Opening Statement:
As all of us know, men often talk about the news, politics, and sports with their friends. Although that is wonderful and stimulating for them, what we really need to do is to help encourage men to start discussing their health and be as proactive as possible to help the many health conditions that affect them. Starting the first week in June and extending throughout Father’s Day, the nation is turning blue for Men’s Health Week and continues throughout the month of June for National Men’s Health Month.
Information and Facts About Men’s Health Week and Month
Men’s Health Week and Month aims to heighten awareness of preventable health problems. It is a time to encourage early detection, healthy lifestyles, and treatment of disease amongst men and boys. As cancer mortality is greater among men than it is among women, it is important that men are reminded to take necessary steps to protect themselves against the disease.
History
· Men's Health Week was created by Congress in 1994 to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. The bills creating Men’s Health Week were sponsored by former Senator Bob Dole and former Congressman Bill Richardson. The sponsors cited the cost-effectiveness of a shift from treatment to prevention in health care emphasis when presenting the bill. The supporters of Men's Health Week also noted that prevention requires public awareness and designating a week would spread information on preventing illnesses affecting males, which includes nationwide events and screenings.
· This month is also about encouraging the men in your life to take care of their bodies by eating right, exercising, and working to prevent disease. The official symbol for the month is a blue ribbon and the purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases including cancer, heart disease, and depression.
How To Observe National Men's Health Week and Month:
Tweak Your Diet
Men's Health Month is a great opportunity to change the way you eat. Cut back on alcohol this month or up your intake of healthy fermented foods like sauerkraut and kefir. You can do anything for a month, and if you do it for a month, you can do it for life!
Set Some Goals
Use this month to take stock of your health now and think about where you want it to be. Do you want to lose weight? Gain muscle? Simply eat more vegetables? Set small and achievable goals and work with your doctor to make them a reality.
Get Educated
Take this opportunity to read about the common health issues that are specific to men and how you can prevent yourself from getting hurt! Check out the CDC for information on health issues that men face.
Why National Men's Health Week and Month Is Important
Get it Checked Out
If you're stressing about a symptom, a busted knee, a persistent headache, it can be easy to get in a cycle of worrying about it. But going to the doctor can do two incredible things: one, it can figure out what's wrong, but two, it can keep you from worrying! Men's Health Month encourages you to get yourself checked out so you can feel better and stop worrying.
A Conversation Starter
Men's Health Month gets people talking about health, which gets people acting about health. Gyms get joined, appointments get made, and resolutions get promised. It's a beautiful thing and you should join in!
An Excuse for Pampering
Lots of things that are good for your body are also good for your soul! Play some golf, get a massage, take an extra-long nap. It's all healthy, and if anyone asks the occasion, you've got an answer at the ready: Men's Health Month!
Closing Statement:
After researching valuable information concerning National Men’s Health Week and Month, I was truly enlightened with the statistics concerning the top 10 causes of death in men each year. For myself, I have decided to be a big pain in the butt with my dad for him to follow up with his doctors, to eat healthier, and to start exercising. I told him he could start by walking with me every day.
The Top 10 Leading Causes of Death in Men Are:
1) Heart disease - 24.2%
2) Cancer - 22.5%
3) Unintentional injuries - 7.4%
4) Chronic lower respiratory diseases - 5.2%
5) Stroke - 4.2%
6) Diabetes - 3.1%
7) Alzheimer’s disease - 2.5%
8) Suicide - 2.5%
9) Chronic liver disease - 1.8%
10) Kidney disease - 1.8%
Source of Information: Various Google Searches
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!