As we celebrate Father’s Day, many men reflect on their own childhood experiences with their dads and how they are raising their own children.
All kids get hurt or sick from time to time. In some households, when a boy was sick or injured, they were told by their fathers to “man up” or “tough it out,” and that boys don’t cry.
Those statements can have long-lasting effects that can cause serious harm to not only a man’s mental health, but also to his physical well-being. If that cycle isn’t broken, the harm can result in generational trauma and poor health habits.
A 2019 study by Cleveland Clinic showed what many physicians have known for years: Most men will avoid going to the doctor and skip routine screenings. The study found 65% men surveyed said they wait as long as possible to see a doctor, even if they have chronic symptoms or an injury.
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June is Men’s Health Month, coinciding with Father’s Day. The observance focuses on encouraging men to take charge of their health, specifically for such conditions as heart disease, prostate and testicular cancers, mental health and accident prevention. In June, men are encouraged to schedule routine screenings and checkups with their physicians.
This year’s theme for Men’s Health Month is “Partners in Care: For Better Lifespans Across the Lifespan,” highlighting the role families, communities and health-care providers play in supporting healthier outcomes for men.
The statistics on men’s health in the U.S. paint a grim picture. The leading causes of death for men in the U.S. are heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries, with heart disease and cancer accounting for 41% of all male deaths. Men are also four times more likely to die from suicide than women, with suicide ranking as the eighth leading cause of male deaths in the U.S.
But many of these deaths are preventable with partnerships with health-care providers and lifestyle changes.
Adopting healthy routines — physical and mental — and keeping up with regular appointments with general practitioners as well as routine health screenings such as prostate exams and colonoscopies, save lives. The American Heart Association recommends engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week and adopting heart-healthy eating habits. If 150 minutes sounds daunting, try breaking it up into smaller segments, such as walking for 10 minutes twice a day.
Physical activity has many health benefits, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers. It can also strengthen muscles and bones, reduce the chance of falls and improve sleep.
Physical activity also has mental health benefits, reducing stress hormones and increasing endorphins, the body’s natural mood enhancers. Multiple studies have shown regular exercise can help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The bottom line is, don’t wait until your health is in crisis mode before reaching out to a health-care professional.
During this Men’s Health Month, break the cycle, normalize partnerships with health-care professionals and get the exams and screenings needed to live longer, happier, healthier lives.
Dr. Mohammad H. Wadud, DO, is a family medicine physician with Franciscan Physician Network in Dyer. The opinions are his own.
