During Men’s Health Month in June, we are encouraging our men to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of preventable illnesses such as heart disease and highlight ways to stay healthy, such as exercise and getting regular medical check-ups.
It is important to encourage men to take control of their health because men experience poorer health and die younger than women in the U.S. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, boys and men in the United States, on average, die 5.6 years earlier than women and die at higher rates from nine of the top 10 leading causes of death. For African American and Latino men, the disparities are even more pronounced.
Maybe these stats will convince you to make your health a priority:
• African-American men are 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than White males
• 36 percent of Black men are obese
• 3.7 million of all African-Americans over age 20 have diabetes
Ready to make that appointment now?
Here are the important screenings you should have based on your age:
AGES 20-39
Weight and body mass index (BMI)
How often: Annually
Blood Pressure
How often: At each doctor’s visit, but if your readings are high—between 120 and 139 for the top (systolic) number or between 80 and 89 for the bottom (diastolic) number—or if you have diabetes, heart disease or kidney problems, your physician will most likely monitor your blood pressure more often.
Cholesterol
How often: Every four to six years, unless you’re at risk for heart disease and stroke and your doctor thinks you should be tested more frequently.
AGES 40-49
Colorectal Cancer
How often: Guidelines recommend Black men start getting screened at 45 or as early as 40, either by rectal exams, fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, especially if there is a family history of colon cancer, and then every three to five years.
Blood Glucose
How often: Have this simple test every three years after age 45, but if you are overweight, your blood pressure is above 135/80 or you have a family history of diabetes, ask your doctor if you should be screened earlier.
Prostate Cancer
How often: The ACS recommends men get screened at 50, but because Black men are at a higher risk, they should get tested at 45 (especially if there’s a family history) with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, along with a digital rectal exam. Depending on the results, men should be retested annually or biannually.
AFTER 50
Echocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
How often: If you’re over 70 and have symptoms of heart disease, get one annually.
Bone Density
How often: Every year to two years after 70
Lung Cancer
How often: The ACS suggests annual screenings (with a low-dose computed tomography, or CT) if you are or were (within the past 15 years) a heavy smoker.
The Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH) reminds men that they can improve their health by seeking medical advice and taking other important steps such as making healthy food choices, staying active, quitting smoking, seeing a health care provider, and taking care of their mental health .
OMH also invites you to join @MinorityHealth for a #MensHealthMonth Twitter Chat on Tuesday, June 6, 10-11AM. The chat is co-hosted by SaludToday, the Men’s Health Network, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and ChooseMyPlate.gov. Follow the conversation with the hashtags #SaludTues #MensHealthMonth.
And on Friday, June 16, during Wear Blue Day, everyone can give a boost to men’s health by taking a photo of you and your friends, family or coworkers wearing blue and posting the photo on social media, using the #ShowUsYourBlue hashtag.
