Your health should be one of your top priorities. After all, you only get one body, and it can only sustain so much. You need to stay active and eat a healthy diet to ensure your body receives the vitamins it needs. Everyone’s health is of utmost importance. When it comes to June, we take this time to recognize men’s health. Every June, we celebrate National Men’s Health Month.

The purpose of National Men’s Health Month is to raise awareness of the preventable health conditions many men suffer from and to encourage early detection, treatment, and living a healthy lifestyle. Men die five years younger than women, dying at greater rates from nine of the top ten causes of death. While we don’t quite know why men are more likely to live shorter lives than women, we do know what it takes to help men live longer, healthier lives. That is why National Men’s Health Month exists.

Fitness Nation cares about the health of all our members, which is why we will be celebrating National Men’s Health Month this June. We encourage all our members to participate, as well, whether by engaging in healthy lifestyle habits, sharing vital information, helping the men in your life with early detection, and so much more. If you are looking to get active to improve your own health, join Fitness Nation today.

What is National Men’s Health Month?

National Men’s Health Month occurs every June. This month also coincides with Men’s Health Week, which occurs during the week before Father’s Day (June 15-21 in 2020), and Wear Blue Friday, which we celebrate the Friday before Father’s Day. This month is anchored by Congressional health education and screening programs with the hopes of spreading awareness of the preventable health conditions men face and ways to live a healthy life. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed into law National Men’s Health Week to be the centerpiece of this month.

National Men’s Health Month exists as a time to spread awareness about the potentially life-threatening health conditions men face. As we previously stated, men live an average of five years less than women do. They also have higher rates of death from nine of the top ten causes of death. A key reason for this may be because men are less likely to visit their primary care provider than women, so they are less likely to detect health conditions early. Whether it is due to traditional views of masculinity or being uncomfortable with exams, many men are not receiving the medical care they need.
The goal of National Men’s Health Month is to encourage men to take a more proactive approach when it comes to their health. The hope is by spreading key facts about men’s health, more men will engage in healthy lifestyle choices, and take steps to improve their health.

Men’s Health Facts

• 12% of men over 18 have fair to poor health.
• Heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries are the leading causes of death for men.
• Women are 100% more likely to visit their doctor for an annual checkup than men.
• 1 in 2 men are diagnosed with cancer compared to just 1 in 3 women.
• By the age of 100, there is one man for every eight women.
• 36.6% of men over the age of 20 are obese.
• 33.1% of men over the age of 20 live with hypertension.
• Men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women. Depression in men often goes undiagnosed.
• 20.6% of men age 18-25 had a mental illness in 2018.
• 28% of U.S. men reported not having a personal doctor.
• 30.8% of men over the age of 18 admitted to having more than five drinks in one day over the last year, while 15.7% currently smoke cigarettes.
• 21.1% of men were physically active in 2018.

As you can see, men are at risk of several different conditions. Poor lifestyle choices also worsen their health and put them at risk.

Celebrating

Men’s health should be a priority for everyone, not just for men. After all, we all either have a father, brother, husband, boyfriend, or close friend. We want them to live long and healthy lives. Throughout National Men’s Health Month, you can do your part to raise awareness over men’s health issues and encourage healthy lifestyle choices.

Encourage Physical Activity

One of the best ways to keep your body healthy is by getting physically active. Whether that is by taking a walk or run around the neighborhood, playing sports, or lifting weights, being active is one of the most effective ways of preventing harmful conditions. Encourage the men in your life to get physically active. If they lack motivation, offer to get active with them. You can join a local gym together, join a local sports recreation team, or simply just take walks together.

Encourage Regular Physicals

While being physically active is crucial, so too is going to your healthcare provider for a yearly physical. Most things that lead to men’s shorter lifespans are preventable. As we stated previously, men are far less likely to visit their healthcare provider than women. During these physicals, doctors can assess a man’s health and detect any concerning health conditions before they become serious problems. They will be able to create a baseline for factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and more, which will help them identify dangerous conditions and recommend treatment earlier.

Improve Diets

What you put into your body also impacts your health greatly. Fast food, smoking, alcohol, and so much more can affect your body. Use National Men’s Health Month to tweak your diet by eating more nutritious meals, quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, and more. Start healthy eating and drinking habits in June to continue throughout your life.

Spread Information

Far too many men do not understand the real health threats they face daily. Unhealthy lifestyle choices increase their risks of developing life-threatening conditions. By spreading crucial information about men’s health, you can inspire countless individuals to make a commitment to improving their physical health, whether through physical fitness, eating better, or seeing their doctor. National Men’s Health Month is a chance for you to raise awareness about the preventable health concerns that threaten men.

This June, Fitness Nation encourages all our members to celebrate National Men’s Health Month. Everyone can participate and spread information about men’s health. Encourage them to exercise more and eat better. Fitness Nation is here to help everyone live healthier lives.