Men's Health Month: Celebrate by Taking Control of Your Health

There's an ongoing crisis in men's health and well-being: Men are dying earlier than women and more men than women are dying at every age. On average, men die five years younger than women, and die at higher rates from nine of the top 10 causes of death, says Men's Health Network.

Did you know that men are at higher risk of death from heart attack, stroke, cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver disease, diabetes, kidney disease, HIV, drug overdose, and suicide?

Men's Health Month

June is Men's Health Month. Since 1994, the Men's Health Network has used this month to raise awareness of the factors causing the steady deterioration of men's health and well-being. These factors include a general lack of awareness, poor health education, and some culturally-induced unhealthy behavior patterns.

Take Control of Your Health

Research has shown that a large percentage of men have only limited contact with physicians and the health care system as a whole. Men not only fail to get routine check-ups or preventive care, but often ignore symptoms or delay seeking medical attention when they're sick or in pain. These poor health habits take their toll beginning at an early age.

This June, celebrate Men's Health Month by taking control of your own good health. Increase your awareness of preventable health problems and plan for early detection and treatment. Eat well. Exercise often. And hydrate!

10 Essential Health Screenings for Men

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Blood cholesterol

Blood pressure

Colon cancer

Depression

Diabetes

Hepatitis C virus

HIV

Obesity

Prostate cancer

Learn more about 10 Essential Health Screenings for Men from Brigham Health and visit the Men's Health Month website for resources to help increase your awareness of preventable health problems. Don’t wait! Put your health on your top priority list. Talk to your doctor about taking control of your health.