A Time to Prioritize Wellness and Awareness

Every June, Men’s Health Month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of prioritizing physical, mental, and emotional well-being for men and boys. It’s a time to raise awareness about preventable health problems, encourage early detection and treatment of diseases, and promote healthy lifestyle choices. The overarching goal is simple but powerful: to empower men to take charge of their health and live longer, healthier lives.

Men tend to have shorter lifespans than women and are often less likely to seek medical care. According to the CDC, men die at higher rates from nine of the top ten causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries. Additionally, men are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, less likely to get regular check-ups, and may experience societal pressure to ignore symptoms or “tough it out.”

Men face a unique set of health challenges that often go unaddressed, contributing to shorter average lifespans compared to women. Heart disease, the leading cause of death among men in the United States, is responsible for 1 in every 4 male deaths, and is often linked to factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and poor diet. Prostate cancer, which affects 1 in 8 men during their lifetime, remains one of the most common cancers in men, with early detection through PSA screenings greatly improving outcomes. Mental health is another critical issue; men die by suicide nearly four times more often than women yet are significantly less likely to seek professional help for conditions like depression and anxiety. Rising rates of diabetes and obesity are also a concern, with over 40% of American men considered obese, increasing their risk for complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, and cardiovascular issues. In terms of cancer awareness, men are also at high risk for lung, colorectal, skin, and testicular cancers, making regular screenings and preventive care essential. Men’s Health Month encourages men to be proactive in managing these risks through regular check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, and open discussions about their well-being.

The Michigan Men’s Health Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to men’s health advocacy and the awareness, education, research, and treatment of prostate cancer and men’s health related issues. The foundation offers guidance, funding and information for men looking to improve their health outcomes.  A health checklist, covering many of the most common conditions men face is a good guide to follow when assessing your health and what you may need to have done. You can find more at https://michiganmenshealthfoundation.org.

Organizations, healthcare providers, and communities across the country host events, offer free screenings, and share resources throughout June. One popular initiative is Wear Blue Day, where people don blue clothing to show support and spark conversations about men’s health. There are many events around the state, including a series of Dad Cafés hosted by MDHHS, CLICK HERE for the July 10th event in Muskegon, MI and CLICK HERE for the August 1st event in Benton Harbor, MI.