Men’s Health Week Begins June 14th
Father’s Day is almost here, highlighting the perfect time to celebrate the men in our lives. Unfortunately, men have a tendency to put healthcare low on the priority list, often missing preventable diseases. In an effort to promote the importance of men’s health, Congress created Men’s Health Week in 1994, celebrated this year from June 14 – 20.
The Stats & Facts on Men’s Health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 14.9% of men over the age of 18 are considered to be in fair or poor health. While there may be genetic factors influencing health for some men, there are certain lifestyle choices that may be causing some preventable health problems. Based on data from recent years, the CDC has found:
- 9% of men age 18 and over have consumed five or more alcoholic drinks in one day in the past year
- 3% of men age 18 and over currently smoke cigarettes
- 5% of men age 20 and over are considered obese
- 9% of men age 20 and over have high blood pressure and/or are taking antihypertensive medication
Many of these concerns directly contribute to the leading causes of death for men which include heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries or accidents.
Making Positive Change
It’s always been important to promote healthcare for men, but given the last year with the pandemic, it has become even more essential. Prevention of disease is always more preferred to treatment, so encouraging the men in your family and friend groups to visit a doctor regularly is a great place to start. There are also many activities planned across the United States to help promote Men’s Health Week. Various locations are distributing educational information, hosting presentations from celebrity speakers, providing free medical screenings and physical exams, and more.
If it has been awhile since your last check-up, or you’ve been putting off getting checked for potentially problematic symptoms, make the choice to put your health first by visiting Midwest Express Clinic today. All of our convenient locations offer daily walk-in hours with comprehensive healthcare services, ensuring you receive the primary care attention you need with the urgent care speed you want.
