A Man’s Good Health is His Greatest Wealth

June is National Men’s Health Month, a time to remind men of the health issues they face and what they can do to take better care of their health. Generally, men are notorious for not being proactive about their health. Reluctance about health and illness prevention is part of the reason behind Men’s Health Month. Men often need a series of subtle reminders to think about and prioritize their health. 

According to Healthy People 2030, on average, men in the United States die nearly 6 years earlier than women and are at higher risk for many serious diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer, and HIV. Only 60 percent of men go to the doctor for an annual checkup, and 40 percent won’t go until something is seriously wrong. Mental health is also a concern in men. Interventions to reduce smoking and drinking and promote healthy behaviors also can help prevent diseases and improve men’s health.

Here are some other important considerations about men’s health:

• Blood Pressure: If you have a blood pressure of <120/80 mm Hg, it is within a normal range and it increases slightly with age. It’s important to track blood pressure because high blood pressure or hypertension (130/80 mm or higher) means the heart is working harder to pump blood and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other diseases. 
• Weight: A normal body mass index (BMI) for men is 18.5 to 24.9. For example, someone who is 6 feet tall can weigh up to 183 pounds and be considered at a healthy weight. Follow up with your doctor to understand what your appropriate weight and BMI should be. Also, a preferred cholesterol range should be less than 200 mg/dL.
• Sugar: Keeping check for high blood sugar levels with an A1C test can help screen for diabetes. An A1C result below 5.7% is considered normal, 5.7% to 6.4% may be a sign of prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher may be a sign of diabetes.
• Sleep: You should strive to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep as an adult. Poor sleep habits may bring a higher risk for chronic disease. Consult with your doctor if you are having issues getting restful sleep.
• Sex: About 30 million men have erectile dysfunction (ED) in the United States. ED may be influenced by smoking, obesity, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle. Every man is unique, so talk with your doctor about the numbers and screenings right for you.

 

Resources:

Men’s Health Month 2024 Toolkit provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health: https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/mens-health-month-2024-toolkit

Men’s mental health facts:  https://mhanational.org/infographic-mental-health-men