Men’s Health

1. Prioritize Getting Check-Ups: Men are generally less likely to schedule regular doctor’s visits and/or seek medical care than women. Routine check-ups can detect early illness or disease, enhancing any needed treatment.
2. Eat Balanced Meals: A well-balanced diet goes a long way to benefitting your health. Your risk for health problems rises if you’re overweight, so take the steps to eat healthy.
3. Focus on Mental Health: Men often overlook mental health. Reach out for support if you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. Counseling, therapy, or talking to a trusted friend can make a significant difference.
4. Get Regular Exercise: Staying active is a vital part of keeping yourself healthy and preventing illness. Aim for 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise each day; focus on what you can do instead of what you can’t.
5. Take Small Steps: Instead of jumping right into heavy lifting or marathons, start with easier exercises like short walks or exercise videos to form healthy habits.
6. Take Your Medications: From blood pressure medication to statins, consistently taking your medications is crucial to staying healthy.
7. Get Your Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Checked: Your blood pressure and cholesterol can make a vast difference in preventing long-term illness or disease. Similarly, be sure to schedule screenings for prostate cancer and other common health issues.