June is Men’s Health Month, a national observance used to raise awareness about health care for men and focus on encouraging boys, men and their families to practice and implement healthy living decisions, such as exercising and eating healthy. Consider these statistics:
- 350,000 men die of cardiovascular disease each year (CDC).
- More than 700,000 men are diagnosed with cancer each year; 300,000 of those cases will result in death (Men’s Health Resource Center).
- Percent of men aged 18 and over who had five or more drinks in 1 day at least once in the past year: 30.9% (CDC).
- 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. It’s the second leading cause of death in men (Cancer.org)
- More than 60% of adult American men are overweight or obese (National Institutes of Health).
In addition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men in the United States, on average, die 5 years earlier than women and die at higher rates from the three leading causes of death, heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries. There are many factors that contribute, including a reluctance to visit a doctor or seek healthcare services as needed or recommended. Lifestyle choices and habits also lend to health-related issues, many of which can be avoided.
Ways to Participate
- Participate in Wear BLUE Day on Friday, June 17, an awareness campaign that was created by Men’s Health Network (MHN) to spotlight male health and to encourage men to live longer and healthier lives
- Share MHN Health Fact Sheets and Information
- Need a checkup? MHN provides a recommended schedule of check-ups and screenings in Get It Checked: Checkup and Screening Guidelines for Men
- Review some facts and resources provided by the Centers for Disease and Prevention on men’s health
- The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (HHS OMH) offers social media graphics you can incorporate in your social media posts
Participate with Social Media
Raise awareness about Men’s Health Month and the importance of health care for men on social media. Use the hashtags #WearBlueDay, #MensHealthMonth and #MHM2022.
Additional Resources