When’s the last time you saw a doctor? If you’re a man, odds are it might have been a while. A survey by the Cleveland Clinic found that 44% of men don’t get an annual physical. Meanwhile, 44% also don’t prioritize their mental health, and 49% don’t maintain a healthy diet.
June is Men’s Health Month, and it serves as a reminder that we can do better by raising awareness about preventable health problems and encouraging men to take charge of their mental and physical health.
Education is a good place to start, because learning some of the facts about men’s health can be jarring. For example, did you know that men die nearly five years before women, on average? Their risk for cancer is also higher, with one in two men expected to be diagnosed, compared to one in three women. And they’re more likely to die by suicide: while men make up 50% of the population, they account for nearly 80% of deaths by suicide.
While these statistics are tough to read, there’s an important message here: many of these problems are preventable. By taking a proactive approach to your mental and physical health, you can lower your risk for a number of conditions and build positive habits for life.
In honor of Men’s Health Month, we’ve created a checklist to help you get started.
- Find a primary care doctor. Your primary care doctor acts as the consultant for your personal health needs. This is the person who can help you prevent potential conditions from developing, they can treat you when you’re sick and they can refer you to specialists when you need it. A primary care doctor is someone you can go to for an array of reasons, including:
- Scheduling an annual checkup
- Monitoring your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
- Keeping your vaccinations up to date
- Suggesting cancer screenings
- Diagnosing health conditions
- Prescribing medications
- Managing chronic health conditions
- Answering questions about any health concerns
- Learning your family health history and making recommendations based on it
- Get up to date on your vaccinations and screenings. Now that you’ve found a primary care doctor you trust, it’s time to follow their recommendations on the steps you can take to prevent getting sick. They can advise you about certain immunizations, which can help your immune system fight off diseases. They may also make recommendations for cancer screenings, such as a colonoscopy or mammogram, based on your age and family history. Cancer screenings can help providers detect cancer early, when it may be easier to treat.
- Make an appointment with the dentist. Dental exams should also be a part of your regular health routine. During your appointment, your dentist and their team can clean your teeth, take x-rays and examine your mouth for any signs of decay or disease, including oral cancer. Your dentist can also recommend an optimal schedule for how frequently you should make appointments for your next oral exams and cleanings.
- See your eye doctor. If you haven’t had a comprehensive eye exam in a while, add that to your Men’s Health Month list. An eye doctor can evaluate your vision and eye health and detect any possible issues. If needed, they can also talk to you about corrective lenses.
- Assess your mental health. Men are certainly not immune to mental health conditions; however, they tend to be reluctant to ask for help. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, one in 10 men experiences depression or anxiety, yet fewer than half receive treatment. If you’ve experienced the following severe symptoms for two weeks or more, it may be time to seek help, according to the National Institute of Mental Health:
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- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Feeling irritable or frustrated
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Feeling tired or low-energy
- No longer feeling interested in activities you usually enjoy
- Having trouble concentrating or making simple decisions
- Having difficulty completing tasks or activities
- Experiencing changes in appetite, weight, energy or sex drive
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal ideation, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat 988lifeline.org.
- Take care of yourself. While it’s important to stay on top of your health-care appointments, it’s just as essential to make healthy choices on a daily basis. There are some proven actions you can take to lower your risks for several chronic health conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cancer. The Cleveland Clinic lists the following steps to prevent chronic illnesses:
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- Reach and maintain a healthy weight
- Stop using tobacco products
- Use alcohol in moderation
- Eat a healthy diet
- Be physically active
- Manage stress
- Prioritize your mental health
- Get enough sleep
- Stay socially connected
- Talk to your male friends and family members about the steps you’re taking to prioritize your health. Now that you know how common it is for men to put their health appointments on the back burner, you can be a part of the solution. Too often, there’s a stigma around discussing these kinds of topics. Break the stigma. You never know what influence you’ll have just by starting the conversation.
- Put a note on your calendar to check in with yourself next June. Men’s Health Month happens once a year. Mark it down and make it part of your annual routine to revisit this list, celebrate any progress you’ve made and set goals for the coming year. By prioritizing your own health, you’re helping to move the dial already.
