On the 15th-21st of June, the world celebrates Men’s Health Week. During this week, communities around the globe bring awareness to health issues that especially affect men, focusing on getting them to become more aware of problems they may have or could develop and do something about them now. Abarca goes all in to support the cause for the better care of the men in our communities and uses this week as a reminder for men to take steps to be healthier, and let them know that they don’t have to do it alone!
Last year the health observance week focused on Diabetes in men. This is a disease that becomes present in men much more than women and can develop complications in male bodies at a higher rate than in females. This means men are more likely to have amputations due to the disease and in the worst cases, die in higher numbers than women. While much work has been done in the diagnosis and fight against Diabetes, awareness is the most important key to fighting the rise of this disease. The more people become aware of it, the more likely they are to make healthy changes and stop or delay the onset of diabetes.
Let’s remember that along with a healthy diet and medications, regular physical exercise is an essential part of managing diabetes or dealing with prediabetes. It has been proven that when the body is active, the body’s cells become more sensitive to insulin, and thus, the treatment will work more effectively.
Each year the health community uses Men’s Health Week to let men know that it’s okay to talk about their health issues and not just ignore them and push them to the side. Knowledge is power, after all!
So, how can you help? Set an Example with Healthy Habits:
According to the CDC, you can support the men in your life by having healthy habits yourself and by making healthy choices.
- Eat healthily and include a variety of fruits and vegetables every day in your diet. Fruits and vegetables have many vitamins and minerals that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.
- Regular physical activity has many benefits. It can help control your weight, manage diabetes, reduce your risk of heart disease and some cancers, and can improve your mental health and mood. Find fun ways to be active together. Adults need 2½ hours of physical activity each week.
- Set an example by choosing not to smoke and encourage the men in your life to quit smoking.
- Help the men in your life recognize and reduce stress.
Remind Men to Get Regular Checkups
Encourage men to see a doctor or health professional for regular checkups and to learn about their family health history.
It comes with no surprise that this year’s Men’s Health Week theme is ‘Take Action on Covid-19′.
For men
- take action to avoid spreading the virus
- take action to get the best out of lockdown and the ‘new normal’
- take action to beat ‘underlying conditions’.
Abarca is committed to finding better ways to encourage the men in our lives to take care of their health, whether it’s your husband, partner, dad, brother, son, or friend you can help support their health and safety. This week let’s promote healthy bodies, physical exercise, good diets, and regular visits to the doctor so that we may help prevent and catch diseases early on.
More Information:
- Leading Causes of Death in Males
- Cancer and Men
- HIV Among Men in the United States
- Preconception Health Information for Men
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This blog was written by Lillian Colón López, MPH, Pharm. D., Clinical Client Advisor at Abarca Health.