Men's Health
Preventive health is important for men of all ages to ensure you are in your best health. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports that men are 24% less likely than women to have visited a practioner in the past year. Prevention and regular check-ups/screenings are key to a healthy lifestyle. Here are some helpful tips for how you or the man in your life can stay healthy.
Five Steps to Live Your Healthiest Life
1. Eat Healthy
- Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day
- Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol
- Eat a balanced diet to help keep a healthy weight
2. Be Active
- Be active for at least 30 minutes a day most days of the week. Include activities that raise your heart rate and breathing, and ones that strengthen your muscles.
- Help kids and teens be active for at least one hour a day. Include activities that raise their heart rates and breathing, and that strengthen their muscles and bones.
3. Protect Yourself
- Wear helmets, seat belts, sunscreen and insect repellent
- Wash hands to stop the spread of germs
- Avoid smoking and breathing other people's smoke
- Build safe and healthy relationships with family and friends
- Be ready for emergencies. Make a supply kit. Make a plan. Be informed.
4. Manage Stress
- Balance work, home and play
- Get support from family and friends
- Stay positive
- Take time to relax
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night
- Get help or counseling if needed
5. Get Check-ups
- Ask your practitioner how you can lower your chances for health problems based on your lifestyle, and personal and family health histories.
- Find out what exams, test and shots you need and when to get them
- See your practitioner as often as instructed. See him or her sooner if you feel sick, have pain, notice changes or have problems with medicine.
Important Health Screenings for Men
- Regular physical screenings with your practitioner depending on your age
- Regular vision screening
- BMI (body mass index) screening annually
- Immunizations
- STI (sexually transmitted infection) prevention and screening
- Blood pressure check annually
- Cholesterol check every five years starting at age 35
- Diabetes screening every three years starting at age 45
-
Colorectal cancer screening starting at age 50. Frequency of screening varies depending on method chosen. Talk with your practitioner about which method is appropriate for you.
- Prostate screening starts at age 50. Talk with your practitioner about whether or not this screen is appropriate for you.
These recommendations are according to Unity's Preventive Health Care Guideline created in partnership with UW Health.
For further information, check out the Men: Stay Health at Any Age guide from the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health.
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