As we observe Men’s Health Week, PHS wants to increase awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
Developing healthy habits early is vital to the health of all men in order to prevent disease further down the road. These include:
- Minimizing stress and getting plenty of rest
- Wearing sunscreen and minimizing sun exposure
- Limiting alcohol to no more than two drinks per day
- Avoiding smoking, secondhand smoke, and tobacco
- Maintaining a moderate weight
- Avoiding activities with a high risk of injury, such as extreme sports
- Always wearing a seatbelt when in a vehicle
- Practice safe sex by using a condom or other barrier method during sex
- Wear helmets when riding bicycles and motorcycles
Even if you don’t have any known health concerns, it is also a good idea to visit a doctor for regular checkups. It is recommended that men under age 50 should receive a medical checkup at least once every 3 years to check things such as body mass index, skin health, blood pressure, and cholesterol, as these results can help predict your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Other recommendations for men’s preventative health are:
- Getting dental and eye exams every 6-12 months
- Getting an annual flu vaccine
- For children, talk to your son’s healthcare provider about the HPV vaccine
- As an adult, get the Tdap shot. This protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Every 10 years after that, get the Td booster vaccine.
- Starting at age 50, get regular tests for colon cancer
- Around age 60, get vaccinated for conditions such as shingles and pneumonia
