Men’s Health Published June 6, 2007 By Marilyn Leggett, RN Civilian Health Promotion Service EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- June is Men's Health Month with National Men's Health Week observed June 11 - 17. Where their health is concerned, as a group men tend not to take care of themselves. Men tend not to talk about their health needs or concerns and are often taught that they must be powerful, in control, and strong. Consequently, men are experiencing a kind of health crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention men die at higher rates than women from the top 10 causes of death including heart disease, cancer, injuries, stroke, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and suicide. In 1920, women lived, on average, one year longer than men. Now, men, on average, die almost six years earlier than women. Women are also 100% more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services than men. Depression in men is often undiagnosed contributing to the fact that men are four times as likely to commit suicide. Among 20 to 24-year-olds, males are 7 times as likely to commit suicide as females. The suicide rate for persons age 65 and above is 38.4 for men and 6.0 for women. It is believed that testosterone is linked to elevations of bad cholesterol and decreases in good cholesterol. Research suggests that men have fewer infection-fighting T-cells and are thought to have weaker immune systems than women. And by age 100, women outnumber men 8:1. It is also important to identify why men are at risk and some reasons include: A higher percentage of men have no healthcare coverage and men make only half as many physician visits for prevention as women do. Many men (and some women) do not know what their normal blood pressure is or what their cholesterol or glucose levels are. Men are employed in the most dangerous occupations, such as mining, fire fighting, construction, and (commercial) fishing. Society seems to discourage healthy behaviors in men and boys, research on male-specific diseases is under funded, and men may have less healthy lifestyles including risk-taking at younger ages. Meeting the challenge of better health may mean a longer life and a longer life of improved quality. So what's a guy to do? The answer is what men frequently are asked to do anyway: Take control. Men may lower their risk by incorporating the following tips: See your doctor, soon, for routine tests including blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose testing. As part of that visit, ask your doctor what routine health screenings you should have and how to perform self-exams for testicular and skin cancers if you don't already know how. Don't smoke; if you do, plan to stop as soon as possible. Smoking can cut your life span by as much as 13 years. Get active: Do some kind of exercise or activity such as yard work or walking the dog (vigorously) for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Finally, give in to your spouses' nagging and eat right: Eat a balance of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low or no-fat dairy products. Drink alcohol moderately; that means no more than 2 drinks per day for men. Balance work and play and get adequate amounts of sleep. And, as importantly, get emotional help if you need it. Societally, men are expected to be strong, in control, and powerful pillars of strength. Remember, you can't be that to others if you don't take care of you. Additional information is available at www.menshealthnetwork.org and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov. If you're not sure where to begin, contact Eglin's Civilian Health Promotion Service at 883-8024/8025 or the Health and Wellness Center (HAWC) at 883-8022/8023; both are located in Bldg 843.