June is Men's Health Month

June is Men’s Health Month, which raises awareness of men’s health care issues and focuses on encouraging boys, men and their families to practice and implement healthy living decisions, such as exercising and eating better. On average, men in the United States die five years earlier than women and die at higher rates from heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries. During Men’s Health Month, encourage men to take control of their health and for families to teach men and young boys the following healthy habits throughout childhood.

Healthy Habits

  • To eat better, include a variety of fruits and vegetables every day for the many vitamins and minerals that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat and alcohol.
  • Regular physical activity has many benefits such as helping to control weight, reducing risk of heart disease and some cancers, and improving mental health and mood. Especially during this pandemic with stay-at-home orders, find fun ways to be active together. Adults need two-and-a-half hours of physical activity each week to see its benefits.
  • Choose not to smoke and encourage the men in your life to quit smoking. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits such as lowering the risk for different types of cancer, and not exposing others to secondhand smoke. For help to quit call your state’s tobacco quit line 1-800-784-8669.
  • Learn how to reduce stress. Physical or emotional tension are often signs of stress and can be reactions to a situation causing you to feel threatened or anxious. Ways to manage stress include finding support, eating healthy, exercising regularly and avoiding drugs and alcohol.

Encourage Men to Seek Help for Depression

Depression is one of the leading causes of disease or injury worldwide for both men and women. Learn to recognize the signs and how to help the men in your life.

  • Signs of depression include persistent sadness, grumpiness, feelings of hopelessness, tiredness and decreased energy, and thoughts of suicide.
  • Those who suffer from depression or anxiety should seek help as early as possible. If you or someone you care about is in crisis, please seek help immediately.
    • Call 911.
    • Visit a nearby emergency department or your health care provider’s office.
    • Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to talk to a trained counselor.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a heart attack. Know the signs of a heart attack and if you think you or someone you know is having one call 911 immediately. Major signs of a heart attack include:

  • Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
  • Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint.
  • Chest pain or discomfort.
  • Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder.
  • Shortness of breath.

Remind Men to Get Regular Checkups

  • Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so regular checkups help identify issues early or before they can become a problem.
  • It’s important for everyone to understand their family health history, which is a written or graphic record of the diseases and health conditions present in your family. It is helpful to talk with family members about health history, write this information down, and update it from time to time.

For more information and for resources on men’s health issues visit: https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/content.aspx?ID=10238&lvl=2&lvlid=12