June is National Men's Health Month

June is an important month for raising awareness about men's health issues and encouraging men to take preventative measures to safeguard their well-being. This month, encourage the men in your life to take care of their bodies by eating healthily, exercising, and preventing disease.

National Men's Health Month is an annual observance that seeks to educate men and their families about the importance of preventive healthcare and promoting healthy lifestyles. We highlight the goals of this month-long campaign and emphasize the significance of spreading awareness about men's health issues. The official symbol of Men's Health Month is a blue ribbon, and its objectives include raising awareness of preventable health issues and promoting early diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and depression. 

Men's Health Month seeks to encourage boys and men to take responsibility for their overall health by adopting healthy lifestyle choices throughout the month of June.

Why Men's Health Month is Important

On average, men die about five years earlier than women and have higher mortality rates from some cancers and heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s important, then, that men talk to their healthcare providers about what types of preventive medical tests and activities they need to stay healthy.

Men face specific health challenges that often go unnoticed or neglected. We discuss common health concerns such as heart disease, prostate cancer, mental health, and lifestyle-related issues like obesity and smoking. By highlighting these concerns, we aim to encourage men to prioritize their health and seek timely medical attention.

Learn Health Habits: Supporting the Men in our Lives

Support the men in your life by having healthy habits yourself and by making healthy choices.

• Learn how to eat healthy. Fruits and vegetables have many vitamins and minerals that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol. Manage your weight using fruits and vegetables.
• Regular physical activity has many benefits. It can help control your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and some cancers, and can improve your mental health and mood.
• Set an example by choosing not to smoke and encourage the men in your life to quit smoking. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. You lower your risk for different types of cancer and don't expose others to secondhand smoke—which causes health problems.
• Help the men in your life recognize and reduce stress. Physical or emotional tension is often a sign of stress. Manage your stress by finding support, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.

Get Regular Checkups

Encourage men to see a doctor or health professional for regular checkups and to learn about their family health history.

• Men can prepare for doctor's visits. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help identify issues early or before they can become a problem.
• It's important for men (and women) to understand their family health history, which is a written or graphic record of the diseases and health conditions present in your family. It is helpful to talk with family members about health history, write this information down, and update it from time to time.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Know the signs of a heart attack and if you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Major signs of a heart attack include:

• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
• Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder
• Shortness of breath

Encourage Men to Seek Help for Depression

Depression is one of the leading causes of disease or injury worldwide for both men and women. Learn to recognize the signs and how to help the men in your life.

• Signs of depression include persistent sadness, grumpiness, feelings of hopelessness, tiredness, decreased energy, and thoughts of suicide.
• If you or someone you care about is in crisis, seek help immediately.
• Call 911
• Visit a nearby emergency department or your healthcare provider's office
• Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) to talk to a trained counselor

Observing National Men's Health Month

Men's Health Month is an excellent time to alter your diet. This month, reduce your alcohol consumption or increase your consumption of fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kefir. You can do anything for one month, and if you do it for one month, you can do it for the rest of your life!

Utilize this month to assess your current health and consider your future health goals. Do you desire weight loss? Gain muscle? Simply consume more produce? Set small, attainable objectives and collaborate with your physician to achieve them.

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the common health issues that males face and how to avoid getting hurt! Consult the CDC for information on male health concerns.

We emphasize the importance of men taking an active role in their own health management. By adopting healthy lifestyle habits and regular screenings, men can take charge of their well-being and reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions. We encourage readers to participate in National Men's Health Month activities, such as health screenings, fitness challenges, and educational events. By spreading awareness through social media and community engagement, we can empower men to prioritize their health and inspire others to do the same.

National Men's Health Month serves as a reminder to prioritize men's health, raise awareness about common health concerns, and promote proactive healthcare practices. As a manufacturer of wireless vital sign monitoring systems for hospitals, we are dedicated to supporting men's health initiatives and providing healthcare professionals with innovative tools for early detection and comprehensive patient care. Together, let's celebrate National Men's Health Month, prioritize well-being, and empower men to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.