JUNE is MEN'S HEALTH MONTH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that:

 

     > 38% of Black men 20 years and over are obese

     > 40% of Black men 20 years and over have hypertension

     > 40% of Black men die prematurely from cardiovascular disease compared to 22% of white men

     > Black men are more likely to suffer and die from preventable oral diseases (cavities, gum disease, oral cancers) than other racial groups

     > Black men have a higher incidence of diabetes and prostate cancer

     > Black men live 7.5 years less than other racial groups

     > Black men are 3 times less likely to have routine medical checkups than Black women

 

There are many easy things you can do every day to improve and maintain your health:

 

GET GOOD SLEEP. Get between 7-9 hours of sleep if you can. Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. Insufficient sleep is also responsible for motor vehicle and machinery-related accidents, causing substantial injury and disability each year.

 

TOSS OUT THE TOBACCO. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. It improves your health and lowers your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and other smoking-related illnesses. Avoid being around secondhand smoke. Inhaling other people's smoke causes health problems similar to those that smokers have. Babies and kids are still growing, so the poisons in secondhand smoke hurt them more than adults.

 

MOVE MORE. Adults need at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) every week, and muscle strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms) on two or more days a week. You don't have to do it all at once. Spread your activity out during the week, and break it into smaller chunks of time during the day.

 

EAT HEALTHY. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. They are sources of many vitamins, minerals, and other natural substances that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol. Choose healthy snacks.

 

LIMIT STRESS. Sometimes stress can be good. However, it can be harmful when it is severe enough to make you feel overwhelmed and out of control. Take care of yourself. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Find support. Connect socially. Stay active.

 

STAY ON TOP OF YOUR GAME. See your doctor or nurse for regular checkups. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help diagnose issues early or before they can become a problem. Pay attention to signs and symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, excessive thirst, and problems with urination. If you have these or symptoms of any kind, be sure to see your doctor right away. Don’t wait! Keep track of your numbers for blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), or any others you may have. If your numbers are high or low, your doctor or nurse can explain what they mean and suggest how you can get them to a healthier range. Be sure to ask him or her what tests you need and how often you need them.

 

GET TESTED!

 

     > Blood Cholesterol: Have your cholesterol checked regularly starting at age 35. If you are younger than 35, talk to your doctor about whether to have your cholesterol checked if you smoke, have diabetes or if heart disease runs in your family.

     > Blood Pressure: Have your blood pressure checked at least every two years. > Colorectal Cancer: Regular screening for colorectal cancer begins at age 50, unless earlier screenings are recommended based on family history, medical history and lifestyle. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you. How often you need to be tested will depend on which test you have.

     > Diabetes: Have a test to screen for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

     > Depression: If you've felt "down," sad or hopeless, and have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things for two weeks straight, talk to your doctor about whether he or she can screen you for depression.

     > Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Talk to your doctor about getting screened for sexually transmitted diseases caused by viruses such as HIV and Herpes.

     > Prostate Cancer Screening: Talk to your doctor about the possible benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening if you are considering having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test in which blood is drawn or digital rectal examination (DRE).

 

Particular attention must be paid to the health concerns of African American men. Get involved TODAY. Please take the time to test your knowledge about Men’s health by visiting the link below.

 

http://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/patient-involvement/healthy-men/quiz.html

 

View our June 2014 Men's Health Flyer here: