June is Men’s Health Month
Take an active role in your healthcare!

Men’s Health Month is observed during the month of June each year, with the week leading up to and including Father’s Day designated as National Men’s Health Week.  Activities are coordinated by the Men’s Health Network to increase awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease.  

Data has shown that men’s infrequent utilization of health care coupled with poor health habits contribute to a shorter, less healthy lifespan than women. The need to be robust and masculine can compromise men’s health.  Men tend to have poorer diets, smoke and use tobacco products more frequently, have a higher incidence of high blood pressure, drive more recklessly and use seat belts or safety helmets less often than females.  In addition, men have a high incidence of stress and depression.  

The 2010 Tennessee Men’s Health report Card, published by the Vanderbilt Institute for Medicine & Public Health, indicates that the leading causes of male deaths in TN are:

1.)Heart disease
2.) Cancer
3.) Accidents/Unintentional injury
4.) Chronic lower respiratory disease
5.) Stroke.  

All of these causes of death are impacted by health behaviors.  Make it a priority to improve your life expectancy and quality of life by taking an active role in your healthcare.

During Men’s Health Month, we encourage all men to take a personal health inventory and develop a plan for improving their health.  To start, first assess your current health status and identify behaviors and other factors that may put you at risk for injury or disease.           

• Are you currently healthy? (chronic or acute illness?)  
• Identify risky behaviors (diet; tobacco, alcohol, drug use/abuse?)      
• What causes stress in your life?  (work, children, parents, money?)     
• Learn about your family history.  (major medical conditions, cause of death, age of disease onset, ethnic background?)

Positive lifestyle changes are essential when striving to improve our health. Develop a plan following these steps.

• Diet - Eat healthy

1. ovariety of fruits, veg., whole grains

o   limit foods & drinks high in sugar, salt, fat & alcohol

o   breakfast is most important meal of the day

o   balanced diet

• Exercise - Be active

o   some form of exercise for at least 2½  hr./week

o   include activities that raise your breathing & heart rates & activities that strengthen your muscles

• Safety - Protect yourself

o   frequent hand washing

o   wear helmets

o   avoid smoking or breathing other people’s smoke

o   build safe, healthy relationships with family & friends

o   be ready for emergencies (be informed, make a plan, have supplies ready)

• Emotional Health - Manage stress

o   balance work, home & play

o   develop a support system of family & friends

o   take time to relax

o    develop a hobby

o   get 7-9 hrs. of sleep each night

o   maintain a positive attitude

o   get help or counseling when needed

• Prevention - Get check-ups

o   find out what preventive health screening tests, exams & immunizations are recommended for your age & then get them

o   ask your health care provider how you can lower your chances for health problems based on your lifestyle & personal & family history

o   do not delay seeing your health care provider if you feel sick, have pain, notice changes in your body or have problems with medications

o   if you are uninsured or unable to afford health care, seek out health resources in your community

2012 Tri-Cities Symposium on Men's Health

The Men’s Health Network along with Mountain States Health Alliance are sponsoring the  “Tri-Cities Symposium on Men’s Health”  to be held on Friday, June 22, 2012 from 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM at the Millennium Centre in Johnson City.  and participants will learn about the health of boys and men in Tennessee, public policy regarding healthcare, cancer awareness, corporate wellness and other issues relating to men’s health.  Congressman Phil Roe, MD is the scheduled Keynote Speaker.  The event is free of charge and lunch will be provided.   Reservations are encouraged, but not required, and can be made online at www.menshealthconference.com. 

For more information contact Mike Leventhal at (865) 406-0129 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .   

Men , take charge of your health: take your health inventory, develop and actually follow your health plan, and make learning more about your health a priority. Women, take time to let the men in your life know that you care about them by encouraging them to take these simple steps to improve their health and their life. 

Information provided by:

Becca Wright, RN (Maternal/Child Health Director)
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