Life expectancy has hit an all-time high of 78.2 years for the U.S. population, according to 2009 statistics recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But results for men still lag behind women by almost 5 years: men live to 75.7 years on average, compared to 80.6 years for women. Why is there such a gender disparity and what can be done to address it?
The key reason is that men do not take care of their health as well as women do. Women are 100% more likely than men to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive care. Each year, thousands of men die needlessly from heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other diseases, even though annual checkups and regular screenings might have found early warning signs leading to treatments that could have saved lives.
Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH and Board Member for the Men’s Health Network, says, “Men’s health is not simply a men’s issue. It affects all of society. It affects families. There is clearly an economic impact when we have unnecessary male illness, disability and premature death.”
Bonhomme says men’s health lags behind women’s for a variety of reasons: lack of awareness, lack of access to affordable care, an inability to take time off work to attend a medical appointment, an unwillingness to admit a need to see the doctor and a pervasive social attitude that men should minimize their pain.
One study found that men aged 18-29 years are particularly at risk, as 53% have no regular doctor, the highest rate reported for any other men’s age group. For women 18-29, only 33% have no regular doctor, a lower rate than young men because some women move on to obstetric or gynecological care after their pediatric years. Bonhomme says young men with no regular doctor are a particular concern, “because symptoms like abdominal obesity, higher blood pressure, and the early stages of glucose intolerance that could lead to diabetes, could be detected early and lead to better results.”
This year for Father’s Day, look for Men’s Health Week. events during the week leading up to and including Father’s Day, this year June 13-19. Governors from over 40 states have issued official proclamations to recognize Men’s Health Week. The yearly event serves as a natural reminder for men to schedule an annual physical.
Scott Williams, Vice President with the Men’s Health Network says the mission is “to reach out to men where they live, work, play and pray to promote better health.” Health fairs and awareness activities are held at community centers, churches and workplaces. Events can include health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, PSA (prostate-specific antigen blood test), and body fat as well as fitness demonstrations and healthy cooking lessons.
Timeout for Military Veteran’s Health is one example of a successful event held last year in the Redskins Locker Room at FedExField. Men benefitted from free comprehensive health screening in a private team locker room, a place they were keen to be, with activities for the whole family happening on the field. A total of 1500 members of the military, veterans and their families enjoyed the event, hosted by 23 partner organizations on a Saturday close to Veteran’s Day.
By encouraging conversations about men’s health and providing access to screening, more men will benefit from early intervention that will lead to better outcomes and reduced mortality rates. Look for Men’s Health
Week activities in your community and encourage the men and boys in your life to safeguard their health with regular checkups and preventive health care.
CONNECT THE DOTS
GE and WebMD have created the Better Health Evaluator to help people prepare for and improve communication at their next doctor’s visit. Click on Men’s Health Week or Wear BLUE to find out how to organize activities in your area. Search for a free or low cost health care clinic.
PREVIOUS POST
