Since its inception in 1994, the month of June represents National Men’s Health Month and the week leading up to Father’s Day has been devoted to National Men’s Health Week.
According to the Men’s Health Month organization website, the reason men’s health week came to fruition was to raise awareness about common health problems in the male population but also to improve prevention and early detection of health conditions impacting men. They very candidly point out that not only is men’s health important to men, it also affects wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters too. Raising awareness about choosing healthy lifestyles, getting annual check-ups and learning more about heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other health conditions can make a difference.
According to the Men’s Health Network …
- On average men live about 5 years less than women
- Men have a higher death rate for most leading causes of death including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and suicide
- 1 in 2 men will develop cancer
- Approximately 30,000 men in the U.S. die from prostate cancer each year
- Men make ½ as many physician visits for prevention as women
- Men are more likely to be uninsured than women
These points express the importance of men being more aware of their health and engaging in educational and preventative measures surrounding their health.
Friday, June 15, 2018 is also National Wear Blue Day so mark your calendar and plan to wear blue to show support for grandfathers, dads, brothers, uncles, sons, nephews and all males nationwide.
The Men’s Health Network encourages people across the United States to:
- Wear blue to remind men of the importance of staying healthy
- Wear blue to become part of a national movement
- Wear blue to let men know we care
- Wear blue to keep men healthy and alive
For additional education and resources about Men’s Health, visit the following websites:
- http://www.menshealthmonth.org/
- http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/wearblue/
- http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/wearblue/friday/
Show support for all of the men and young boys in your lives by wearing BLUE on Friday, June 15th in honor of Men’s Health Awareness.
